[Clare~Bear]

I have a rash on my wrist. It's where i wear my watch, but oddly not where the metal bits are. Most of it is off centre of the side of my palm, although there is a smaller bit on the side. Its dry and itchy and looks a bit like eczema. I have been using my mums E45 cream, but I'm sure another little patch is starting to grow.

If the e45 doesnt work and it keeps getting bigger, should i then bother the doc?

Also, I'm on rigevidon if that could be causing it. Ive been on it 3 months and the rash started a couple of days ago. And I've had all my watches ages and none have metal straps.

Has anyone else had this before?

EDIT; this morning the skin is so dry that it's starting to crack :/

[President Snow]

Hello

My first thought would be that this could be caused by sweating under the watch strap. Your skin sweats, but the watch strap doesn't allow it to evaporate, so it stays there all day and causes mild irritation and a rash. In such a case, the E45 would be good for it, but it would be much better to stop wearing a watch, just for a few days while it settles down. Once it has settled down completely, you should be able to wear your watch again.

The problem is that nobody here can guarantee that that is what it is, especially without seeing it. The chance of you actually being allergic to metal is very slim (it does happen, but it is very rare. Most people who think they are allergic to metal usually just have a bit of heat rash from trapped sweat, as described above). There are other possibilities, however, such as a fungal infection. In such a situation, we cannot help you here, and you should definitely see your GP.

My personal advice would be to temporarily stop wearing your watch, keep using the E45 cream, and see if it settles down in a few days. If you are at all worried, it continues to get worse, or it does not get better, then I would advise that you consult your GP, or at the very least NHS Direct (0845 4647). If, in the worst case scenario, your GP does not have an appointment soon, and you believe that you need more urgent treatment, then I would first suggest phoning NHS Direct to see if they agree, but then go straight to A&E. There could easily be a 4 hour or more queue, but at least you should get help that day.

I hope this helps. The likeliest is that this is just a mild heatrash.

[Clare~Bear]

My dad's allergic to metal, so thats what I thought it was. But where the rashes are, aren't where the metal is on any of my watches

It's not that urgent, thats why I don't want to bother with a doc yet. Mum suggested not wearing ym watch and putting E45 on. If it's still bad/worse after the weekend, then perhaps go to the docs.

But even if I do, is there any stronger stuff than E45 they could give me anyway. Cos if there isn't and that's all they'd give me, it seems pointless going.

[President Snow]

(Original post by Clare~Bear)
My dad's allergic to metal, so thats what I thought it was. But where the rashes are, aren't where the metal is on any of my watches

It's not that urgent, thats why I don't want to bother with a doc yet. Mum suggested not wearing ym watch and putting E45 on. If it's still bad/worse after the weekend, then perhaps go to the docs.

But even if I do, is there any stronger stuff than E45 they could give me anyway. Cos if there isn't and that's all they'd give me, it seems pointless going.

I completely agree with what your mother has said, and do believe that it is the best course of action in this case. I also do agree with not wanting to go to the doctors unless absolutely required (I very, very rarely go myself, but will of course go if I need to)

The main thing your GP can do is to tell you whether this is something to worry about, and what it might be. If this is just a mild heatrash, then he will probably just tell you to take your watch off, and use E45 or a skin moisterisor. However, if he looks at it and sees a funal infection (quite unlikely), he could prescribe anti-fungals, or if it was more leaning towards eczema, he could give you hydraquarterzone. However, I do not recommend using either of these yourself without professional medical advice. Hydraquarterzone effectively thins the skin down past the eczema affected area, leaving just healthy skin behind to regrow naturally. However, skin thinners should not be over used, or used lightly.

I doubt that this is anything too serious. I would leave it a couple of days, and consider going to the doctors after that if needed, as a heatrash should show improvement in just a few days.

[goldilocksa]

You could try Calamine cream (used to sooth itching and minor skin irritations, doesn't thin the skin at all) -and you can put it in the fridge before using it so that it's more soothing
Hope all clears up soon

[Clare~Bear]

(Original post by goldilocksa)

(Original post by President Snow)
I .

We've found sudacrem. Out of that and E45, which is stronger/ more suitable? And if suda crem is stronger, is that jsut as good as anything the doc can give me?

Plus what would be annoying is if the chemist has something they could give me, cos then I'd have to pay for it. But if I got something on prescription, it would be free. And it's probably the kind of thing that comes in a tiny tube that you use for a couple of days.

[OU Student]

It's just a rash; you're wasting your time seeing your GP. They won't tell you anything the chemist won't.

[outlaw-torn]

I have eczema and I'm allergic to.nickel. First - when you are allergic to nickel, it mostly, but doesn't always, comes up where the irritable metal is.

But I've worn bracelets then got eczema inside my elbow, so it doesn't always appear in the same place. If it gets reallu bad, Eumovate (think thats how you spell it) was a lifesaver for me. Costs about 7 quid but if your eczema continues and spreads, it is brilliant at stopping weeping/stopping it spreading further. It is an over the counter cream but quite strong so often the chemist will ask if you have used it before.

The doctors always gave me hydrocortisone cream which never worked.

Like someone said though, hydrocortisones and eumovate are pretty extreme solutions if eczema spreads or weeps.

Sorry for all the spelling mistakes, touch screen phones are awful to type on.

This was posted from The Student Room's Android App on my GT-I9100

[OU Student]

(Original post by outlaw-torn)
If it gets reallu bad, Eumovate (think thats how you spell it) was a lifesaver for me. Costs about 7 quid but if your eczema continues and spreads, it is brilliant at stopping weeping/stopping it spreading further. It is an over the counter cream but quite strong so often the chemist will ask if you have used it before.

Interesting. Didn't realise you could be Eumovate over the counter. I had that when I was at uni for pityriasis rosea.

[outlaw-torn]

(Original post by OU Student)
Interesting. Didn't realise you could be Eumovate over the counter. I had that when I was at uni for pityriasis rosea.

Yeah I've bought it a few times. But they do ask you if you have used it before, not sure what they do if you haven't.

This was posted from The Student Room's Android App on my GT-I9100