What Causes An Itchy Red Rash On The Back Of The Neck?

Posted on Sat, 17 Sep 2016

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

Sat, 17 Sep 2016 Answered on

Wed, 5 Oct 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : I've had this rash on the back of my neck for many, many years. It's red, non raised and on a 1-10 itchy scale where 10 is the most itchy I would say it is a 2-4.

What I've tried w/ no significant improvement:
hydrocortisone cream (6 weeks)
anti fungal cream (I believe it was lotrimin) (8 weeks)
anti fungal shampoo (nizoral) (8 weeks)

I do shave my head sometimes w/ a razor but usually w/ just a clippers. Frequently, I go a couple of weeks w/o shaving and the rash remains. I do not believe shaving has anything to do w/ the rash...although makes it more noticeable.

Answered by Dr. Asmeet Kaur Sawhney (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Seems to be capillary vascular lesion

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for being at healthcaremagic
I am Dr Asmeet Kaur Sawhney, a dermatologist.
I have reviewed the attached photograph and it seems to be some vascular lesion like a capillary malformation.
Still I would recommend you to give a trial of potent topical steroids like clobetasol propionate cream on the affected area twice daily for 2 weeks.
If there is an eczematous component in the rash it will respond.
Otherwise you need to consult a dermatologist and get it evaluated.
Regards
Dr Asmeet

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Veerisetty Shyamkumar