Persistent Groin Itch

Hello, I have a question in regards to a skin irritation that I have had in my groin area for the past 7 months or so. The skin on my scrotum, the folds between my scrotum and inner thighs, the area between my scrotum and anus, and the area where my penis shaft meets my glans (glands) has been itchy, almost prickly for quite some time. It is not unbearable, just rather annoying, especially when I sit down or when I wake up in the morning. There has been some redness on my scrotum, but other than that there is no rash at all. I have been to the clinic at my university and a doctor told me it was jock itch, to which I applied an anit-fungal cream with little to no relief. I have also used hydrocortisone cream sparingly because I thought perhaps the problem was the result of eczema. The irritation has been persistent, almost constant and I can't think of an extended period of time when it wasn't there. The irritation does however seem to relocate itself. For example, one day it will itch a lot on my scrotum and then the next it may itch on my penis shaft or near the head of my penis. I have been sexually active within the past year but never unprotected and only with a few partners. The one act that stands out in my mind is that I received oral sex without a condom from a girl, which makes me worried about herpes. Again, there are no rashes, bumps, blisters, ulcers, or even redness on my penis and slight redness on my scrotum which doesn't seem like it could be herpes. Also, the condition is almost constant, which is not parallel to reoccurring herpes outbreaks. I have no idea what this condition could be and any help at all would be greatly appreciated. Thank you

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Without examination, confirmation of a diagnosis is tough but it can bei intertrigo, sweat dermatitis,heat rash or fungal infection.

An intertrigo is an inflammation (rash) of the body folds.It most commonly occurs due to bacterial,viral or fungal infection. An intertrigo usually appears red and raw-looking, and may also itch, ooze, and be sore.

Pls keep the area clean and apply some topical antiseptics. Also wear loose-fitting cotton clothing and use an antibacterial soap or mild soap like dove.Avoid any kind of cosmetics.Topical zinc oxide cream like Sudocrem, Desitin are very helpful(apply with a paper towel and not directly with hands).Application of mild steroid cream like dermacort also helps.For the itching pls take some over the counter antihistaminic like benadryl or Claritin.In case the symptoms persist then antifungals may be needed.Pls consult a dermatologist in that case.

Hope it helps.Take care and pls do keep me posted on how you are doing or if you have any additional doubts. Kind regards.

[CJF32]

Thank you very much. After applying hyrdocortisone a bit more generously over the past two days the itch seems to be subsiding and the redness is beginning to disappear. Although it seems a bit ridiculous, I still can't put the idea of an STD like herpes out of my head. Does it sound like it could possibly be anything like that? Any information would be appreciated to help ease my mind. Cheers.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Pls don’t worry as the symptoms are not suggestive of herpes. Most individuals have no or only minimal signs or symptoms from HSV-1 or HSV-2 infection. When signs do occur, they typically appear as one or more blisters on or around the genitals or rectum. The blisters break, leaving tender ulcers (sores) that may take two to four weeks to heal the first time they occur. Typically, another outbreak can appear weeks or months after the first, but it almost always is less severe and shorter than the first outbreak.

In your case,there are no blisters or itchy or painful sores.So possibility of herpes is bleak.

Hope it helps.Take care and pls do keep me posted if you have any additional queries.Kind regards.

[CJF32]

Hello again,
I have been applying 1% hydrocortisone every few days and the itch seems to be subsiding. It is safe to apply this steroid cream to the area in such doses right? Thank you.