Do I have jock itch or a yeast infection?

I'm a 23-year-old male. For the past week or so I've had a very fast developing rash in my groin area. I've never had anything like this before. I'm not overweight, not sexually active, and take showers daily. I don't have the money to go see the doctor and don't have insurance.

I did some research online and initially thought it was jock itch, but now I'm beginning to wonder. I bought some Lamasil and have been using that for the last few days, but the rash seems to be expanding. I bought some baby powder with talc or something, and that just seems to make it worse.

I'm uncircumcised. I don't seem to have any burning when I urinate, but since yesterday I'm starting to notice that my urine has a fairly strong odor. It isn't discolored or cloudy. The rash is on the outside of my foreskin and upwards towards the base. The rash is also on both thighs, and the highest part of the thighs are starting to crack like a fissure. It's very red and seems to be leaking fluid to the point that my underwear is wet in the morning. There's also an odor strong enough that I have to take two showers a day.

Does anyone have any clue what this might be or what I should take?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
From the symptoms it looks like intertrigo. Keep the area clean and apply some topical antiseptics. Also wear loose-fitting cotton clothing and use an antibacterial soap or mild soap like dove. Avoid any kind of cosmetics. Topical zinc oxide cream like Sudocrem, Desitin are very helpful(apply with a paper towel and not directly with hands).Application of mild steroid cream like dermacort also helps. For the itching please take some over the counter antihistaminic like benadryl or Claritin. In case the symptoms persist then antifungals may be needed. Please consult a dermatologist in that case.

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.

[Angebelle]

From your description, it doesn't sound like a yeast infection, as there would be other signs at the tip.  The symptoms you're experiencing are closer to a severe case of jock itch.  Mild cases are treatable with OTC creams, sprays, and powders, however severe cases, require prescription meds, topical and/or oral.  You should really see a doctor at a local clinic for treatment.  Otherwise, you need to stick with those OTC treatments for at least 10 days, keeping the inflamed skin clean and dry.  Wear loose clothing if possible, too, and wash bedding, towels, etc.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
From the symptoms it looks like intertrigo. Keep the area clean and apply some topical antiseptics. Also wear loose-fitting cotton clothing and use an antibacterial soap or mild soap like dove. Avoid any kind of cosmetics. Topical zinc oxide cream like Sudocrem, Desitin are very helpful(apply with a paper towel and not directly with hands).Application of mild steroid cream like dermacort also helps. For the itching please take some over the counter antihistaminic like benadryl or Claritin. In case the symptoms persist then antifungals may be needed. Please consult a dermatologist in that case.

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.

[Sobefobik]

Thank you Bhupinder. I looked up some photos online and I'm quite positive that I do have Intertrigo. The photos look identical identical to what I have (I have the satellite lesions).

As far as a topical antiseptic, I have been using Listerine the past couple of days. Do you think that is ok, or would something like alcohol or hydrogen peroxide be better? I have also been using Selsen Blue in the shower--is that ok or would a softer soap be better, like Dove? I Have also been applying Lotrimin for the past 10 days or so, which doesn't seem to be very successful. Do you recommend applying Desitin as well as well as Lotrimin simultaneously?

What do you recommend for keeping the area dry? I have tried powders, but they don't seem to be helping me with that and I itch more when I use them. The fissures do seem to be healing, but they're not completely gone.

I really appreciate your response!

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
First of all instead of Listerine, use mild antiseptics like Savlon. Also use Dove or Cetaphil and wear cotton underwears and change them twice a day and do not share other people’s towels. Application 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. However if the symptoms are severe then please get it evaluated from a dermatologist.


I hope it helps. Take care and regards.

[Sobefobik]

Bhupinder,

Thanks so much for your invaluable advice! I started using Desitin, and in a few days it's almost completely clear!

Now that I have it under control, what do you suggest do prevent it from occuring again? I'm not overweight and don't have any other serious medical conditions, although I do have eczema from time to time. But my eczema is not that bad and I've never had any kind of outbreak like this. Could that have caused this rash?