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Mom has had a severe skin fold rash under her breasts and tummy fold for about 2 months now. She has never in her life had this. We've tried talc, wound care balm, anti-chaffing ointment, Lidocane cream for the pain, putting things between the folds to absorb moisture and putting nothing on it to see if it clears up and nothing is helping. My poor mother is in so much pain from this as her skin is shedding and cracking open. Her Physician Assistant has seen her and those were the things he said to try and said it wasn't a fungal issue. What she really wants is a tummy tuck and double mastectomy, but at 83 that'd probably be too traumatic of a procedure.
She is in a wheelchair so her tummy is always folded over onto her lap. She's not obese (160 lbs) but could lose some weight, but would still have the extra skin anyway. At her age, and the COVID isolations, the last thing I want to do is take away her treats.


Has anyone have any idea's that we haven't done yet to clear this up? Thanks!

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It's FINALLY cleared up after almost 3 months and many creams, ointments and powders. What seemed to do the trick was putting nothing on the raw rashes and simply letting it dry out. I cut out the pad in her Depends and used it between all her skin folds and inside elbows and groin. Mid-day I'd have her lay down and I'd "belt" up her tummy and let everything be exposed to the air to help it dry out.

Thanks again for everyones tips and idea's!
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NeedHelpWithMom Oct 2020
Good for you! Very happy for you.
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It is interesting that he said it wasn't a fungal issue? Because as you were speaking all I could think is fungal. What sometimes happens is that people use antibiotic cream and it kills good and bad bacteria, leaving things open to fungal. Then they use antifungals and the opposite happens. This can happen even in animals, sometimes dogs get this going on bare tummies. I would try an antifungal for a few days, just the over the counter ones such as monistat cream. It may initially turn red and burn for a day, but if a fungus it would cure it within 5 days. If it is the same, you have just PROVED that your MD was correct all along, but no harm done. Important thing if that doesn't work is basically keeping it dry as you can, sometimes with a small gauze tucked in.
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DILKimba Oct 2020
That was exactly what I was thinking Alva! It sounds like yeast to me! I would use Lotrimin AF and some Desitin ointment over that as a protectant. That’s what I used to do in the folds of my baby’s skin when they got a yeast rash. The Destin is soothing to the skin. It’s mostly zinc which is healing!
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The physicians assistant may be wrong about it not being yeast. I weigh too much so I have several areas such as under the breast that can develop a yeast infection very easily in the summer. I apply athlete's foot cream to the areas after each shower to prevent it. Yeast infection is generally bright red, itchy and actually smells like bread making yeast.
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Our skin normally has yeast on it. When there is an over growth we get a yeast infection. Tercozanale and nystatin work well if you want to go to a doctor. If not, just buy an over the counter product for a yeast infection. It's the same type of medicine. As others have said the yeast grows fast so needs daily washing off and drying well. Hairdryer works well. If you do take her to the doctor they might want to prescribe flucozanole by mouth. I would only use this if topicals don't work. It's a very strong medicine and can cause all kinds of side effects. Doctors will tell you that you get side effects when on longer term but that's not completely accurate. Some people can get them from one dose. Flucozanole is very hard on the liver as well. Please be aware yeast infections are itchy and scratching can leave yeast under her fingernails. Fingernails can get hard, discolored and disfigured if left to grow there unchecked. Make sure her hands are cleaned and nails soaked if scratching. It's hard to get rid of once embedded under the nails. It would require months on flucozanole and you don't want that. Densitin will definitely help with pain and itching and provide a protective coating so less urge to scratch. If she is diabetic make sure her numbers are under control. High sugars will feed the yeast. If she is diabetic check if she in on an sglt2 inhibitor like Invokana, Jardiance, etc. as these type of medications drive yeast production and might be causing frequent rashes. Good luck.
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I’m not a nurse or physician, but my mom’s skin became broken down and 2 things were especially helpful. First manuca honey that’s flattened out will aid healing. It almost looks like a fruit roll up with the paper over it. It heats up from body heat and is super healing. My personal favorite is fresh aloe Vera from a plant. Mom healed the most quickly when we put that on her and let it air heal.
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Isthisrealyreal Oct 2020
Just a word for anyone allergic to latex. When you cut the aloe let it stand in a bowl for about an hour and then wash the leaf well, this will remove the natural latex that is just under the surface of the skin.
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Hi Susie. Been there with my Mom with both breasts and tummy fold. The breasts started years ago. Applied anti fungal cream per Dr for a week and gone. Now use powder Every day to keep the area dry. Two months ago the tummy fold had same issue for the first time. I applied the anti fungal cream again and gone in a week and powder used now. Good luck. I hope you can get your Mom feeling better soon.
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Okay don’t laugh but in Louisiana there is a product called Boudreaux’s Butt Paste. You can order it online. Mom’s home health care nurse swore by it.

