Help - Folliculitis and Jock Itch

Hi,

I am in desparate need of some advice.  I saw my GP today, but am still concerned.  I am not quite sure what to do.  I would very much appreciate your help.

Jock Itch:
I have had dark patches around my thighs/groin/buttocks for at least 4 to 5 years.  In the past, it was never itchy, however over the past 12 to 18 months it has been very, very itchy and sweaty in crease areas. A few years ago, when I was quite overweight/obese at the time (my BMI is now in a healthy range), I would occasionally chaff around my thighs.  This resulted in boils happening in this area on many occasions and I still feel like there are some hard "bumps" under my skin in that area.  I had other skin symptoms which led me to my doctor a number of times this week, and I discussed this issue with her today.  It has been a very uncomfortable subject in the past, and was equally uncomfortable discussing it with her today.

She did not actually examine the affected areas and relied on my explanation of my symptoms. She did not mention anything about jock itch or treatments (though this is something that I identified through internet research) though later mustering up the courage to discuss this with a male pharmacist, I was told this was clearly jock itch and needed to be treated through a cream like Lamisil.  I have applied it, and it seems the itching is no longer there on even this first application.

I am very concerned though that this might have caused permanent scarring.  While I already have a light brown (indian) complexion, this area is almost black and looks very dry and "leathery".  I am wondering if there is anything which could be recommended for treating the skin in that area so that it returns to normal (or close to it) again.  I have heard that cocoa butter or other creams to treat keloid scarring may work - is this an option?  What about applying lemon - I have heard that this acts as a bleach.

Folliculitis:
Just for your background, I thought I should mention this, in case it is linked in anyway to the symptoms above.  I have been exercising a lot recently, and my GP has told me that it is as a result of this that I developed folliculitis all through my body, but particularly on my chest and abdomen.  It was very, very itchy and felt like the time I was bitten by sandflies.  At first, it was suspected as being scabies and the pharmacy recommended a lotion treatment.  My GP has since said that it is more likely to be folliculitis although it looks similar to scabies.  She said that I cannot exercise until it has healthed and that I will need to wax the affected the affected areas or otherwise exfoliate them - is this the best way to prevent recurrence?  Could this be in any way linked to the jock itch symptoms?

Thanks in advance for your help.  I am very concerned about this and am not sure how this will all pan out and whether I will get back to normal skin following moth of these.

Thanks.

[concerned_person_2009]

By the way, I am 25 years old.