Rash that won't go away

[whatsup69]

So here are the symptoms:
Rash in two areas around rib cage - first few years (yes, years) was not raised or itchy only red and roundish in shape. Was perscribed steriod type ointment years ago that did not help at all...recently was given anti-fungal cream which morphed the rash to super itchy, raised and it now aches.
What type of rash NEVER goes away and then changes like that?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Such annular lesion on the trunk can be due to tinea corporis, erythema annulare centrifugam, pityriasis rosea or nummular dermatitis. Diagnosis can be confirmed after a KOH examination of the skin scrapings and biopsy of the area.

My sincere advice is to get it examined from a dermatologist. It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.

[whatsup69]

Oh, forgot...yes he had chicken pox as a child. We have considered shingles. If I can convince him to go back to the doctor, I am hoping he is "pushy" enough to have them take a scrapping to test it.  Did they do this for your hubby?

[whatsup69]

Sounds very familiar.  This is my hubby's "situation" too.  We also thought ringworm at first, but it isn't.  Doesn't look like eczema, psoriasis or many other things we've looked up.  We are venturing out on our own for an answer because, like you, the doctors aren't getting us solutions.  The closest thing we have found that fits his "pattern" pityriasis rosea. Even then though, it doesn't go away on its own.

As for a contact irritant, my hubby wears cotton shirts and his rash is up on his rib cage so a metallic reaction can't apply to his.  You would think his allergy meds would prevent your hubby's "reaction" which makes me ask...has the metal button guess been right for you guys?  Has it gotten better?  Have you tried cortizone creams, moisturizers, oils or any other home remedies or OTC stuff?  

We are getting desperate now that it is itching. He is getting very frustrated.

[tschock]

The same one that my hubby has!

It started out as a small thing...no bigger than a dime in area.
Now it's covering his entire stomach...it's flaking, scabbing, bleeds a little...ever since he was given steroid creams!
Until that time it was just a red blotchy type rash.

One doctor told him that it was ringworm...uh huh...so why, after so many years haven't I got it? Ringworm is super contagious and is often spread by cats.
Second doctor told him that it was eczema. Sorry...doesn't look anything like mine...but who's to say it isn't? The creams didn't work...made it worse.
Third time he was told that it's psoriasis...again...creams made it worse.

Fourth time he went in he was told that because it started "exactly" where the metal button on his jeans touches,that it's an allergic reaction to metal...so we bought him longer underwear.
He has COPD so he takes allergy meds with his inhalers...if it were an allergy wouldn't the pills help in some way? Ugh.

Question...have you ever had chicken pox? If so, it could be shingles...or not. lol