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Overweight and sweat rash

Annb

Expert
Messages
9,231
Location
Western Isles, Scotland
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Insulin
I am well overweight and since being on insulin (a good number of years now) I have developed a huge "belly", which must constitute a large part of the excess weight I am carrying. There are also other problem areas, but I can manage them. The big overhang of my belly, though, is causing issues because I have developed a permanent sweat rash (the area is always sweaty - even directly after a shower). This has now become very sore despite trying different ways of stopping it - from water resistant creams to talc. Nothing helps. This morning, I folded a face cloth and tucked it under the overhang but I'm pretty sure it won't stay there. The aim of that is to absorb any sweat and reduce the damage to my skin. This has worked in other parts of my body but keeping it in place is going to be an issue.

I have been working very hard at losing weight (taken 2 years to lose 3 stone and have another 4 or 5 stones to lose) and by doing LCHF managed to shift a little, then by going carnivore lost a fair bit more, very quickly but my blood pressure went sky high and my GP, prescribing another pill to add to the pile, advised me to, at least, have some vegetables - that has put BG up a bit (still OK) and put some of the weight back on. Somehow I will deal with the weight and BG issues but can't seem to find a solution to the sweat rash issue.

Does anyone have any ideas, or experience of this?
 
Are you sure you don’t have a fungal infection in your skin folds. Might be worth trying some anti fungal cream?
 
If it's not fungal but simply because it's sweaty and doesn't get aired, what about trying zinc cream like you would for diaper rash?
I sometimes get sore spots in non aired places in summer, and zinc cream works wonders.
 
Antje77 said:
If it's not fungal but simply because it's sweaty and doesn't get aired, what about trying zinc cream like you would for diaper rash?
I sometimes get sore spots in non aired places in summer, and zinc cream works wonders.
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Thanks for the suggestion Antje. Unfortunately I've tried that and it doesn't work for me. Also tried Tea Tree Cream which didn't help either and Tea Tree oil is supposed to be anti-fungal, I've discovered. However, there may not be much of the actual oil in the cream so might try to get hold of something with more oil in it.
 
Canesten and the likes are anti fungal. I wouldn't dabble with tea tree stuff with an actual fungal infection.
 
A very long time ago I worked in a hospital and very often patients with areas such as you describe had caneston prescribed for those areas. My mum also had issues and used a similar cream. It seemed to give her some relief
 
Saw the nurse who checked and said it didn't need Canestan but just to be kept dry with a piece of absorbent fabric tucked in - as I am doing at present.

Went to the pharmacy anyway and asked for some - they don't sell it over the counter and I would need a prescription. That's a new one on me. Heigh ho, cut myself several lengths of cotton then and just carry on, I suppose.
 
I have exactly that issue as well @Annb, and I use an antiperspirant (spray, but I'm sure cream/stick would work too) applied after showering. It might be a good idea to test a small area first for a day or two if you want to give that a try.
 
jpscloud said:
I have exactly that issue as well @Annb, and I use an antiperspirant (spray, but I'm sure cream/stick would work too) applied after showering. It might be a good idea to test a small area first for a day or two if you want to give that a try.
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I'll try that. Thanks. I've never used deodorants or anti-perspirants. I was brought up "old-school" with just lots of soap and water. Tom was the same and both Neil and Alistair are allergic to lots of them. I think there is one I've seen advertised that has no scent - maybe that would do the job.
 
It definitely is the answer for me, but as you say you have to use one that won't cause any other problems - also maybe wait until the irritation is gone before starting with it, just in case? If you persevere with the absorbent cloths for a while that might do it. I had a look on amazon, they actually do a tummy sweat pad, but they are extremely expensive. Have you seen those absorbent mats, like puppy pads but for humans? They are cheaper and I had a ton of them left over after mum passed. They come in handy for all sorts of things (fridge/freezer defrosting for a start, saves having to wash half a dozen towels!) and a smaller one of those folded might work to get the irritation down before trying antiperspirant?
 
You have the same Demon as myself.The symptoms in my case are insulin resistance and midriff swelling due to my liver dumping glucose into my cells. Given that this is such a complex thing, I watch all test results.
Since going low carb I have stopped having skin infections. I pay particular attention to my blood sugar, three checks a day and saturated fat intake. That is what I do.
 
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