Joy

A couple of things to try....

It may be a fungal/ yeast problem. You could try an athlete's foot cream - it'll clear the rash in a couple of days if this is it. Everything else is usually helped by a cortisone type preparation or an anti-bacterial ointment like polysporin. 

If you want to try the diaper rash cream route - Balmex is the BEST! We can't buy it here in Canada so I have friends pick it up for me in the States so I never run out. I use it for any kind of minor skin irritation for the boys and us. Usually works overnight.

Once the problem is cleared up I would recommend corn starch to keep the area dry : cheap, natural, effective. Forget about commercial powders and talcs, even those claiming to be made with corn starch - not enough in there to matter and you don't need the other stuff that's in it! 

Good luck!

Yvonne


>>> [log in to unmask] 09/24/00 12:43AM >>>
Thanks to everyone for the tips.  And no, I'm not offended about the diaper
rash idea... My theory is, go with what works.  I've learned not to be
sensitive about titles. ; )

~Joy~

----- Original Message -----
From: "Elizabeth H. Thiers" <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Saturday, September 23, 2000 9:12 AM
Subject: Re: Skin Irritation


> Have you tried baby powder? or you can (and don't take this the wrong way
> please) try the lotion for diaper rash and then once the rash is gone use
> powder (talc, corn starch) to keep the area dry.  It sounds like you may
> getting irritation from the underwear rubbing against your skin or you may
> be sweating and the area is moist all the time and contributing to skin
> break down.
>
> Hope that helps.
>
> Beth the OT
>
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: St. John's University Cerebral Palsy List
> > [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of - Joy -
> > Sent: Friday, September 22, 2000 11:41 PM
> > To: [log in to unmask] 
> > Subject: Skin Irritation
> >
> >
> > I'm not sure if this topic is too sensitive for the list.  If it is, I
> > apologize, but I figured you guys might be able to help.
> >
> > I wear absorbent underwear while at school or in an unfamiliar
> > place.  I can
> > control my bladder fully, but it makes my life a thousand times easier,
in
> > that I don't have to worry about finding accessible bathrooms or taking
a
> > huge chunk of time away from what I'm doing.
> >
> > Recently, the skin on my inner thighs has been scaly, red, puffy, and
> > irritated.  There are a few pimplish looking sores.  It's very painful.
> > I've tried ice, Vagisil, moisturizer, plain old soap and water...
> > everything
> > we can think of.  As always, I'm really careful about drying the area,
but
> > nothing seems to help.  I'm thinking the underwear might be too tight,
but
> > I'm afraid of switching to a larger size, and not having a tight enough
> > seal.
> >
> > Has anyone dealt with this problem?  I'd really appreciate any help.
Oh,
> > and I'd like to keep this between members of the list, if possible.  I'm
> > somewhat self-conscious about it, and no one besides my parents knows.
> >
> > ~Joy~
> >
>