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Suggest Treatment For Folliculitis On The Leg
Question: I went to a nail salon in December where they wash and massage your legs with a pedicure. I had a XXXXXXX from shaving on my right leg and developed folliculitis on the leg after that. (The masseuse and pedicurist pointed out the XXXXXXX and said be careful as she proceeded to wash my leg) I went to the doctor and was treated with antibiotics and steroids. It has gotten better but It is persisiting. I take a slow time to recover from anything because there is a history of diabetes in my family on my mothers side.
When it becomes dry, I scratch it and irritate it all over again. I have read to use vinegar washes to rinse, which I have done, anything else I can do?
When it becomes dry, I scratch it and irritate it all over again. I have read to use vinegar washes to rinse, which I have done, anything else I can do?
Brief Answer:
?Prurigo simplex
Detailed Answer:
hello,
Welcome to healthcare magic.
I understand from your history that you had a folliculitis on the leg which does not seem to heal completely.
The possibilities as to why it is not healing may be 2-
1. As you have mentioned in your history, scratching the lesion on drying will not allow the lesion to heal completely. This, compounded by your family history of diabetes may make the healing process slower.
You could use a topical antibiotic like 2 % Mupirocin or 1% Fucidic acid twice a day on the lesion for 2 weeks.
Strictly avoid scratching / irritating the lesion.
If you experience intense itching, you could apply a moisturizer repeatedly to cut down the itchy sensation.
You could also take an antihistamine like Benadryl at bedtime to prevent scratching in your sleep.
2. It could have become something called as a "prurigo". This occurs due to incomplete healing and scratching. Prurigo, as such is an itchy lesion and it starts an itch-scratch cycle.
This is usually treated by administering a steroid like triamcinolone acetonide into the lesion. ( intralesional)
I would like to inform you that you have a feature to upload the images by yourself at the right side of the query page, please utilize that so that I can answer your query better. You can also send the image as attachment to YYYY@YYYY , with the subject as 'Attn: Dr. Johny Chacko'
Regards,
Dr. Johny Chacko
?Prurigo simplex
Detailed Answer:
hello,
Welcome to healthcare magic.
I understand from your history that you had a folliculitis on the leg which does not seem to heal completely.
The possibilities as to why it is not healing may be 2-
1. As you have mentioned in your history, scratching the lesion on drying will not allow the lesion to heal completely. This, compounded by your family history of diabetes may make the healing process slower.
You could use a topical antibiotic like 2 % Mupirocin or 1% Fucidic acid twice a day on the lesion for 2 weeks.
Strictly avoid scratching / irritating the lesion.
If you experience intense itching, you could apply a moisturizer repeatedly to cut down the itchy sensation.
You could also take an antihistamine like Benadryl at bedtime to prevent scratching in your sleep.
2. It could have become something called as a "prurigo". This occurs due to incomplete healing and scratching. Prurigo, as such is an itchy lesion and it starts an itch-scratch cycle.
This is usually treated by administering a steroid like triamcinolone acetonide into the lesion. ( intralesional)
I would like to inform you that you have a feature to upload the images by yourself at the right side of the query page, please utilize that so that I can answer your query better. You can also send the image as attachment to YYYY@YYYY , with the subject as 'Attn: Dr. Johny Chacko'
Regards,
Dr. Johny Chacko
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
I have text messaged the photos to the email address. One of my left leg which has no symptoms so you can compare, and my right leg which has the problem. Thank you for your answer . IS the compound available over the counter at the Pharmacy?
Brief Answer:
Asteatotic eczema
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I have gone through your clinical pictures.
It looks like a case of asteatotic eczema. It is not related to the folliculitis which you earlier had.
Asteatotic eczema is a type of eczema seen in elderly individuals due to the reduction in the oil content and moisture content of the skin.
1. I would advice you to apply a mild steroid cream like hydrocortisone cream twice a day for about 10- 14 days. Hydrocortisone 0.5% and 1% cream are available over the counter. Do not use the cream on the bleeding spots but only on the surrounding skin where it appears pink. This will clear the itching and the rash.
2. You could take an antihistamine like benadryl at bedtime for about 2 weeks.
3. Once the lesions clear, you should apply a good moisturizer ( like Aveeno which contains colloidal oatmeal) every day frequently to avoid recurrences.
4. Bathe with lukewarm water ( do not use hot water) as hot water will strip the oils from the skin.
5. Use very minimal soap or preferably a soap free cleanser ( like Cetaphil cleanser) to bathe.
6. Moisturize within 3 minutes of having a bath on damp skin so as to trap the moisture. And repeat the moisturizer frequently / whenever you feel itchy.
These measures will help you to prevent recurrences of the itching.
Please do not use vinegar as it is acidic and will dry and irritate your skin further.
Hope this helps you.
Wishing you good health,
Dr. Johny Chacko
Asteatotic eczema
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I have gone through your clinical pictures.
It looks like a case of asteatotic eczema. It is not related to the folliculitis which you earlier had.
Asteatotic eczema is a type of eczema seen in elderly individuals due to the reduction in the oil content and moisture content of the skin.
1. I would advice you to apply a mild steroid cream like hydrocortisone cream twice a day for about 10- 14 days. Hydrocortisone 0.5% and 1% cream are available over the counter. Do not use the cream on the bleeding spots but only on the surrounding skin where it appears pink. This will clear the itching and the rash.
2. You could take an antihistamine like benadryl at bedtime for about 2 weeks.
3. Once the lesions clear, you should apply a good moisturizer ( like Aveeno which contains colloidal oatmeal) every day frequently to avoid recurrences.
4. Bathe with lukewarm water ( do not use hot water) as hot water will strip the oils from the skin.
5. Use very minimal soap or preferably a soap free cleanser ( like Cetaphil cleanser) to bathe.
6. Moisturize within 3 minutes of having a bath on damp skin so as to trap the moisture. And repeat the moisturizer frequently / whenever you feel itchy.
These measures will help you to prevent recurrences of the itching.
Please do not use vinegar as it is acidic and will dry and irritate your skin further.
Hope this helps you.
Wishing you good health,
Dr. Johny Chacko
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you, very helpful. I am sixty but do not feel elderly!
Brief Answer:
Asteatotic eczema
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
That is good to hear.
Hope you always stay young at heart.
Regards,
Dr. Johny Chacko
Asteatotic eczema
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
That is good to hear.
Hope you always stay young at heart.
Regards,
Dr. Johny Chacko
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
One more question...can I shave my legs?
Brief Answer:
asteatotic eczema
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
No. It is not advisable to shave your legs now. Wait for a least a month. Let the eczema completely subside.
Even when you shave, follow certain precautions.
Never do reverse shaving. Always shave in the direction of hair growth.
Use a good razor to avoid nicks and cuts.
Preferably shave during a shower when the hairs are softer.
Always moisturize well after shaving.
Regards,
Dr. Johny Chacko
asteatotic eczema
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
No. It is not advisable to shave your legs now. Wait for a least a month. Let the eczema completely subside.
Even when you shave, follow certain precautions.
Never do reverse shaving. Always shave in the direction of hair growth.
Use a good razor to avoid nicks and cuts.
Preferably shave during a shower when the hairs are softer.
Always moisturize well after shaving.
Regards,
Dr. Johny Chacko
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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