Itchy Scrotum particularly after sweat and shower

[bbjai]

Hi

My scrotum has been very itchy the pass couple of months. It generally itches after i touch it and also I've noticed if I've sweated (say after sport). I dont know if its related but after sports i tend to itch in the scrotum area and spread to other areas of the body mainly legs, back, thighs and buttocks. I never itch in the chest area.

When i scratch the related areas the skin has alot of enraised bumps that go away after a while. The scrotum has this issue too. Please help as it became so itchy that i scratched till it stung when i showered. It can itch under any condition but I noticed particularly after sweat

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
I cannot confirm anything without examination but it can be jock itch. Jock itch shows up in post-adolescent men and hormonal changes during puberty, lifestyle and heredity each play a role. Predisposing fungal disease like tines cruris may also aggravate it. Wash your groin daily and then dry thoroughly by pat drying, not rubbing. A hairdryer is useful if you have hairy groins. The damp groin is an ideal site for fungi to multiply. Also wear cotton underwear 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. Most cases of  fungal infections respond to over-the-counter products, which contain any of several basic ingredients: miconazole, tolnaftate, terbinafine,ketaconazole and clotrimazole. You can consult a pharmacist and get any cream or lotion containing these ingredients. Some of them are Lamisil, Monistat derm, Mycelex, and Nizoral.

I hope that helps. Take care and please do keep us posted in case you have any additional doubts. Kind regards.

[bbjai]

Cool I was considering getting Lamisil and I'll give it a go tomorrow. Just a quick question doc, i itch over the body too sometimes is that related to jock itch or just the scrotum itch is related to jock itch

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
If the itch on the body is associated with red rashes, then it can be due to fungal infections but if there is no visible rash then it can be due to dry skin or xerosis. Other conditions cause itchy skin as well. Skin conditions like psoriasis or dermatitis , internal diseases like liver and kidney disorders, diabetes, iron deficiency anemia, irritation and allergic reactions to chemicals, wool, soaps, cosmetics and certain foods  can cause itchy skin.

You can apply an anti-itch cream or lotion to the affected area. Oral antihistamine, such as Benadryl can also be used. You should take a comfortably cool bath and wear smooth-textured cotton clothing. you should choose mild soaps without dyes or perfumes and use a mild, unscented laundry detergent when washing clothes, towels and bedding.

Please take a second opinion from a dermatologist if the symptoms persist. I hope that helps. Take care and please do keep us posted in case you have any additional doubts. Kind regards.

[bbjai]

I've used Lamisil jock itch cream for around 10 days and the itching has really died down. I no longer have the urge to itch all day. However I still feel like i need to scratch it from time to time (Especially after towelling the scotum area). I take care not to scratch it when drying off but its hard with a towel. is this normal? Should i buy another tube and continue applying to affected area until all the symptoms disappear?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hi,
It's good that the symptoms have resolved. You can apply the cream and if the symptoms persist then please consult a dermatologist and get prescribed oral antifungal drugs. Hope it helps. Take care and regards.