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How to treat scaly, itchy skin rashes on ankle?

This Premium Q&A, reviewed and published, features a real conversation between an iCliniq user and a physician.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

I have a skin rash on my ankle. It has been there for six months now. I have tried Penicillin, steroid antifungal cream, and cider vinegar as well but, it is slowly getting bigger. It is itchy with scaly flaky skin. I feel some fluid inside the red raised dots when I scratch it. It starts to smell after a while.

Please help.

Thankyou.
Answered by Dr. Rakesh Kumar Bahunuthula

Education:

MD

Professional Bio:

Dr. Rakesh Kumar Bahunuthula is a well-experienced Dermatologist, Cosmetologist, and Hair Transplant Surgeon. He is skilled in treating a wide range of skin, hair, and cosmetic concerns, including acne, pigmentation, aging-related changes, and skin disorders. Dr. Bahunuthula specializes in advanced hair restoration techniques, aesthetic procedures, laser treatments, and minimally invasive cosmetic solutions. He emphasizes personalized care, natural-looking results, and improving patients’ confidence and overall appearance.

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Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Indeed the clinical image (attachment removed to protect patient's identity) is more in favor of tinea corporis which is a fungal infection of the body. It also has the potential to spread, and using steroid-based creams will add to the resistance of the problem. Kindly mention if there are any similar lesions elsewhere, if you keep your feet soaked for longer times and if you keep wearing the same socks.

I hope this helps.

Kindly follow up if you have more concerns.

Thank you.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

Thank you for replying back.

I do not find any other areas like this. I change the socks every day and often wear boots if it helps?

Thankyou.

Answered by Dr. Rakesh Kumar Bahunuthula

Education:

MD

Professional Bio:

Dr. Rakesh Kumar Bahunuthula is a well-experienced Dermatologist, Cosmetologist, and Hair Transplant Surgeon. He is skilled in treating a wide range of skin, hair, and cosmetic concerns, including acne, pigmentation, aging-related changes, and skin disorders. Dr. Bahunuthula specializes in advanced hair restoration techniques, aesthetic procedures, laser treatments, and minimally invasive cosmetic solutions. He emphasizes personalized care, natural-looking results, and improving patients’ confidence and overall appearance.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Consult other doctors in the same speciality

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

It would be preferable to treat the lesion as tinea corporis. As you have only one single lesion, you can be managed with topical creams alone. However, you need to use them without fail regularly for a minimum of two weeks. The prior use of steroid creams could further increase the time for clearance of the lesion, as the immunosuppressive effect of steroids may last up to three to four weeks. Fungal infections have a tendency for recurrence, if the patient is not compliant with the treatment. Hence, it is strictly advisable to regularly use the prescribed cream with strict adherence. Also, avoid wet work and soaking your feet for longer durations, preferably avoid socks which would cover up to the lesion as it would retain the sweat locally and add to the problem.

Probable diagnosis

Tinea corporis.

Treatment plan

1% Clotrimazole cream (Lotrimin/ Canestan should be available OTC ) or Terbinafine cream (Lamisil OTC). To be applied on the lesion and up to 2 cm beyond the border twice daily for up to two weeks. Take Tablet Loratidine 10mg (Claritine OTC) or Levocetrizine 5 mg once daily, after dinner, for two weeks.

Preventive measures

Avoid shoes and socks. Avoid soaked feet and wet work.

Regarding follow up

Review after two weeks.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Vinodhini J.
Published At February 6, 2020
Reviewed At February 2, 2025

Education:

MD

Professional Bio:

Dr. Rakesh Kumar Bahunuthula is a well-experienced Dermatologist, Cosmetologist, and Hair Transplant Surgeon. He is skilled in treating a wide range of skin, hair, and cosmetic concerns, including acne, pigmentation, aging-related changes, and skin disorders. Dr. Bahunuthula specializes in advanced hair restoration techniques, aesthetic procedures, laser treatments, and minimally invasive cosmetic solutions. He emphasizes personalized care, natural-looking results, and improving patients’ confidence and overall appearance.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Consult other doctors in the same speciality

Education:

BDS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Vinodhini J. is a Dental Surgeon with extensive years of clinical experience. She specializes in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of dental and oral health issues, including restorative, surgical, and cosmetic procedures. With a patient-centered approach, she focuses on maintaining oral health, alleviating discomfort, and enhancing smiles. Her expertise ensures comprehensive care tailored to each patient’s dental needs and overall wellbeing.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

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Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Rakesh Kumar Bahunuthula
Dr. Rakesh Kumar Bahunuthula

Dermatology

Consult this doctor

Education:

MD

Professional Bio:

Dr. Rakesh Kumar Bahunuthula is a well-experienced Dermatologist, Cosmetologist, and Hair Transplant Surgeon. He is skilled in treating a wide range of skin, hair, and cosmetic concerns, including acne, pigmentation, aging-related changes, and skin disorders. Dr. Bahunuthula specializes in advanced hair restoration techniques, aesthetic procedures, laser treatments, and minimally invasive cosmetic solutions. He emphasizes personalized care, natural-looking results, and improving patients’ confidence and overall appearance.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Consult other doctors in the same speciality
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How to treat scaly, itchy skin rashes on ankle?

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