Dr ML, what is this? (warning: gross skin lesion thing)

[jlt19]

We're between insurance right now, so OF COURSE DH asks about this today. Any ideas?

Details he gave me:
Occasionally itchy, but no rhyme or reason
Doesn't hurt
Been there about 3-4 weeks
about the size of a quarter on his lower forearm
started out as an irritated bug bite type thing
doesn't seem to be getting worse, but not really better either
nothing has came out of it and it's not really raised, just puffy

Any guesses or ideas to put on it to try to make it go away? Obviously he's done nothing

[suzubell]

That looks like ringworm.

[wizardressofoz]

I concur - looks like ringworm.

[mags]

psoriasis?

[af1212]

Ringworm.

Use lotrimin cream (otc)

We dealt with ringworm all summer as a result of our cats having it. Keep on it.

[mcsangel2]

Yep, ringworm. Have him get on that asap, it's pretty contagious and can spread. Do you have pets? The cases I've known of in my limited experience spread from animals.

[jlt19]

Oh, awesome. We do have two dogs but none have been sick. I can't imagine he's had it for a month and it hasn't spread or gotten worse. I'll have him go to a walgreens clinic or something today. thanks!

[picksthemusic]

Definitely looks fungal. You can try an OTC fungal treatment, and if it doesn't work, see your PCP for some prescription cream.

[mcsangel2]

You should check your dogs thoroughly and make sure they don't have any sores anywhere. It can be a bitch to get rid of in pets.

[joy]

lol to “obviously he has done nothing”

I sometimes get dry patches of skin that look like that, too. I put lotion on it, sometimes another cream (like hydrocoritsone) and it eventually heals up in a few weeks.

Just another thought if ringworm isn’t quite right.

[bluestreet]

I have psoriasis and it looks like that. 🥴

[lizlemon19]

Does he work out at a gym that uses mats? Ringworm can spread that way.

[So_Fetch]

Isn't ringworm stupid itchy? My eczema looks like that on occasion and isn't itchy.

[bears]

Oct 18, 2021 14:34:46 GMT -5 So_Fetch said:

Isn't ringworm stupid itchy? My eczema looks like that on occasion and isn't itchy.

My dad gets patches of eczema that look exactly like this and every time a doctor sees it he is misdiagnosed with ringworm. Eczema can be itchy, though.

[So_Fetch]

Oct 18, 2021 14:56:57 GMT -5 bears said:

Oct 18, 2021 14:34:46 GMT -5 So_Fetch said:

Isn't ringworm stupid itchy? My eczema looks like that on occasion and isn't itchy.

My dad gets patches of eczema that look exactly like this and every time a doctor sees it he is misdiagnosed with ringworm. Eczema can be itchy, though.

Agreed. In general my eczema isn't itchy, but it has been/can be.