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Dermatology (Expert Forum)
Does this sound like dermatitis
Answered by
Alan Rockoff, MD - dermatology, Child Skin Problems
The Rockoff Dermatology Center
Brookline - MA
This forum is for questions regarding Dermatology issues, such as: skin rashes, acne, birthmarks, skin infections, rosacea, and general skin care.
Does this sound like dermatitis
by DELLMAN, Jul 13, 2003 12:00AM
I have had an inflamation (inflammation) of my scrotum skin for approximately five months which was recently diagnosed as "resolving dermatitis" by my Dermatologist.It is on both sides of the scrotum but does not cover the entire scrotum. It has not spread and presents exactly as it did five months ago. Initially another dermatologist thought it might be a fungal infection but anti fungal creams and powders did not help.
I was under the impression that dermatitis would normally itch and sometimes the skin would become dry and flake,however my condition just appears as red skin with no itching but as the day progresses the area becomes quite warm and a bit irritated. I have tried all kinds of steroid creams both over the counter and stronger prescriptions...up to 2.5% hydrocortisone to no avail.
I am at a point that I may have to live with this condition permanetly since the dermatologist has not been able to explain why the condition has not responded to standard treatment.The real strange part about all of this is that in the morning when I first arise the skin looks almost normal,but within minutes as I begin to move about the reddness begins to appear and further progresses as the day wears on.
My questions are as follows:
1) Could dermatitis present as just reddness without any itching?
2)Could this be a non topical allergy since we have ruled out soaps,detergents etc...could it be bacterial related?
3)What would explain it's persistence...I am currently not applying anything but corn starch to keep the area dry,particularily when I run? 4)What would explain the relative normal appearence in the morning with increasing reddness occuring throughout the day?
5)Can dermatitis be this elusive relative to cause and persistence?
Any light you could shed on this would be appreciated...ie. patch testing for allergies,different topical treatments etc.
I was under the impression that dermatitis would normally itch and sometimes the skin would become dry and flake,however my condition just appears as red skin with no itching but as the day progresses the area becomes quite warm and a bit irritated. I have tried all kinds of steroid creams both over the counter and stronger prescriptions...up to 2.5% hydrocortisone to no avail.
I am at a point that I may have to live with this condition permanetly since the dermatologist has not been able to explain why the condition has not responded to standard treatment.The real strange part about all of this is that in the morning when I first arise the skin looks almost normal,but within minutes as I begin to move about the reddness begins to appear and further progresses as the day wears on.
My questions are as follows:
1) Could dermatitis present as just reddness without any itching?
2)Could this be a non topical allergy since we have ruled out soaps,detergents etc...could it be bacterial related?
3)What would explain it's persistence...I am currently not applying anything but corn starch to keep the area dry,particularily when I run? 4)What would explain the relative normal appearence in the morning with increasing reddness occuring throughout the day?
5)Can dermatitis be this elusive relative to cause and persistence?
Any light you could shed on this would be appreciated...ie. patch testing for allergies,different topical treatments etc.
Doctor's Answer
by Alan Rockoff, MD, Jul 13, 2003 12:00AM
, Jul 13, 2003 12:00AM
1. Yes.
2. No. An allergy would involve scaling and itching. It does not sound bacterial.
3. Redness of sensitive skin like the scrotum, whatever the original cause, can persist for a very long time.
4. Heat and friction would be expected to make anything pink look red.
5. Indeed, most dermatitis is just that.
My advice in cases like yours (there are many) is to leave the scrotum alone, free from any active treatment, and to ignore the redness, which by itself means nothing and will in all likelihood eventually go away.
Take care.
Dr. Rockoff
2. No. An allergy would involve scaling and itching. It does not sound bacterial.
3. Redness of sensitive skin like the scrotum, whatever the original cause, can persist for a very long time.
4. Heat and friction would be expected to make anything pink look red.
5. Indeed, most dermatitis is just that.
My advice in cases like yours (there are many) is to leave the scrotum alone, free from any active treatment, and to ignore the redness, which by itself means nothing and will in all likelihood eventually go away.
Take care.
Dr. Rockoff
thanks
Dr. Rockoff