Upper arm rash

[BDBJ]

Since joining a new Gym I have aquired a small rash on the outside / back of my right upper arm (around the tricep area)  I believe this to be from contact with the gym pad on the preacher curl support and can only assume it is some kind of viral / bacterial infection.  (I now avoid this machine of use a towel).  Small redened raised areas give way to slightly larger swellings that contain a clear fluid if broken.  approx 5 at a time.  If left untouched 'pimples' will dissipate in a matter of days if broken they will take much longer to clear leaving a dry skin patch.  Symptoms have persisted for approx 2 months now with no signs of clearing.  Any advice appreciated.

[phyigdvo]

I was a wrestler for over a decade from middle school through high school and into college.  The wrestling mat is a filthy petri dish that contains literally every nasty gym disease you could contract.  I saw my dermatologist more than my pcp.

It could be eczema like the vanessa said... It could also be bacteria, it could be fungus, it could be a parasite... I once had ringworm and impetigo at the same time so the 'giveaway hollow circles' that a dermatologist would normally diagnose the ringworm with were filled in with the impetigo... that was a fun time of my life while we diagnosed the mystery rash.

Anyways by the time I got to college I had down a pretty effective regimen of self treating almost any "red spot" that popped up that wasn't supposed to be there, starting with the mildest treatment and moving to stronger stuff... and then if I made it through the chain and it was still there, only then did I really have to seek medical attention... and by then it was pretty narrow what was left to treat.

But this cures almost anything common you might catch at the gym:

1. Could just be a patch of dry skin.  Start with a moisturizer lotion like Jerkins for a couple days, see if it helps... or if it looks like just regular acne go that route.
2. If it doesn't look like acne, next Get some selson blue shampoo, rub it on the area like 10 minutes before you shower. Try that for a couple more days.
3. Still there?  Kick it up to some Lamisil or lotrimin... try those for a couple days.
4. Still? Alright maybe some bacitracin cream or Neosporin... try that for a few more days

That will get rid pretty much any of the more common fungus or bacteria. If it's not going away after that you should see someone asap.

Something like scabies you NEED help as soon as you figure out what it is.
You literally have to put every piece of clothing you own in a trash bag for 72 hours.  Then once you take it out, you have to throw it in the drier on high heat.  You have to buy 3 new sets of bed sheets so you can sleep in one and then bag it for 72 hours. And the doctor will give you this crazy cream that you cover every inch (literally) of your body with to kill every last one.  They are nasty. If like any survive they can just keep spreading around.

Anyways... I'm not a medical professional, so take this however you want.  I hope it all works out for you.

[Vanessa Lacuesta]

Hi

This may be a case of contact or allergic dermatitis. You may be sensitive to the material used in gym equipments. Dermatitic skin conditions usually present with redness and slight blistering of the skin. Itchiness is a dominant factor. The itch scratch cycle may lead to a wet or weeping rash as in the case of eczema.

Wash the area with a mild cleanser and keep the area dry always. Use Cetaphil cleanser to keep the area from being irritated. There is really no single definite medical treatment for eczema. Topical corticosteroids may help control the flare.

Avoid using the gym equipment or at least keep your skin well covered when in the gym. Also, do not allow your wet gym clothes to dry on the skin. Take a shower after gym.