Should I be worried about this rash?

Q:

I’ve recently developed an itchy rash underneath my breasts. It has a strange odor too. What is this and how do I get rid of it?

A:

It sounds like you’ve developed candidal intertrigo, a yeast infection in the fold of your breasts. It’s caused by the same candida that causes vaginal yeast infections since this fungus thrives in warm, moist areas.

You should be able to clear up the rash by washing the area daily with a dandruff shampoo (like Selsun Blue), patting it dry with a clean towel to prevent spreading and using a cotton swab or your fingers to apply an antifungal cream (like Lotrimin) once a day for two weeks. It’s also a good idea to trade in any nylon bras for supportive cotton ones to prevent skin-toskin contact and moisture buildup.

Once you’ve eliminated the rash, you can keep future infections at bay by washing periodically with the dandruff shampoo and applying a breast cream (like Carpe No-Sweat Breast Lotion, Walmart.com) to absorb moisture.