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I have itching right by my tailbone... last week I was doing yard work in the heat when it started... I noticed the skin looked "split" just below my tail bone - almost like a bad paper cut (more like the skin was worn - about 2 centimeters vertically in the top cleft of my buttocks). The skin above it has since been itchy... I think it's just the irritation from the skin below but - I'm not sure. There's no redness or pain... I use gold bond and it helps a bit... but - I still notice it...
Optional Information: Person's Gender: Male Person's Age: 41 Already Tried: I have tried gold bond as well as some stuff for jock itch (thinking it may be some kind of yeast or jock itch - though I'm not currently sexually active so the yeast may be a shot)... I've had previous issues with foliculitis (though no symptoms now)... the skin feels irritated but other than the rubbed skin in the top cleft of my buttocks - there's no redness or pain or swelling
These answers are for informational purposes and do not replace a physician head-to-head visit. A patient-physician relationship is not established.
Would it be possible to forward a photograph?
I'm trying to attach it here but it's not working (or I don't know what I'm doing)
Thank you
This appears, at this point, to be a contact dermatitis. Something must have irritated the area.
yeah - it feels irritated... almost hypersensitive (but not painful).... I was doing yard work in the heat last week for about 3 hours and - think that did it (it started almost immediately after)... what's the best way to treat it - It's irritatingly itchy at times (not so much I feel the need to scratch it but - enough that I know it's there)
I would treat this with Eucerin Aquaphor Healing OIntment.
Apply this twice a day. To control the itching Maximum Strength Cortaid ontment also twice a day. Once the itching stops just use Aquaphor.
so - use the cortaid first and put aquaphor on top of that? Sweat seems to irritate it a bit as well - will that inhibit that or is that not an issue?
One thing to realize: this is the site that patients can develop a pilonidal sinus. Although I do not think the picture shows this, that is an area for this. A pilonidal sinus is an area where there is ingrown hair tthat forms a sinus.
I would try to separate them. If you are sweating a lot Cortizone 10 cream would be better.
Ointments can get sticky with sweating.
Try to use them separately.
I read about the pilonidal cyst online... but - there's no pain... just irritation... if it was something like this (and it's been a week now and the symptoms haven't changed at all) how long would it take before you actually knew it was that (if that's what it was)
That is one of the reasons I do not think it is a pilonidal sinus...usually there is pain and discofort.
Ok - well - thanks for your help. I'll try the cortizone... and aquaphor... how long should it take before it starts to subside (assuming it is just dermatitis)?
any idea how long it will take to resolve?
About 4-5 days.
ok... thanks for your help... have a good evening
Let me know waht happens
Experience: 30 years practice in general and cosmetic dermatology