It’s similar to Desitin but a bit stronger.

Best wishes to you and your mom.

If needed ask your doctor about a good wound care specialist. Or maybe even a dermatologist.
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worriedinCali Oct 2020
That’s diaper rash cream for babies LOL! The butt paste I mean. If the OP goes looking for it, she’ll need to go to the baby section because it’s with all the diaper rash creams. I used it on my youngest, it’s great stuff!
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Please make sure you are washing her bras, knickers and any other clothing that comes in contact with these areas with Borax. I would give the clothes a good soak in a pail of hot water and Borax for an hour or so, then dump the pail, water clothes and all into your washing machine. If it is a yeast or fungal infection, if the clothes are not treated, you will just be reinfecting her.

A mild vinegar solution, 1/4 cup white vinegar to 3/4 cup warm water, gently dabbed on the areas will help clear it up too. Dab it on, allow to dry.

I am a busty 40 I was the size of my last bra, and also get hot flashes. I struggle with rashes under by breasts. Doing the above keeps the worst of it at bay. I have a friend who puts pieces of paper towel under the folds after she bathes. It does a great job of absorbing the extra moisture.
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NeedHelpWithMom Oct 2020
Borax is a very old product. Nice post!
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Take her to a dermatologist for some cultures of what's growing in there. If you can't get a dermatologist to examine her in person, ask her permission and take some pictures on your phone.

Meanwhile continue to clean the area (use an emollient cream *as* soap, not on top of, and wash and rinse as normal) and *thoroughly* dry it, always using a clean towel (obvious I know, but you'd be surprised). I'm sorry it hasn't worked but I'd still try to keep the skin surfaces apart with clean muslin or clean cotton jersey (or, if it's not unaffordable, you might like to get some silk underwear for her to try? Not satin glamour, I mean the type mountaineers use).

With larger persons, if I can do it tactfully, I suggest they lie down after their shower so that it's easier for them to get *properly* dry. I encourage them to dry what they can, then I go over any areas they can't reach. This isn't just because of skin folds, though - it is also extremely difficult to do a good job of drying if your balance and your suppleness aren't all they were.

Don't despair - I've seen some rashes 😱 that looked dreadful but cleared up very fast once they were got in hand.

PS Don't take away her treats!
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Hi Susie,
I saw all the answers here.
Anything- ointment, paste, honey, steroids,- that has a creamy base to adhere to skin isn't going to work.
I have something better.
In Korea, we use this on burn patients when skin pain is in constant pain.
Go to Korean supermarket and buy white potato starch. It's about $5.
grab handful (don't be stingy), and copiously, put on your Mom's folds/skin.
Doesn't matter if it falls onto her clothes.
Constantly, keep putting much powder on as possible.
This doesn't let skin touch the skin- keeps skin dry- powder is slippery.
this is superior than baby power- which is a horrible joke of a product with fragrance as irritant.
Also works for diaper rash- for babies & seniors.
Cara
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