What Causes Red Patches On Elbows?

Posted on Wed, 10 Sep 2014

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

Wed, 10 Sep 2014 Answered on

Mon, 6 Oct 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : Both of my elbows have red patches on them. They are not sore but red. I recently had radioactive iodine treatment for thyroid cancer. I also have a very painful patch of skin that hurts ( not to the touch but feels like it's burning underneath). I had it for a few days and it went away for 24 hours and now is back again! It hurts!

Answered by Dr. Ivo Ditah (42 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Please, can I have an image of these patches?

Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for this query.

I am so sorry to hear about this pain and rash that you have reported, From the information you have provided, this could have been caused by an allergy to the iodine XXXXXXX used during this treatment. To be sure, I will like to take a look at this rash to see if it falls in line with a possible allergic reaction.

I hope to hear from you before making final suggestions and recommendation on this at your earliest convenience. I wish you well.

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

Follow up: Dr. Ivo Ditah (32 minutes later)

Thank you.
I had the radioactive treatment on aug 26.
I am not sure how to attach a picture. It's not a rash just a red mark on both elbows and I have an area the size of a golf ball on my arm just below my right elbow that has been burning. Not to the touch and there are no blisters or rash but it hurts. It occurred about 5 days ago and then went away yesterday and came back today. My mouth is covered with white patches and red patches and when I brushed my teeth this morning I felt as if I had opened up a sore and it was bleeding on the top part of my mouth. I noticed that my mouth first felt sore last Friday.

Answered by Dr. Ivo Ditah (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Please, talk to the customer service.

Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for following up with me.

I am so sorry to learn that you have difficulties uploading an image for review. I will suggest that you talk to our customer service for help going about this.

From your symptoms, there are no red flags that warrant immediate medical attention. Be calm and send the images at your earliest convenience.

For the white and red patches in your mouth, this could be suggestive of candida. With cancer, the immune system is weakened and you can easily develop oral thrush. I will also like to have an image of this.

Should it be practically impossible to upload images, I am afraid you may have to visit your doctor for examination as this is very important in making the final diagnosis and establishing a treatment plan to address this.

I hope to hear from you.

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

Follow up: Dr. Ivo Ditah (4 hours later)

How would I treat oral thrush?
Thank you

Answered by Dr. Ivo Ditah (16 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Antifungal creams!

Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for this follow up question.

Oral thrush is best treated with antifungals. What I commonly prescribe to my patients is 1ml of nystatin syrup 4 time daily for 7-10days.

If you can talk to your doctors, get this prescription and try it out.

I wish you well.

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