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What Causes Red And Swelling Sore On Right Arm?

Posted on Wed, 28 May 2014

Question: I have a sore on my right arm and it has been two weeks and I can not get it healed up. It is red and has little white things inside the redness area. there is a swelling around it now. I have tried to get into my doctor but my appointments kept getting cancelled by them. However I am to see her tomorrow. The swelling around the redness is just puffy looking and sort of white.

Answered by Dr. Hardik Pitroda (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Herpes zoster or insect bite,

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXX,

Thank you for posting on HealthcareMagic.

I have gone through your query and understand you are concerned about the rash on your right hand. Based on the description, it looks either like herpes or insect bite rash to me. However I would request you to upload good quality pictures of your rash for better understanding.

Moreover, I would like you to answer following leading questions, which can enable me to narrow down my diagnosis:

* Were there any symptoms like fever, weakness, joint pain, headache before the development of rash?
*Is there pain or itching in the rash?
*If pain present, is it radiating to your back/spine?
*Was there any significant recent history of hospitalization or surgery or any emotional or physical trauma?

Kindly revert back will the requested details.

Hope my answer will help to address your query in a better way.
Wish you best of health,
Dr Hardik Pitroda

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Hardik Pitroda (8 hours later)

I have looked at the pictures on the medical site and the one of ring worm looks a lot like what I have on my arm. It does have a ring around it almost like little blisters and the centre is more white and it is very itchy. I do have a doctors appointment today, one that I have waited for for months. So I will ask my doctor about it today. This started two weeks ago and I tried aloh vera gel on it, which usually clears up lots of things. Other people have been getting these little red almost like pimples on their skin as well in the public pool. I had them before too but was able to heal it up with the aloe vera gel. Not this time it just kept getting worse, larger. But I do think that the aloe vera gel helped it not to spread because it gives it a thin layer of coating like a layer of skin.

Answered by Dr. Hardik Pitroda (36 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Oral and topical antifungals

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXX,

The description of a ring of blisters with central clearing, extreme itching and history of going to public pool definitely points towards ringworm infection, medically termed as Tinea.
Aloevera has broad spectrum action i.e antibacterial and antifungal. Regular use of aloevera might have prevented the spread of tinea.

Tinea infections are usually clinically diagnosed and are pretty simple to treat. I recommend a few weeks course of oral antifungal drugs like Fluconazole or Terbinafine. Additionally, local application of antifungal cream/lotion is equally important to manage the condition in proper way.
For daily rinsing, you may be prescribed medicated antifungal bar/soap.

Usually, majority of patients do pretty well with these kind of treatment protocol, but in some cases where there is slow/no response, we need to investigate further by KOH mount, Culture, blood sugar etc.

I would recommend you to avoid swimming in public pool till complete resolution of condition.

I am sure your diagnostic query will be solved as you consult your doctor today.

For any further query or clarifications feel free to contact me.

Wish you best of health,
Thank you
Dr Hardik Pitroda

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. Vinay Bhardwaj