Adventures at a Korean Dermatology Clinic!

I have a small rash in the middle of my back. I'm not really worried about it, but it's been there for a while, it's about the size of a quarter, and it's starting to piss me off.

One of the fun things about living and working in a foreign country, is that chances are, you will need a translator whenever you need to attempt something that back home would otherwise be a personal solo project - such as investigating rashes.

Instead, I get to ask my co-teacher, who in turn decides to tell the rest of the teachers in our office why I'm going to the doctor. It's not that I'm embarrassed about having a rash, though the potential for misguided assumptions is high in this place. My co-teacher mimed something to the others about me having a rash (apparently the same word in Korean - perhaps Konglish) and I was met with sour faces and nods.

Yes, people, I am the scourge.

So, I go the the dermatologist. And this is the converstaion...

Dermatologist: Let me see your rash.
Me: (Lifting-up my shirt) It's here, but it's been here for about a month.
Dermatologist: Do you shower?
Me: Excuse me?
Dermatologist: Do you shower?
Me: Yes.
Dermatologist: You need to shower.
Me: Ummmm...
Dermatologist: You need to get the sweat off your body.
Me:...
Dermatologist: Don't use body wash. Use soap.
Me: Okay.
Dermatologist: I will give you steroid cream. Apply twice a day.
Me: Awesome.

So, now that I've been introduced to the concept of "showering" when I sweat, and I've been handed a tube of "steroid cream", I expect to not only be clean and fresh, but I also expect to improve my batting average. The visit cost me (including steroids) a total of under 5,000 won ($5.00), and it took about 5 minutes to be in and out.

I guess I'll have to go with the recommended medication. I won't be going to Thailand anytime soon, where I could have used Andrew's tried and true method of tropical sun-burning and peeling off back fungi. Rash, be gone!