Suggest Treatment For Skin Rashes On The Stomach

Posted on Thu, 13 Oct 2016

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

Thu, 13 Oct 2016 Answered on

Wed, 2 Nov 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : I have been on 10 m of Prozac for approx. 25 years. recently I tried tapering off with one every other day for 30 days. then cold turkey for approx. 10 days now. I have developed a skin rash on my stomach and I have diahreaa (sp) I thought it was just shingles. I have had the rash for approx. 10 days and now it is spreading a bit into my arms and legs...it is very itchy. I was wondering if it is shingles or the reaction to my quitting Prozac. I did get a bout of shingles on my stomach last year (very small ) when I was very stressed and thought I had it again because of my stressful move about 20 days ago. thank u

Answered by Dr. Ronald Schubert (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Neither shingles or drug withdrawal reaction

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for contacting HCM with your health care concerns

I am sorry to see that you are having a new rash with itching. This would not be due to the withdrawal for prozac as people only get rashes while on a drug not after. It is also not shingles because shingles causes pain and not itching. This sounds like a topical dermatitis issue. Possibly from detergent or other substance in contact with your skin. I would recommend starting to take benadryl or allegra to help the itch and settle the rash. You can also use topical hydrocortisone OTC. This should resolve quickly in a few days.

I hope I answered your question. Please contact us again if you have any additional questions

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

Follow up: Dr. Ronald Schubert (36 minutes later)

thank u for your quick response. I did have a bit of pain on my right side 10 days ago, and the rash just blistered a bit. does shingles spread like a rash from the stomach thru to the arms and legs ? I just bought something called intensive healing anti-itch cream (1% hydrocortisone) . is this the cream you are referring to above? as I am not sure what OTC means. I took your advice and had one Benadryl just now.

Answered by Dr. Ronald Schubert (2 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
not shingles

Detailed Answer:
The shingles rash does not spread so widely. It stays in one location only.

The 1% hydrocortisone is exactly what I recommend. You can use it 4-6 times daily over the area that itches

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