is this surf rash? what can i do

[mickinyamba]

Hi there

for some time now i have developed some sort of rash under both my knees and on the inside of my legs, i have bought 6 different type of boardies, the latest being $155 billabong pair to help stop the rash with no success, i have been to 2 different doctors both of them saying that this is a fungal infection and they give me cream, then it goes and then comes back later.

Does this sound familiar to anyone? i cant seem to control it, and i surf every day which doesnt help, but i cant work out is it a rash from my boardies? or a fungal inefection from warm water or both?

its been a couple of years i dont seem to get it in a wetsuit through winter

any advice would be appreciated, oh and its incredibly itchy!! especially at night

cheers

[jaffa1949]

Mickinyamba.
Sounds you've got the Angourie fungus. Just note it's dangerous to give more than some general advice, especially when you have had two doctors look at it.

Dry thoroughly with a clean towel not one that has been lurking in the back of the car forever don't share the towel. Wash it regularly with a little bleach or nappy san. Do the same for the boardies regularly
If you have a blow dryer, use it on crutch, armpits and behind knees to dry skin thoroughly. Use the cream as perscribed, get good old Aussie tea tree soap ( just check you are not allergic) use it or a prescribed anti-fungal soap.

There are some body creams at the chemist. Talc or tea tree powder to make dry is good too. As clean and as dry as possible without over drying the skin is important

Have a special nail brush to scrub under your nails with tea tree soap as the scratching at night could be reinfecting your skin.
Clean the nail brush in a weak bleach solution between uses.
But if the creams work you need to go for a longer period than just to when the rash disappears.

BTW this applies to antibiotics too ALWAYS take the full course because if any bacteria survive a half arsed course they develop antibiotic resistance. Fungus does the same!

There are internal anti-fungal drugs (nasty unless really needed).

There are other remedies but I can't offer them as the rash really needs to be diagnosed and treated by someone near you.

[mickinyamba]

Thanks mate, ill take that on board, appreciated