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What Causes Underarm Rashes After An Unprotected Intercourse?

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Posted on Sat, 16 Jan 2016
Question: Hi there I have a rash under my arm it started 6 weeks after unprotected sex, i have had the rash or almost two weeks and the appearance of it changes, sometimes you can hardly see it appears to minor discolouring other times after a shower you can see small red bumps I wonder if it is hiv related, I asked the question earlier and was told it was probably unrelated, but I wanted to ask a hiv specialist, know the only way to know for sure is to get tested I was waiting for 3 month window, but I am going to get tested tomorrow, I am very stressed. Can the rash appear this long after possible initial infection? Can you get false positives? i an case i will get tested again after the 3 month window is up. thank you
doctor
Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Unlikely to be an HIV related rash.

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,

I am also a family practice doctor as was the previous doctor who responded to your first question.

To get an HIV specialist to answer, close this current question and repost the question with "For HIV Specialist ONLY" at the beginning of your question in the first line.

The rash you are describing, that appears to wax and wane and is more visible after a shower may be a skin fungal infection such as ringworm. Skin fungal infections can happen anywhere but especially in warm dark moist areas of the body. Treatment for this is an over the counter anti fungal cream used for 2 weeks. Wearing cotton (loose clothing is best) and keeping the area dry as much as possible are also good ideas.

This would not be a typical way for HIV to present.

Whether there are false positives depends on the type of HIV tests used, but they are all quite accurate these days.

So - if you want to repost your question for an HIV specialist, go ahead and close this discussion. Do know that it may take quite a while before your question is replied to as we don't have HIV specialists responding to questions at all times.

I hope this helps.
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. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :1991

Answered : 3134 Questions

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What Causes Underarm Rashes After An Unprotected Intercourse?

Brief Answer: Unlikely to be an HIV related rash. Detailed Answer: Hello and welcome, I am also a family practice doctor as was the previous doctor who responded to your first question. To get an HIV specialist to answer, close this current question and repost the question with "For HIV Specialist ONLY" at the beginning of your question in the first line. The rash you are describing, that appears to wax and wane and is more visible after a shower may be a skin fungal infection such as ringworm. Skin fungal infections can happen anywhere but especially in warm dark moist areas of the body. Treatment for this is an over the counter anti fungal cream used for 2 weeks. Wearing cotton (loose clothing is best) and keeping the area dry as much as possible are also good ideas. This would not be a typical way for HIV to present. Whether there are false positives depends on the type of HIV tests used, but they are all quite accurate these days. So - if you want to repost your question for an HIV specialist, go ahead and close this discussion. Do know that it may take quite a while before your question is replied to as we don't have HIV specialists responding to questions at all times. I hope this helps.