I keep getting skin infections in my groin area. I have repeated courses of antibiotics, but the infections keep returning. When I get infections, the odour is horrendous. What can I do?
I think I may have it, or something similar between my toes. I'm under rather than over weight. But there are no gaps between my toes. I've tried Sudo cream and athletes foot powered. I don't have any personal hygiene or self care issues. I always dry between my toes to remove as much of the flaking skin as possible. But whatever I do doesn't go away [but if I don't pay as much attention to drying it gets worse]. I also have fungal toe nails that I constantly treat and have always wondered if the two are connected.
Yes, what you describe is tinea pedis or athlete's foot. The nail infection is tinea unguium. To treat the latter you need be on long-acting anti-fungals and wait for the infected toe nail to grow out. The treatment is usually itraconazole or griseofulvin and needs to be taken for months.
Thanks so much for that. I did manage to get rid of the nail infection during lockdown with dedicated application of the nail paint [other people wrote books or revaluated their lives]. But it's back again. I can get rid of the tinea pedis whatever I do. Maybe I will ask my GP for itraconazole or griseofulvin. Thanks again,
I occasionally get this rash in my groin in the summer. Usually use terbinafine cream. Use sudocreme daily for prevention.
I initially used the mirena mainly for contraception but the bonus of not having periods is huge. With decreasing mobility transferring to the toilet is such hard work and the thought of having to transfer more frequently to change hygiene products is a no-no. My last mirena was fitted in my late 40s with my GP happy to fit it (again limited mobility makes that appointment really difficult) and agreed it should take me through the menopause which is a relief.
I like Femfresh wipes and Femfresh powder (talc free) for hygiene and skin health and I only use Body Shop shower gels as most others irritate my skin. I usually stock up when there are sales or special offers as these 3 things are pricey. First sign of sweat rash I use over the counter Canesten Athletes Foot and Sweat Rash cream which quickly sorts it out. I know someone who swears by Vicks Vapour rub for toenail fungus.
Please be careful with camphor and eucalyptus oils. They can trigger seizures and are also linked to migraine and making neuralgia worse.
Mathew et al. Essential oil related seizures (EORS): A multi-center prospective study on essential oils and seizures in adults. Epilepsy Res. 2021 Jul;173:106626.
Wow!! Does this include menthol? The menthol lotion was recommended by the dermatologist and it is great. I just checked and it does have some camphor as well. This is unsettling. I’m wondering if these patients had previously diagnosed seizure disorders or if this is a trigger, as suggested. I’m also wondering if there is an “safe” amount of menthol. It’s not much in this lotion. I do know Vicks’s new stick version has phenoxyethanol, which is some type of cosmetic antibacterial. (Still smells like regular Vicks to me!) The real Vicks Vaporub indeed has what seem to be very high levels of camphor, eucalyptus and menthol, if anyone is wondering. Thanks for this research.🌷
I had a mild case of intertrigo last summer and now I use a non-talc powder and I have had no further issues. Also pay close attention to drying properly after showering. As an ex nurse I know about the problems that can arise with pressure areas and fungal rashes.
I forgot to add when I had a horrible breakout of eczema, some in the groin and inner thigh area (and I am underweight) dermatologist recommended a lotion called Sarna. The regular kind with menthol and possibly eucalyptus. It makes me feel cold, but it works.
It’s easy for me to confuse eczema with other skin rashes. But my feet! Despite my exhaustion, I must be certain to brush my feet all over and use a power if I need it. Someone else mentioned Body Shop. They have a great Tea Tree cream that seems to work on intermittent itching as well. I’m presently sleeping round the clock waiting for thyroid blood results, now down to zero thyroid in system. Funny thing, that thyroid…never thought of it. Thanks for this!
Having the Mirena IUD has been brilliant. I've always had painful periods which were managed with oral contraceptives. After a couple of years off OC, pain returned. Post MS diagnosis, I found that my period heightened my new MS symptoms.
I've had the Mirena for 3 years. I no longer get a period and haven't for quite some time. If I get cramps, they are fleeting and easily managed with an Aleve. (And I am one of those people who would vomit nearly monthly from intense cramps.) I can have an increase in MS symptoms around when I should have my period, but to a much lesser degree than pre-Mirena. (Maybe because I'm not in pain like I was?)
I am perimenopausal. I went the Mirena route due to heavy bleeding, pain, and MS symptom increase associated with my period. Fortunately, the Mirena addressed all of these problems.
I think I may have it, or something similar between my toes. I'm under rather than over weight. But there are no gaps between my toes. I've tried Sudo cream and athletes foot powered. I don't have any personal hygiene or self care issues. I always dry between my toes to remove as much of the flaking skin as possible. But whatever I do doesn't go away [but if I don't pay as much attention to drying it gets worse]. I also have fungal toe nails that I constantly treat and have always wondered if the two are connected.
