Cruel Summer

Summertime is here, and for a fat girl, that means some extra care is needed in certain areas. Fortunately, I've found some things that really help.

Under-breast rashes
Rashes under the breasts in summertime are the result of yeast infections. They can be cleared up with jock itch or athlete's foot creams (miconazole is your friend). Prevent them by washing your bras EVERY time you wear them, with bleach if you can, keeping the area dry with medicated powder (Gold Bond works), and showering daily, cleaning the area with soap and water.

If the miconazole cream does not bring enough immediate relief, Desitin is very soothing, and it does not stink like it did years and years ago (and, try the creamy type; it goes on easier and washes off your hands easier). Put that on along with the miconazole; you need to fight the infectious agent as well as easing your pain.

Rashes between thighs
Nothing is as painful as getting a raw, red rash between your thighs as they rub together. Prevention is key, but they sometimes crop up anyway. Some tips for prevention:
1. Avoid pantyhose if you can help it. The nylon will rub you RAW, especially as you sweat.
2. Use pantiliners to absorb moisture, and change them as needed.
3. Use medicated powder to keep the area dry. Keep powder in your purse for reapplication.
4. Make sure your pants don't have holes in that area; reinforce them with patches before they wear out. The holes are worse than just not having pants on at all (wear a skirt, you pervs!), because the fabric rubs.
5. Clean the area very carefully during a shower; if it's hard to reach, get a sponge on a stick or something. This is especially important after sex, as the fluids produced can be especially irritating to the sensitive skin down there.

If you manage to get one anyway, the very best thing you can apply to the rash is Desitin. It soothes and heals the rash, and if you get the "creamy" kind, it doesn't have the terrible odor that you might recall from years ago.

Athlete's foot
Once you get it, you're pretty much stuck using medication for at least two months. If it persists, you should talk to your doctor about a prescription medication. Athlete's foot is a fungus that eats the dead skin on your feet. So, keep your feet clean and dry, scrub them to remove loose, dead skin, and use lotion to prevent your skin from drying out too much. Use powder in your shoes or on your feet to absorb moisture, use socks that wick away moisture, and avoid going barefoot in shared showers and hotel rooms.

If you do get athlete's foot, use the medication every day for two months, even if you don't have symptoms. If you stop too soon, it won't be eliminated. Wash your feet at least twice a day with soap and water, and dry them off thoroughly. Don't re-use the towel without washing it first. Don't re-wear your socks before washing, and preferably, bleach them if you can. Don't wear the same shoes every day if you can help it (or, get crocs and disinfect them daily), and spray the shoes out with an athlete's foot spray before/after wearing. If you have any foot care items, like a foot file or nail clipper, disinfect them between uses.

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Another item I've found to help soothe rashy skin AND itchy feet is CVS's foot soap with bran, borax, and iodide. It can be added to a bath for a soak, or just to a bucket of water for a foot soak. It tingles at first, but after fifteen minutes, the rashes and itches will be soothed. Dry carefully and apply whatever medicated cream or lotion you need for your problem.

I hope this has helped some of you.