3 Skin problems in embarrassing areas, will the doctor think I'm a freak?

[JOE1991]

OK, so the first two skin problems I have are buttock boils, and redness on the scrotum (which i believe to be eczma). I have had both of these problems for about 4 years and funnily enough they have never bothered me, but now I'm 19 they have worsened and they really ARE bothering me. I used to pop the boils so I have scarring, along with new boils, luckily the scarring isn't too bad and with a bit of sun it should be fine, but I do want to stop them from occurring from now on. The redness which turns pink and sometimes dry and scaley on my scrotum itches most in the mornings, otherwise it has never been a real impairment apart from being visually nasty.

Over the last 3 weeks though, I have noticed small bumps on the tip of my penis which also itch and resemble the shine of the eczma on my scrotum. More itching has also spread to my buttocks and in particular my anus seems to be very red and today there is a slight scab I think.

I have excellent general hygiene, showering twice a day and now with antibacterial soap, I always make sure I clean all areas of my body properly, so I'm not a dirty person.

I have some questions about these problems:

1. Could they be a sign of a bigger problem?
2. Can 'time' heal these things, could it be my young hormones?
3. Is it normal for me to be very nervous about my doctor's appointment with all these problems, can't I just ask to refer me to a dermatologist to give me one big checkup? I feel like a freak.

Any advice would be appreciated. I was a very happy, popular, sexually active young man until 6 months ago but recently these problems along with going bald young are really stressing me out, and I am becoming depressed.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
From your symptoms it looks like folliculitis and boils on the buttocks and perineum and eczema on the scrotal sacs. Folliculitis is the inflammation of one or more hair follicles. The condition may occur anywhere on the skin. It starts when hair follicles are damaged by friction from clothing or blockage of the follicle. Boils are caused by infection of the hair follicle by staph aureus.

Wear cotton clothes and apply warm compresses and topical antiseptics on the bumps. Then apply some topical antibiotics cream like Neosporin. For the eczema, apply hypoallergenic mositurisers and topical steroids after consulting a dermatologist. You can take some antihistaminics to relieve the itching. Since you are having recurrent boils, get your blood sugar levels estimated as diabetes may presdispose to recurrent boils.

I hope it helps. Take care and please do keep us posted on how you are doing.

[JOE1991]

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