Hi everyone, I am experiencing non stop attacks of horrible thrush under the boobs and in the groin. It is so bad that it is weeping and smelly.
The Doctor said it is because I am on long-term steroids. I have had PMŔ now for 4 years and 3 months and am down to 4 mg. My question is does anyone else have this and if so how do you cope with. I have been tested for diabetes,which I don't have.
Thank you, Jenny
I do hope your doctor also gave you a prescription for something to apply to the Thrush. I have heard that it is hard to get rid of and we do have an autoimmune disease and compromised immune systems from the Prednisalone. There have been a few posts complaining about Thrush. I think diet is an important factor e.g. avoiding sugar and carbs. Others will be along no doubt with advice. It sounds distressing.
I had a horrendous version of this in all the named places for months on end. A dermatologist finally got rid of it with an oral anti-fungal combined with an expensive prescription cream called Ala-Quin. I'm in the US, don't know what it is called in the UK. I had tried every other anti-fungal cream available and, if need be, would have raised a king's ransom to buy this cream. I now try to keep said parts dry, use baby powder together with some otc anti-fungal powder, along with Lotrimin cream from the drugstore, at the slightest sign of irritation. Two years on and the infection is still at bay. Good luck!
Hi Attic, I've had the same problem...and discovered that my laundry detergent (even though fragrance/ additive free) is causing the problem. When I get warm, and begin to perspire, the itching becomes insanity!
I have begun rinsing my undies/bras in seperate mild vinegar rinse, after regular wash. Hang them over the shower rod to dry, without fabric softener.
I've also used the anti-fungal powders and sprays, but discovered regular baby rash ointment is the most effective treatment. ( Look for the fragarance free type, doesnt smell like fish oil).
My remedy is fast, and doesnt require me to use more drugs in my body.
Good luck, )erri
Had thrush and on higher levels and stopped all processed sugar, also no alcohol. Had feels and creams over counter but prescription for oral thrush eventually helped get rid. Nasty complaint and you have my sympathy. Good luck resolving. X
Hello, it is possible that you now have a secondary bacterial infection. Thrush usually has no smell of a bit of a sour smell. If it is fishy or worse it may be bacterial because your skin bacteria have found an open door of inflamed skin. You would need an antibacterial cream or oral antibiotics if this is the case.
Other than that it’s been said. Keep dry (cotton squares between skin layers if your boobs are ample enough to hold them in place), reduce sugar. I’ve noticed patches of depigmentation, also fungal, which are kept at bay with washing with Selsun or T-gel.
When the doc tested for diabetes, did they do an HbA1c or a fasting glucose test? The Pred can cause hefty sugar spikes and if coupled with refined carbs in your diet, can raise your blood sugar without you being diabetic. If it happens often enough, it can have some of the same effects as diabetes, but when one has a spot check on sugar levels it’s normal.
The usual "let's blame it on steroids" without any proof.
I had exactly the same problem, in the same places, when I first developed PMR. I found then that trimovate (a prescription-only topical steroid with an antifungal and antibacterial in it) was the only thing that would clear it but it always returned. I also had an itchy rash, not all over, very localised. We did wonder for a while if it was the skin version of coeliac disease causing the rash because it cleared when I was on a low carb diet and returned after our Italian holidays (pasta and pizza). We worked out that it isn't the gluten in fact, it is something in the structure of the starch, and not eating wheat solves the itch. But it also solved the "thrush" problem. Was it thrush or was it a rash that then got infected as Snazzy describes? It certainly wasn't due to steroids - I wasn't on them then.
It is said that applying plain yoghurt helps a lot with thrush.
Jenny if you have an old cotton men's vest. Cut it into 8" strips , fold it into 4" and place it under your boobs. You must change it everyday after a shower. It must be cotton. This you can do also in the groin area and keep bra and panties cotton if possible.
Try and avoid spicy food ...
Hope this will help you.
