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Suggest Treatment For A Dark Itchy Patch In The Lower Abdomen Area

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Posted on Tue, 17 Mar 2015
Question: Hello Doctor,

I have a dark itchy patch developing in the left side of the fold under the belly (not in the groin, but above it) It is too itchy, some times I scratch it in my sleep and break the scaly skin and a clear fluid oozes from it. What cream can I try for this problem? I tried T-bact, but it is not working.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sanjay Kumar Kanodia (21 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Intertrigo: mixed infeciton- suggestions and guidance.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Welcome and thanks for posting your query to the forum.

I can understand your concern for the dark itchy patch developing in the left side of the fold under the belly. After diligently analyzing your query I can make out the possibility of "intertrigo" (infection of the folds).

Intertrigo is common type of infection which can affect anybody at the folds. But more commonly it affects the areas which are more prone for sweating or moist areas (as in your case). More specifically these are related to the hygiene and environmental factors along with certain systemic complaints as in hormonal problem such as diabetes.

Due to hot and humid climate or due to tight and synthetic clothing,it leads to growth of fungus and super-added bacteria at the folds. Additionally persons who have bit excess of sugar or obese are most prone for these type of infections.

For the betterment kindly follow the suggestion below:

- Keep your self away from hot and humid climate.

- Take two times bath.

- Wear cotton clothes and cotton undergarments to be changed two times a day. Do not wear any synthetic or tight garments.

- Do cold compression or warm water compresses according to the weather condition.

- Do not sit continuously for long hours.

-In my patients I suggest to apply a combination ointment of mild steroid such as Beclomethasone with anti-fungal creams such as "Clotrimazole" or "Sertaconazole" (Candid B or Onabet B). It should be applied in thinnest possible amount so that it should not be visible to the naked eye. A rule of thumb is to take a pea size amount sufficient for palm size area and not to apply beyond the affected area.

- A compression with Gentian violet pain helps a lot. Take “Gentian violet paint” (GV paint) with normal water in a proportion of 1:10. It means I drop of Gentian violet paint and 10 drops of water or simply 1 teaspoon Gentian violet paint in 1 cup of water. Take a cotton ball and gently do compression. Do cold compression or warm water compresses according to the weather condition.

- You can continue using mupirocin cream which is basically antibacterial and will help out in treating the mixed infection due to bacterial cause.

-I suggest to take oral anti histamine like loratadine or levocetrizine two to three times a day.

-Don't try to scratch or rub the area as can lead to further aggravation of the problem.

- Reduce your weight as it is on higher side.

You can follow the above regimen for 3-4 days and if benefit occurs can follow the same for next 10-14 days. If the rash still persists then can go for blood investigation to check for your sugar status.

Most importantly don't try to scratch or rub or repeatedly observe the area as can lead to further aggravation of the problem. I quite often see that due to anxiousness in persons like you keep on observing and touching the area repeatedly multiple times in day. By doing so the skin is actually more irritated and looks red. So son to try to touch the area repeatedly.

I reassure you fully that you will be alright soon.

I hope above information will help you. If you have further queries I will be happy to help.

"Wish you good health and early recovery from the problem"

Regards,
Dr Sanjay Kumar Kanodia
MD (Dermatology & Sexually transmitted diseases)
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Sanjay Kumar Kanodia (23 minutes later)
Thank you so much for your very reassuring reply, Doctor.

A few queries though.

1. I checked my blood sugar last week. And here is the result:

Glucose - Fasting (Plasma/Serum/GOD-POD Enzymatic) 97
Glucose - PP(2hr) (Plasma/Serum/GOD-POD Enzymatic) 114

HbA1c (WB/Ion-Exchange HPLC) 6.2
Estimated Average Glucose (Calculation) 131
Does this have any relation to this problem?

2. You have suggested using 2 creams; Candid B or Onabet B, and also mupirocin cream.

How to apply these two? one in the morning and the other in the evening? or any other way? Or have I understood it wrong?

I hope Candid B and Onabet B are brand names like T-Bact that I can ask for in the pharmacies.

Sorry for being so ignorant Doctor. Kindly let me know.

Thanks

doctor
Answered by Dr. Sanjay Kumar Kanodia (20 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Take a pea size amount of cream for palm size area.

Detailed Answer:
Dear Sir,

Welcome back and thanks a lot for your swift reply. You are most welcome to clear all your doubts.

