Donald Trump’s doctor gave some insight into the neck rash that has been spotted on the back of the president’s neck in recent weeks.
“President Trump is using a very common cream on the right side of his neck, which is a preventative skin treatment,” Dr. Sean Barbabella said in a statement to CNN on Monday, March 2. “The President is using the treatment for one week, and the redness is expected to last for a few weeks.”
The medical professional did not reveal the reason why Trump, 79, needed the cream. The White House has not addressed the president’s skin issue.
Earlier on Monday, Trump participated in the Medal of Honor Ceremony at the White House. During the event, Trump was seen with what appeared to be a red rash with scabs on the back right side of his neck. The skin issue could be seen near the president’s hairline and extended to the collar of his shirt.
This isn’t the first time Trump has been seen with skin issues. He has previously been photographed with bruises on his hand that sometimes have been covered by makeup. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt addressed Trump’s bruising in a February 2025 press conference.
“President Trump has bruises on his hand because he’s constantly working and shaking hands all day every day,” Leavitt said at the time. “President Trump is a man of the people. His commitment is unwavering, and he proves that every single day.”
Later that year, Barbabella revealed that Trump, who is the oldest president to take the oath of office, was diagnosed with chronic venous insufficiency. The condition is a form of venous disease that occurs when veins in a person’s legs are damaged, per the Cleveland Clinic.
“In recent weeks, President Trump noted mild swelling in his lower legs,” Barbabella wrote in a note read by Leavitt in a July 2025 press conference. “In keeping with routine medical care and out of an abundance of caution, this concern was thoroughly evaluated by the White House Medical Unit.”
Barbabella’s note added that the chronic venous insufficiency is a “benign and common condition, particularly in individuals over the age of 70.” He reiterated that Trump is in “excellent overall health.”
Earlier this year, Trump shared that his bruising was a result of the amount of aspirin he takes. In a January 2026 interview with the Wall Street Journal, Trump revealed he takes 325mg of aspirin a day (According to the Mayo Clinic, the typical daily dose for aspirin therapy ranges between 75 mg and 325 mg.)
“They say aspirin is good for thinning out the blood, and I don’t want thick blood pouring through my heart,” he told the outlet. “I want nice, thin blood pouring through my heart. Does that make sense?”
Later that month, Trump was seen with a bruise on his left hand instead of his right. (Trump shakes hands with his right.)
Leavitt revealed that the left-handed bruise was caused by Trump hitting his hand into the corner of a table.
