I need some advice. My wife has been getting a rash under one boob. I think it's from dribbling water when drinking out of a water bottle in bed. I try to keep a straw there by her water to cut down on the dribbling.
I've been doing a 3-step protocol to treat it which eliminates the itching & tenderness for several days then I must repeat it. I've done it 3 times. But I'm wondering if I need to do it every day or just how often for how long it should take to clear it up. When she first had me look at it, it was really angry. Now, I can barely see it.
I'll be taking her to her PCP this next week and I'll have them look at it. But in the meantime, if there's something I could do better, I'm all ears.
Step one: I wash it with soap & water on a washrag. Step two; wipe it down with a baby wipe with isopropyl alcohol on it. Step three; apply a liberal amount of manuka honey cream.
The manuka honey cream (found it at CVS) isn't nearly as sticky as Medihoney and much more user friendly.
There's got to be some good ideas here on how to deal with an under boob or any kind of skin fold rash. Can I say boob here? :)
I might try one of those new body deodorants that one sees on TV and see how it works. As I type this I have a t-shirt tucked under a boob (don't wear a bra when I am at home... ahhh, what freedom).
I knew I'd get some straight answers here.
I really appreciate this site and all of you.
If that isn't the cure then you need a doctor consult.
I tried everything but then my dermatologist gave me a prescription strength steroid ointment that cleared it up. Your wife could be re-infecting herself if she isn't wearing a clean, soft bra every day. Consider having her go no-bra until it clears up.
Wash with unscented mild soap, like Dove or Cetaphil and rinse well. Do not use a wash rag, it is too irritating to that area.
Dry with cool blow drier. NO ALCOHOL WIPES. NO to honey or any other OTC ointments/lotions you've been using - it obviously isn't working and is making an environment for the yeast (or rash) to thrive. Have her wear a clear cotton shirt and no bra.
It's totally possible it is something other than yeast, but still follow the protocol above until her PCP or a dermatologist has a look at it.
Any way....
what you are doing sounds like it is working. I would not use alcohol I can imagine that burns like crazy.
One/some of the things you might try at night would be
Place a mini pad under the breast to absorb fluid and wick it away from the skin.
Replace the water bottle with a sippy cup they usually have a straw or sometimes just a protrusion that will let the water out but not allow a lot of spillage. That might help.
A barrier cream might help I used a combo of A&D and an ointment like Desitin but there are other barrier creams that will help. You don't need a lot.
You could even try products for fungal infections like Monistat, any for "jock itch, athletes foot.
And maybe try placing a wedge to raise her head so that she is not having to tip the bottle, cup so much that it dribbles.
And you might want to investigate different spill proof cups, there are several on the market
I wouldn’t use the alcohol. I’m not familiar with using honey. Good idea to ask her doc and it does sound like it’s almost well so it sounds like you’re doing a good job.
I would do the following :
Place a piece of dressing , you know like the 4X4 gauze pads in the fold to keep the skin surfaces from touching . This will soak up any sweat which usually is the cause . Some only get the rash on one side .
Or if she doesn’t wear bras , have her wear a men’s cotton undershirt and tuck the fabric in the fold . This worked well to prevent rash for my mother , once I got it cleared up .