I have always been rather well-endowed in the chest region. With this newest Psoriasis flare, my skin has gotten so sensitive that I often end up not wearing a bra because they bind and rub in all the wrong places and end up causing horrific rashes that bleed. Well endowed + no bra + warm, moist skin = recurring yeast infections of the skin. I get them other places too - anywhere skin sets against skin and is warm and moist. I have topical treatments that I use liberally and often, but that only helps keep the symptoms under control. It doesn't really prevent the infection from coming back (I'm not convinced it goes away at all, but rather just kind of hunkers down and pretends to be invisible for a bit). Being on biologics/MTX, I worry that this particular symptom is an indication of something bigger - for example a systemic sort of yeast infection (I think its called candidiasis). I have talked with my doctor about this, but for some reason the infection disappears whenever I have an appointment so he only has what I'm saying to go by. He hasn't seemed to be concerned, but this has happened enough that I'm starting to worry which is never a good thing. Its not as though I don't have enough other physical issues to deal with already!
Does anyone else have this problem? In your collective, esteemed opinions is this something I should be concerned about? Should I take a stronger stand with the doctor? Should I quit being a weasley, simpering silly person and just suck it up and deal? <throws hands up dramatically and screams like a little girl> What would you all recommend?
Good idea…I always take pictures of disappearing symptoms. I go through my photo log with the rheum each time, because it never fails that when I go see him, I have not one external physical symptom.
Yeast infections are common with inverse psoriasis. Typical, inverse occurs anywhere there are folds in your body. Yeast infections will cause flares. Using topological steroids will feed the yeast infection. Your. Best bet is to get your psoriasis under control to where you can dry out your skin so you can get rid of the yeast. Be careful on what you use to dry your skin, yeast will feed off most over the counter stuff. I would advise not taking pillform stuff with MTX. There is something called zeosorbe af or something thay works well, but call your dermatologist or rheumy firsr.
It sounds like you have inverse psoriasis. Many people have it under the breasts and in the groin. I have it in a few small places in my groin area, where skin touches skin. My ob/gyn always thinks it is yeast, it looks pretty much the same. Mine flares randomly. I keep it under control with the ointment I use for my other psoriasis areas (Betamethasone). For me, I have to alternate between keeping the area dry, and coating it with ointment. My biggest issue is underwear rubbing at the groin / thigh junction. But then if I don't wear it, the skin on skin makes it worse. It's a tough issue.
I hope someone has some great advice for you. Things I would suggest offhand, would be to clean, pat dry, coat the area with whatever works on your other psoriasis. Then use medical tape to tape down some gauze over the area. Then put on your bra. The gauze will hopefully prevent chafing, absorb some moisture, keep the area clean, and the medication on the spot. You may also consider switching to something like http://breastnest.com/ to avoid the underbreast strap chafing. Best wishes!
It’s common to have yeast infections with inverse. It’s hard to diagnose inverse psoriasis because of this issue. You can tell the difference by the smell. I have had this issue all my life. Inverse can be very resistant to treatment, but steroids typically work. However, the steroids may make the yeast infection worse. Get your psoriasis under enough controll that you keep the area dry without pain. I would avoid using fluconazole pills with MTX. Zeasorb AF works great for yeast infection. If your skin is not raw. Thats my 2 cents. Sorry for the repeated post.
Thanks for your input, all. I probably do have inverse, though the smell that keeps wafting up tells me there is certainly some yeasty issues going on also. I have a doc appt on Friday, so I'm taking a pic (great suggestion!), so if it miraculously disappears, at least I'll have something to show him.
As for getting the psoriasis under control....I've been trying to do that for EVER. :) Seems like the only thing that works to keep it under control for me is Remicaide - which I'm discussing getting back on at the same doc apt. Cross your fingers!
I'm suffering with this at the very moment! And I'm new here "Hi All!" AND I can't believe that the thing I was wondering about is right here in this discussion. I must be living right...LOL
This has been happening to me for over a decade now and I never knew that this terrible painful rash under my breasts was related to psoriasis or to arthritis. I have been in menopause for a couple of years and thought that the over abundance of hot flashes I had caused this to happen. I've never mentioned it to any Dr. of mine, never thought it was related to anything but now that I think back, not very far...fibro fog, during these times I was unable to do much because of arthritis pain.
Sooo not knowing what this was caused from I treated it out of my med bag with diaper rash ointment and or baby powder. I am treating my present episode with baby powder but it is more persistent this time for whatever reason. I go braless a lot. Doesn't really bother me because I don't go anywhere, kind of a recluse,thank you rare diseases. But being an old hippie, I've been bra less before :)
I'm wondering if this breakout wasn't caused from de-toxing. I've been testing myself and the meds I'm on trying to find out what actually is working for my Geniculate Neuralgia. This came on during day 2 of testing myself.. Anyway, I'm glad to hear what it is. I will ask my Gp to give me something for it now, something that I can have in my med bag in case it happens and I'm down seeing my neurosurgeon or something.
I was looking back at some pictures the other day and there was one family picture where you can definately tell I was wearing no bra. I remember that I was broke out in a rash clear down my stomach. I have lasting scars from having this happen so much over the years. All I'd really have to do now is show my Doc my scarring. She'll prolly give me the dickens!
Thank you for the wealth of info I have found here already and this is only my first day!