Thanks for doing MSselfie.
Yes, what you describe is tinea pedis or athlete's foot. The nail infection is tinea unguium. To treat the latter you need be on long-acting anti-fungals and wait for the infected toe nail to grow out. The treatment is usually itraconazole or griseofulvin and needs to be taken for months.
Thanks so much for that. I did manage to get rid of the nail infection during lockdown with dedicated application of the nail paint [other people wrote books or revaluated their lives]. But it's back again. I can get rid of the tinea pedis whatever I do. Maybe I will ask my GP for itraconazole or griseofulvin. Thanks again,
I occasionally get this rash in my groin in the summer. Usually use terbinafine cream. Use sudocreme daily for prevention.
I initially used the mirena mainly for contraception but the bonus of not having periods is huge. With decreasing mobility transferring to the toilet is such hard work and the thought of having to transfer more frequently to change hygiene products is a no-no. My last mirena was fitted in my late 40s with my GP happy to fit it (again limited mobility makes that appointment really difficult) and agreed it should take me through the menopause which is a relief.
I like Femfresh wipes and Femfresh powder (talc free) for hygiene and skin health and I only use Body Shop shower gels as most others irritate my skin. I usually stock up when there are sales or special offers as these 3 things are pricey. First sign of sweat rash I use over the counter Canesten Athletes Foot and Sweat Rash cream which quickly sorts it out. I know someone who swears by Vicks Vapour rub for toenail fungus.
Hi Julie, I don’t know who told me about Vicks Vapo Rub, but it’s like a miracle for healing on the feet. I wonder if it’s the menthol? 🌷
Yes and the camphor and eucalyptus too.
Please be careful with camphor and eucalyptus oils. They can trigger seizures and are also linked to migraine and making neuralgia worse.
Mathew et al. Essential oil related seizures (EORS): A multi-center prospective study on essential oils and seizures in adults. Epilepsy Res. 2021 Jul;173:106626.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0920121121000796?via%3Dihub
Wow!! Does this include menthol? The menthol lotion was recommended by the dermatologist and it is great. I just checked and it does have some camphor as well. This is unsettling. I’m wondering if these patients had previously diagnosed seizure disorders or if this is a trigger, as suggested. I’m also wondering if there is an “safe” amount of menthol. It’s not much in this lotion. I do know Vicks’s new stick version has phenoxyethanol, which is some type of cosmetic antibacterial. (Still smells like regular Vicks to me!) The real Vicks Vaporub indeed has what seem to be very high levels of camphor, eucalyptus and menthol, if anyone is wondering. Thanks for this research.🌷
Thanks Doc! This was a new one for me, but I will keep this in mind as I take care of myself. We really need you to keep us informed!🙏
I had a mild case of intertrigo last summer and now I use a non-talc powder and I have had no further issues. Also pay close attention to drying properly after showering. As an ex nurse I know about the problems that can arise with pressure areas and fungal rashes.
I forgot to add when I had a horrible breakout of eczema, some in the groin and inner thigh area (and I am underweight) dermatologist recommended a lotion called Sarna. The regular kind with menthol and possibly eucalyptus. It makes me feel cold, but it works.
It’s easy for me to confuse eczema with other skin rashes. But my feet! Despite my exhaustion, I must be certain to brush my feet all over and use a power if I need it. Someone else mentioned Body Shop. They have a great Tea Tree cream that seems to work on intermittent itching as well. I’m presently sleeping round the clock waiting for thyroid blood results, now down to zero thyroid in system. Funny thing, that thyroid…never thought of it. Thanks for this!
Re 'Many pwMS may have excessive sweating due to autonomic problems from spinal cord disease.'
I always think of the autonomic nervous system as doing its thing with no CNS involvement. Neurology is so complicated!
Having the Mirena IUD has been brilliant. I've always had painful periods which were managed with oral contraceptives. After a couple of years off OC, pain returned. Post MS diagnosis, I found that my period heightened my new MS symptoms.
I've had the Mirena for 3 years. I no longer get a period and haven't for quite some time. If I get cramps, they are fleeting and easily managed with an Aleve. (And I am one of those people who would vomit nearly monthly from intense cramps.) I can have an increase in MS symptoms around when I should have my period, but to a much lesser degree than pre-Mirena. (Maybe because I'm not in pain like I was?)
I am perimenopausal. I went the Mirena route due to heavy bleeding, pain, and MS symptom increase associated with my period. Fortunately, the Mirena addressed all of these problems.