Regarding your further queries:

Your blood sugar status is completely fine and you can relax for the part of any correlation with it. There is no need to do any active intervention for your blood sugar part.

It appears to be due to simple hygiene related feature or bit excess of sweating or bit over-weight status.

In my patients I suggest them to apply either onabet B or candid B once at morning and then at night time. Mupirocin cream can be applied in between at afternoon time. All of these cream should be applied in thinnest possible amount so that should not be visibel ot the naked eye. A rule of thumb is to take a pea size amount of cream for palm size area.

Compression with water water along with gentian violet paint helps in early relief.
Yes they are the brand names. You can ask them in the pharmacy.

I hope above information will help you. If you have further queries I will be happy to help.

"Wish you good health and early recovery from the problem"

Regards,
Dr Sanjay Kumar Kanodia
MD (Dermatology & Sexually transmitted diseases)
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Pradeep Vitta
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Sanjay Kumar Kanodia (25 minutes later)
Thank you so much for your detailed reply, Doctor. I will follow your prescriptions.

Best regards XXXXXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sanjay Kumar Kanodia (23 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
"Wish you good health and early recovery from the problem"

Detailed Answer:
Dear Sir,

I am happy to know that you understood the simple facts of your condition by the help of our forum. I will be glad to guide you any further or if not then can close the query and rate the discussion.
"Wish you good health and early recovery from the problem"

Regards,
Dr Sanjay Kumar Kanodia
MD (Dermatology & Sexually transmitted diseases)
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Pradeep Vitta
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Answered by
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Dr. Sanjay Kumar Kanodia

Dermatologist

Practicing since :2002

Answered : 4165 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For A Dark Itchy Patch In The Lower Abdomen Area

Brief Answer: Intertrigo: mixed infeciton- suggestions and guidance. Detailed Answer: Hello, Welcome and thanks for posting your query to the forum. I can understand your concern for the dark itchy patch developing in the left side of the fold under the belly. After diligently analyzing your query I can make out the possibility of "intertrigo" (infection of the folds). Intertrigo is common type of infection which can affect anybody at the folds. But more commonly it affects the areas which are more prone for sweating or moist areas (as in your case). More specifically these are related to the hygiene and environmental factors along with certain systemic complaints as in hormonal problem such as diabetes. Due to hot and humid climate or due to tight and synthetic clothing,it leads to growth of fungus and super-added bacteria at the folds. Additionally persons who have bit excess of sugar or obese are most prone for these type of infections. For the betterment kindly follow the suggestion below: - Keep your self away from hot and humid climate. - Take two times bath. - Wear cotton clothes and cotton undergarments to be changed two times a day. Do not wear any synthetic or tight garments. - Do cold compression or warm water compresses according to the weather condition. - Do not sit continuously for long hours. -In my patients I suggest to apply a combination ointment of mild steroid such as Beclomethasone with anti-fungal creams such as "Clotrimazole" or "Sertaconazole" (Candid B or Onabet B). It should be applied in thinnest possible amount so that it should not be visible to the naked eye. A rule of thumb is to take a pea size amount sufficient for palm size area and not to apply beyond the affected area. - A compression with Gentian violet pain helps a lot. Take “Gentian violet paint” (GV paint) with normal water in a proportion of 1:10. It means I drop of Gentian violet paint and 10 drops of water or simply 1 teaspoon Gentian violet paint in 1 cup of water. Take a cotton ball and gently do compression. Do cold compression or warm water compresses according to the weather condition. - You can continue using mupirocin cream which is basically antibacterial and will help out in treating the mixed infection due to bacterial cause. -I suggest to take oral anti histamine like loratadine or levocetrizine two to three times a day. -Don't try to scratch or rub the area as can lead to further aggravation of the problem. - Reduce your weight as it is on higher side. You can follow the above regimen for 3-4 days and if benefit occurs can follow the same for next 10-14 days. If the rash still persists then can go for blood investigation to check for your sugar status. Most importantly don't try to scratch or rub or repeatedly observe the area as can lead to further aggravation of the problem. I quite often see that due to anxiousness in persons like you keep on observing and touching the area repeatedly multiple times in day. By doing so the skin is actually more irritated and looks red. So son to try to touch the area repeatedly. I reassure you fully that you will be alright soon. I hope above information will help you. If you have further queries I will be happy to help. "Wish you good health and early recovery from the problem" Regards, Dr Sanjay Kumar Kanodia MD (Dermatology & Sexually transmitted diseases)