Penal rash

Hi, i am gay and i have had a many partners in the past. For the last year, i have calmed down a lot. i came back over new years vacation and noticed red bumps under my shaft. They didn't itch. A couple days later, my foreskin began to inflamate. I went to the doc and i was given some cortisone (or however you spell it). i applied it and it was ok for a couple days, but then it began to itch more. then it began to spread to the opening of my foreskin. now i'm developing blemishes on the top of my penis and the area that used to be inflammed is now dry and kind of flaky. I'm not sure if this is a skin infection or fungus or what. The doc took some swabs on the outside to test for herpes and one other std. I'm still waiting on the results. Do you know what this might be? I've researched it and i thought it could be scabies or a yeast infection of some sort, or even dermititis. please respond asap.

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,

These can often be due to eczema, allergic reactions, dermatitis, erythrasma or intertrigo. Sorry i was unable to see the pictures.

Jock itch, known scientifically as tinea cruris is a fungal infection that affects the skin folds in the groin or pubic region. It is uncomfortable, can be itchy, and usually presents as a red rash. It is more likely to occur in men , and is usually the result of exposure to and growth of the fungus Trichophyton rubrum. It may occur with more frequency if a person has excessive sweating in the groin region and does not wear moisture wicking clothing.

Standard treatment to get rid of jock itch is to apply cream, ointment or powder containing an antifungal agent, like miconazole or clotrimazole. These can often be purchased over the counter, though occasionally a higher dosage of an antifungal treatment needs to be prescribed. On rare occasions the condition is so severe that it needs to be treated with an oral antifungal medication. This is uncommon, and most people notice the discomfort of jock itch long before it reaches an advanced stage.

If you are trying to get rid of jock itch and have never had it before, it is important to have it diagnosed by a medical professional.

There are other skin conditions that can be similar. Intertrigo can also cause rash in the groin folds, and erythrasma is a bacterial infection that may mimic tinea cruris. Both of these conditions can be misdiagnosed, especially by laypersons, as jock itch, but they require very different treatments. Using antifungals to get rid of jock itch that is really erythrasma is a huge mistake, since it can exacerbate the problem.

Once you have been given a definite diagnosis you’ll generally get rid of jock itch by applying an antifungal cream twice daily to the affected area. It is also very important to keep this area cool. Change underwear a few times a day if you work in hot or sweaty conditions, and wear breathable and loosely fitting clothing. Cotton cloth is a good choice.

When you shower, you should be certain that the affected area is fully dry prior to putting on clothing. You should pat rather than rub the area dry, so as not to make itching worse. You can even use a fan, or a blow dryer on a cool setting to dry the area first prior to getting dressed.

If you get frequent outbreaks, you can use an antifungal cream or powder, or even corn starch or baby powder, once a day, to get rid of jock itch more permanently. You should also follow the above suggestions for keeping the skin as cool and dry as possible, and for clothing choices.

Let us know if you need any other information.

Regards.