Is going to the gym causing this rash?

I have developed a rash under my armpits, which seems to flare up when I go to the gym. It gets really red and itchy and, despite my best efforts with talcum powder, it simply won’t shift. I don’t want to stop my gym sessions because I seem to be making progress where the weight is concerned and I want to keep on top of it, as diabetes runs in my family. How do I get rid of this rash, yet keep training?

THIS rash sounds like intertrigo. This is a type of skin inflammation caused by skin on skin friction, and often secondary infection with bacteria or viruses.

The fact you have put on weight won’t be helping, as this results in extra friction. Excessive sweating as a result of going to the gym will provide the perfect environment for this condition to flourish.

Stop using talc as this might only be making the condition worse. Invest in a strong PH neutral antiperspirant which will keep you dry in the gym and avoid clothing that will chafe.

Try and keep the armpits as dry as possible, so wash off the sweat as soon as the workout is done and dry the armpits with a hair dryer on low heat after a bath or a shower.

Try your best not to scratch the area it will only add fuel to the fire. Your doctor will be able to prescribe you with a cream to reduce the inflammation, itch and any infection that might be present. These preparations contain steroids, so don’t be tempted to overuse the treatment as it can thin the skin.

If you aren’t feeling great, get the doctor to do a general blood test as intertrigo tends to be more common in diabetics.

Occasionally, this is more than a friction rash. It can be the first sign of eczema or psoriasis or may be a fungal infection or scabies infestation.

However, based on your story, I’m confident it’s intertrigo and I think you can get the better of it with the right cream and self management.

Good luck! My toenail is giving me grief. I’ve got a fungus in there and also an ingrown toenail. The paint I’m using to get rid of the fungus was taking ages to improve matters so the doctor switched me to pills. But really I don’t see any major change. It keeps getting infected as well, so I’ve been on six courses of antibiotics in the past year. Any suggestions?

FIRSTLY toenail fungus needs to be confirmed for certain — so clippings of the offending toe need to go to the lab. Secondly, if fungus is confirmed and pills are deemed necessary, you must have a blood test beforehand as these medications can have a negative impact on your liver function.

The duration of treatment can be as much as nine months so this does require a commitment.

With regards to an ingrown toenail, it very much depends on how bad it is.

It can become painful and infected so if that’s happening repeatedly then you need to think of a Plan B.

If you want an immediate solution as you are sick of the two coexisting problems, you could opt to have the whole nail removed.

This is done as a day case patient and takes six to eight weeks to heal.

About 95% of people who have this done do not have any further nail regrowth. If the entire nail is removed, you will no longer physically have a big toenail but, ultimately, no nail means no in growth and no fungus.

Alternatively you can sign up to almost a further year of pills and hands-on management of the nail.

Your case is illustrative of how two very common ailments can cause havoc for a person. I suspect at this stage you have given all the treatments your best shot so it is better to get the nail off rather than leave it on.

Life is physically compatible without a nail. The question is, could you put up with the absence of a nail aesthically?

If the answer to this is yes, then definitely get it removed.