Welcome, onemorething! Glad you joined us, but not glad you have the PsA that caused you to seek us out. Joining this board was the most proactive thing I've done since I was diagnosed with PsA. There are a lot of really awesome people here who have more collective knowledge and experience than I ever imagined. I've made, dare I say, friends here as well, which is kind of awesome in my insular world.
I'm an old hippy chick also. I remember my mom despairing that my boobs would be down to my knees if I didn't wear a bra when I was younger. Silly mom. My boobs were already approaching knee-length even back then (just kidding!) Anyway, I bought some things called "Ahbras." They are similar to sports bras, but less constricting. The only problem now is on really bad days I can't lift my arms over shoulder-height, and the Ahbras are all one piece, so that's the only way to get them on (or off). So some days I can't even wear those - or can't get them off at the end of the day! I bought them at Dollar General, for those of you who are interested. They come in S,M,L,XL, XXL, and XXXL - so there is a size for everyone! They are super comfortable and don't bind, which is an awesome thing when the under boob area is red and irritated! They are also made of some kind of breathable fabric, so it is almost like not wearing anything at all!
As a followup to my original post, the doc decided I have both inverse psoriasis AND a yeast infection (lucky me!) He recommended I treat with over the counter miconozole cream until the smell goes away, then follow that up with my prescription Psoriasis ointment until the last traces of red rash disappear. It seems to be working. I am officially off Enbrel (since it wasn't working anyway), and will begin Remicaide in early January. I am still taking the MTX and now am also taking sulfa-something-or-other to treat my IBS. Oh goody, more pills (NOT)!
Thanks again to all of you who answered my question, and to the rest of the members of this board also. I literally wouldn't have made it through all of this PsA garbage without you guys.
Marietta. Have you used the Breastnest product. Sounds interesting. I bought one and will let you know how I like it. Thanks for sharing.
Marietta said:
Hi Tmbrwolf,
It sounds like you have inverse psoriasis. Many people have it under the breasts and in the groin. I have it in a few small places in my groin area, where skin touches skin. My ob/gyn always thinks it is yeast, it looks pretty much the same. Mine flares randomly. I keep it under control with the ointment I use for my other psoriasis areas (Betamethasone). For me, I have to alternate between keeping the area dry, and coating it with ointment. My biggest issue is underwear rubbing at the groin / thigh junction. But then if I don't wear it, the skin on skin makes it worse. It's a tough issue.
I hope someone has some great advice for you. Things I would suggest offhand, would be to clean, pat dry, coat the area with whatever works on your other psoriasis. Then use medical tape to tape down some gauze over the area. Then put on your bra. The gauze will hopefully prevent chafing, absorb some moisture, keep the area clean, and the medication on the spot. You may also consider switching to something like http://breastnest.com/ to avoid the underbreast strap chafing. Best wishes!
Someone else mentioned putting gauze under your breasts. It won't hurt to do that all the time to help wick the moisture away.
Or wash clothes. I know people who prefer the wash cloth method as it is more cost effective (just wash and reuse!) but I would, of course, do what works for you.
I use acidophilus capsules orally on a daily basis, just to keep the levels of candida in the gut at a manageable level.
They can be inserted vaginally or rectally if you get a bad flare. not sure about other skin creases, maybe open the capsule and sprinkle some on the skin.
When its really bad I take metronidazole daily for 7-10 days. Here in Australia this can only be prescribed by a specialist eg rheumatologist. its the same drug you get over the counter for thrush but for longer term use and much cheaper in a bulk pack.
If you get it orally as well ( some drs and pharmacists will look at you sideways suggesting you have unhygienic sexual preferences, this really pisses me off) get some fungalin lozenges.
A bout of gastro, antibiotics, stress will set it off for me. I am getting better at managing it.
When on the humera I had a bad case of oral thrush that resulted in loosing a tooth.
My opinion is don't put up with it. Whilst it can be a minor irritation it can quickly become debilitating.
Also reducing sugar intake makes a big difference to the overall thrush burden. I have reduced my alcohol to 1-2 glasses per week and no added sugar in food, no processed food. Its hard and I fall off the plan regularly but when I stick to it I am much healthier.
Yes, I have this problem also. Yeast infection under the Bra area and in other areas as well. Mine is not caused by PsA, however. It's caused by Diabetes. With Diabetes you are more apt to get yeast infections.
Have you been tested to see if there are any other possible medical causes for this? The yeast itself can be easily treated. It's the under laying cause I would be concerned about.
A nurse actually gave me a very good remedy many years ago for this yeast infection which can appear as a red rash, burning and itching in any warm moist area where skin rubs against skin. It works very well and I've been using this for several years now. The rashes have gone away.
Just purchase some Zeasorb antifungal treatment powder as some others have described here. Here in the US you can buy this in any drug store. This was created for athlete's foot, which is the exact same thing as the yeast you are getting under the Bra line etc. This powder will kill the yeast, get rid of the itching and rash and help keep these areas dry as well. It works wonders.
I do advise you to check with your Dr. first, to be sure there isn't something else going on, but I'll bet this will get rid of it for you.
This may be too much info....but I too suffered as you do. I tried Gold Bond medicated power under my breasts and it helped. In 2010 I finally said enough is enough and sought out a plastic surgeon and had a bilateral reduction. This aleviated the pain I was having in my neck and shoulders as well as other issues. I can't believe I waited until I was 54 to do this. I went from a HH to about a D cup and haven't looked back......it really does help...