My son gets a severe rash around his waistband. My husband used to get the same thing, stopped wearing underwear and it went away. I assumed it was the same for my son. Maybe an allergy to the elastic. He tried the no underwear but it did not work. I bought him special boxers with that don t have elastic exposed but it hasn t helped. A few years ago, he scratched so badly, it turned into MRSA and he has horrible scars. He doesn t have open sores right now, but he says it itches constantly and looks very irritated. Cortisone cream helps but he knows he can t use that for very long. Any suggestions?
Hello Sue, It is possible he is getting pressure-induced urticaria that is aggravated/triggered by the pressure of the elastic. As he tried the no underwear without help, it is likely he is getting urticaria (hives and bumps, red and itchy) at other times or places and scratching aggravates the problem and has got secondary bacterial infection. Fusidic acid cream is treatment for the local skin infection but occasionally may require IV antibiotics if he is getting fever etc Long acting antihistamines with calamine lotion as local suiting effect is recommended for at least 6 weeks. CBC, LFT, ANA, TSH fT3 fT4 are tests that are usually done in urticaria to see if there can be identifiable causes. Thanks.