Suggest Treatment For Persistent Sores Under The Breasts

Posted on Fri, 11 Sep 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 11 Sep 2015 Answered on

Mon, 5 Oct 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : Sores under breasts for 3 weeks. On nystatin cream and doxycycline for 8 days-getting worse-more sores. Do I need an oral pill for yeast infection?No culture was done. I dismissed my PCP and could only get an appt. with dermatologist in November.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Michelle Gibson (19 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
reduce friction, moisture, heat, treat inflammation,fungi, bacteria

Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic

Inflammation in the body folds is called intertrigo. Worsened by heat, moisture and friction (folds rubbing against each other)

This can then be infected by bacteria and/or fungi.

Treatment to consider:REDUCING FRICTION
(1) keep the folds separate as much as possible with cotton or linen material (these are cool materials)

(2)barrier protection - need to use a barrier protection agent to further prevent contact between affected folds eg zinc based creams or petrolatum.

These would form a barrier on each surface to prevent interaction

MOISTURE
(1)Wear cool non restrictive cooling, when at home, if it is possible, reduce clothing to decrease heat to the area or make sure temp set to lower levels

FUNGAL
(1)use an antifungal powder instead of the cream- the cream would add to the moisture eg zeasorb or lotrimin

BACTERIA
(1)Continue the use of the doxycycline

INFLAMMATION- (intertrigo is inflammation of the folds)
(1) consider use of a mild topical steroid for a few days eg hydrocortisone

I hope this helps,feel free to ask any other questions

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar