Jock Itch

Starting 7/4/05, after swimming daily over the weekend, and leaving my bathing suit on too long, I have had a dark purple/brown/red discoloration in my crotch area. It goes out onto my upper thighs on both sides. Over the counter meds have made it not itch, and the color has become less bright. I went to a Dermotologist, got a script for the cream mixture, a 21-pack of MethyIPREDISolone 4mg, and Nizoral. I did the 21 pack, but after 2 tabs of Nizoral, I read that it could cause "fatal damage to the liver" SO I stopped. I have HEP C, and the Doctor knew it. I couldn't believe he prescribed that! The prescription creme didn't seem to help.

I have read extensively on this so my hygene is excellent, I powder with Desenex, and spray at night with Tinactin, Cruex/Lotrimin. However, the discoloration is still there, going on 5 months now. I keep the area dry and apply the anti-fungal meds everyday.

Do I still have a fungus, or is the skin just permanetly discolored? If the discoloration means that the fungus is still there, how the heck do I get rid of it without taking oral meds that might hurt my liver?

My Wife is afraid that it's contagious, so my sex life has been on hold. I grow weary of this. A Paramedic at work suggested Vinegar and water as a home remedy.

By the way..........anything new out there for Rosecea besides Metrocreme and Doxicycline?

HELP!!!

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

I am pretty confident, based on your description, that even if you had a fungus to start with, all you have now is discoloration.  Your doctor must have been unsure to begin with, because Nizoral is an antifungal cream but methylpredisolone is a steroid, which is not generally used for a fungus.

In any case, fungus is not contagious.  I know this sounds unlikely, but it's true.  I see cases of yeast in women and fungus in both men and women all the time, and their partners don't have it.

So, see a doctor for definitive diagnosis and reassurance for both you and your wife.

And yes, there are other treatments, both topical and oral, for rosacea.  Your doctor can enlighten you.

Take care.

Dr. Rockoff