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lexicon · Joined: 28 Jul 2004 Posts: 8 Location: Ibaraki, Japan

I've been here for 2 months now (coming from North America) and have somehow developed a slight skin rash on my left arm and on right side of my stomach. The rash is only present in these 2 places and is characterized by little red "dots." Does anyone have any information on what is causing this? I'm thinking it could be ingredients in the soap that I use or in the laundry detergent. I'm really not sure.

When I lived in Korea, the same slight rash appeared on my left arm, but soon disappeared. At that time, I blamed it on the heat (sun rash).

I don't have a history of or problems with rashes in the US, so I'm just curious as to what's causing it and how to treat it.

A colleague of mine (also from the US) has developed the same thing, so I'm not the only one. She doesn't know the cause either. Is this common for foreigners?

Does anyone have any info or tips?

stillnosheep · Joined: 01 Mar 2004 Posts: 2068 Location: eslcafe

Yes. It's asian thrush. First it slowly spreads to cover your entire body; then your d ick drops off.

lexicon · Joined: 28 Jul 2004 Posts: 8 Location: Ibaraki, Japan

Great response. Are you speaking from experience?

Does anyone have any useful or comments?

stillnosheep · Joined: 01 Mar 2004 Posts: 2068 Location: eslcafe

No; from Shikoku.

Glenski · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Posts: 12844 Location: Hokkaido, JAPAN

I have not heard of it.

This is one time you should really take only one piece of advice from a discussion forum full of strangers...

Go see a doctor.

TokyoLiz · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1548 Location: Tokyo, Japan

Uh...What Glenski said.

king kakipi · Joined: 16 Feb 2004 Posts: 353 Location: Australia

I had the same thing just before summer; lasted for over 4 months. It spread to my upper back and face too. I saw three skin doctors who made lots of `cooing` noises and gave me various ineffective creams and oral medicine. In the end, I had a blood and allergy test; nothing helpful there either. Nothing to do with detergent or diet apparently. It has subsided GREATLY (now disappeared) since:-
1. I stopped spraying my face with water in the shower (the jet was very powerful) and
2. I started applying, lightly, baby powder to my face and affected body parts (Gives me that kind of `Harajuku` look, but it is better than the rash)
(The doctors suggested neither of the above)
I was going to do a CELTA here to further my career, but I am now seriously considering going into dermatology as I can do dignosises in Japanese (just say `oooooo`,`nnnnn`, shake your head and look pained...)
Good luck

stillnosheep · Joined: 01 Mar 2004 Posts: 2068 Location: eslcafe

So you managed to catch it in time before the d ick dropping off stage then.

(Noises offstage of d ick dropping off).

Dazai · Joined: 11 Oct 2004 Posts: 74

Hives I would say. Nothing to worry about. Geez what a dork this sheep dude is.

spidey · Posted: Tue Oct 12, 2004 6:44 am Post subject:

stillnosheep...?

maybe he/she should be called..."stillnosleep."

That might explain a few things. Razz

canuck · Joined: 11 May 2003 Posts: 1921 Location: Japan

lexicon · Joined: 28 Jul 2004 Posts: 8 Location: Ibaraki, Japan

AgentMulderUK · Posted: Tue Oct 12, 2004 10:35 am Post subject:

It is caused by the weather, very probably. You can buy various creams, or wait until it goes. See any pharmacist in the stores, if they don't seem worried it's not serious. They know what the serious stuff is and will then start to make more than "oooo" noises!

Celeste · Posted: Tue Oct 12, 2004 11:13 am Post subject:

My husband has had the same thing. We attributed it to the water at the time. I have heard that you can ward off minor fungal infections (like heatrash) by using dandruff shampoo as body soap. Never tried it myself though.

Eleckid · Joined: 03 Jun 2004 Posts: 102 Location: Aichi, Japan

Maybe 2 possible reasons.

1 is the water. If the water is hard water, then it might give an itch to some people.

2 is your sweat. Especially if someone is from cooler & dryer countries. Humidity can give some people rashes cuz of their sweat. Order some Alveno (cream for heat rash), you can get them in Canadian supermarkets but I'm not sure if you can get them in Japan. Try to get some cooling powder either from a drug store or 100yen shop. I got a bottle from the 99 shop & it worked the same for me. After drying yourself from the shower, puff some on your back, neck, & anywhere where it can easily get sweaty & sticky. The most important thing is at all time try to keep your body dry.

It's getting dryer & dryer as fall comes, so your rash should be gone soon.

If you're itching to death from your rashes, try taking a cold bath with baking soda, it helps the itch. Get well soon!