Rash around belly button? Dermatologists?!

[Munku]

Anyone with skin knowledge able to identify what this could be? It randomly showed up at a single bump, just 1 of the ones in the pic. Then through the course of a week, it spread out to what the pic shows. And it's been like that for over a month now. It hasn't changed in coverage any more than it did in the first week but it will start itching and kind of is a little flaky scab after itching it. I shower all the time and had recently cleaned my bedsheets so I dont think it's anything like that. Also no one else in the house has it. It is also only in this one spot. Please help!

http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/5610/rash5yj.jpg

[snowy]

DId you recently change soaps or laundry detergent? Did you recently start using fabric softener? Are your jeans tighter than usual and rub on that spot? Have you been to a pool or hot tub recently?

Go to the doctor, especially considering you've had it for a month and it hasn't cleared up. There are any number of things that cause those kinds of reaction in the skin--that's why there's a catch-all diagnosis called "contact dermatitis." They'll hopefully be able to give you a better diagnosis than that if it is something more serious, or refer you to a specialist (dermatologist) if necessary.

[Elphaba]

My husband had something that looked similar on his back, that was caused by dry skin and abrasion (he was like a bear with a tree as a back scratcher). The doctor gave him a small jar of a steroid cream and it went away in about five days.

Your doc will know what it is.

[noodle]

Yup. I had almost identical bumps last year. Right about this time, come to think of it. I tried anti-fungal creams and they helped at first but then they spread. The doctor didn't know what they were and told me they were ingrown hairs. On the side of my left thigh. And they spread. Yeah, uh-huh. I just cleaned them twice a day with alcohol, then spread some neosporin directly on each bump with a q-tip to form a barrier over the skin because they started to hurt when I worked out more and my clothes were rubbing. It took about three months for them to go away. But definitely ask your doctor!

[thingstodo]

Are your pants a little tight? That might cause a problem with small boil-like things that won't go awa unless you change how your clothes fit. And I have to agree with everyone esle...only a Dr. can really help you.

[Munku]

Pants are loose, usually worn a few inches lower than my naval, haven't changed soaps or detergents. Nothing's really changed which is why I find this so weird.

[Sage]

Doctor! Doctor? Doctor.

Better yet, Dermatologist.

It itches. This is a sign that there's something NOT RIGHT with the skin in this area. It won't go away. This is a sign that your body is HAVING TROUBLE dealing with said issue. That's why there's doctors