The White House says Donald Trump is using a common cream as a preventative skin treatment for redness on his neck, with his physician saying the treatment will last one week while the rash may remain visible.
A red mark on President Donald Trump’s neck that caught the attention of photographers this week is being treated with a common skin cream, according to the White House physician, who described the treatment as precautionary.
Images taken during a Medal of Honor ceremony at the White House on Monday showed a noticeable red patch on the right side of the president’s neck just above the collar line, prompting questions about the 79-year-old leader’s health.
In a statement issued after the event, White House physician Dr. Sean Barbabella said the redness was linked to a routine dermatological treatment.
“President Trump is using a very common cream on the right side of his neck, which is a preventative skin treatment, prescribed by the White House doctor,” Barbabella said.
He added that the treatment would be short-term but the visible redness could linger.
“The President is using this treatment for one week, and the redness is expected to last for a few weeks,” Barbabella said.
Despite the explanation, the White House declined to provide additional information about the condition being treated. Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters Wednesday she had nothing further to add beyond the physician’s statement.
“I don’t have any additional details beyond what the doctor shared,” she said when asked about the reason for the treatment.
SKIN TREATMENT NOTED IN MEDICAL REPORT
Trump’s April 2025 physical examination listed the use of mometasone cream, a topical steroid often prescribed for skin irritation or inflammation, as needed for an unspecified condition, according to the Associated Press.
Barbabella has repeatedly described the president’s overall health as strong.
Following a medical evaluation at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, the doctor said imaging scans of Trump’s heart and abdomen taken last October were part of routine preventive screening and returned “perfectly normal” results.
The physician also said at the time that the president was in overall exceptional health.
HEALTH UNDER SCRUTINY
Trump’s health has drawn heightened scrutiny during his second term, particularly given his age. When he was sworn in last January, he became the oldest President in US history to take the oath of office.
At times, observers have noted bruising on his hands and swelling around his legs.
Trump previously attributed the bruising to his frequent use of aspirin, while the White House said one injury occurred after he struck his hand on a table while travelling.
Last year, after swelling appeared around his ankles, Barbabella said testing revealed chronic venous insufficiency, a common condition in older adults that affects blood circulation in the legs.
