Discoloured butt crack and itchiness

Hi

i have been experiencing itchy anus and along the butt crack since a few days now. The doctor thought it to be psoriasis and prescribed Dovobet ointment. I have been applying the same past 2 days but with no relief. Today i noticed that the whole butt crack is discolored! The skin has turned white (my skin tone is wheatish). I am very stressed and thinking negative...Please help!

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
It looks more likely due to fungal infection of the area. Wash the area daily and then dry thoroughly by pat drying, not rubbing. The damp skin is an ideal site for fungi to multiply. Also wear cotton underwears and change them twice a day of local antifungal cream(terbinafine, clotrimazole, econazole, ketoconazole, miconazole) and oral antifungal drugs are the mainstay of treatment.

You can consult a pharmacist and get any cream or lotion containing these ingredients. It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.