I suffered similarly. My doctor prescribed an antifungal cream, Daktarin. But gave me a tip......dry these hard to dry places after a shower with a hair dryer!!!.......been free since! Valerie
My GP said same about the hair dryer. I don't always go that far, but do make sure those areas are totally dry before dressing.
I have heard of women placing panty liners in bra to absorb moisture. It might be worth giving it a try to stop it coming back once you get rid of it.
I get the same problem under my boobs. May I ask a bit of a personal question? Do you have rather large breasts (I do!). I got some Mometazol ointment from my doctor and this cleared it up quite quickly. You could also try the generic version of Canestan (clotrimasol). It is an antifungal. To help with comfort, I bought some cotton bra liners (from Easy life catalogue). These help to keep the area dry. I also agree with an earlier tip....dry using a hairdryer and keep the area clean just using plain water if possible. Hope this helps.
BTW....I don't have (or at least have not been diagnosed with) PMR, but I am a diabetic with excellent control which a low carb diet helps a lot.
Regards Ann
I have tried many of the remedies suggested here. I also purchased at the pharmacy abdominal pads to use along with these remedies. I buy the 8”x10” pads , they can be cut to size. I put them between layers of skin where the rash is the worst. It seems to keep the area dry and promotes healing. I found the blow dryer works well for getting my skin dry after a shower. I have been really bad about my weight and blame the fact that there is so much more of me. It’s just that sometimes I feel so awful anyway that I eat things that I shouldn’t. I started prednisone September 2017. Currently on 8mg daily.
I have had problems with fungus at corners of my mouth for several years. (I must drool at night while sleeping!) Dermatologist prescribed a custom mix of Desonide and Ketoconazole for that and, when I started having the yeasty problems you describe after starting prednisone, she said to use it there as well. It works beautifully for me. I just use it after showering and that takes care of it. My other thrush issues are usually when I've been above 7 mg of pred and are fierce when I have had a steroid injection for problems in my back. In that situation, I've had to resort to oral treatment (pills and wash) as it goes right to my esophagus. Otherwise, watching the sugar in my diet keeps it at bay and that topical cream takes care of the itchy stuff. Lots of good ideas above and you are certainly not alone! Hope one or more of them help you.
Hi Attic, When I first was diagnosed with GCA, (& oh by the way you have PMR too for at least 4 months prior) I was put on 60mg of Prednisone. Here in the US that's what they prescribe. My Internist kept looking in my mouth for thrush. That fungal infection not unlike the rashes caused by folds under breasts & abdomens where 2 skin surfaces lay upon the other. I never got thrush as I modified my diet so in the carbohydrate department to even cut out fruit. But, I can say my seborrheic dermatitis on my face got worse. I got a prescription antifungal from my derm that is not oily & works as long as I use it frequently. But, for really cheap & works well on diaper rash or my face, although with a petroleum base & not a lotion, is the cheapest clotrimazole generic Lotrimin I can buy. Here Walmart sells one for 88 cents. We have a store called Dollar Tree that sells it for $1.
In the hospital we would use Coloplast InterDry Ag Textile with Antimicrobial Silver Complex, 10" x 12 ft. Roll on patients with these rashes with very good results. I just looked this up on Amazon. Of course it's not cheap. And people who are walking around and not in bed had a hard time keeping it in place. We were not supposed to change them unless soiled. Maybe this would work at night.
I was advised my Accupuncturist to use coconut oil ; my weepinghorrible rash went overnight. Since then my husband developed crotch rash , he applied coconut oil and it cleared up quite quickly . Good luck
I have had both, and my PCP prescribed Nystatin ointment, which works very well. I live in the US, but feel relatively sure you have Nystatin or a similar drug available. I actually had to send a picture of the rash under my boob to him to be sure it wasn't shingles -- pretty comical. Good luck.
Recurrent bladder infections? common?
GCA and thrush/candida
