RASH

I Have a persistent irritation in the gential (genital) area.  It doesn't so much itch as it feels like the hair is pricking back into my skin.  The skin is somewhat red too.  I have been to derm. and given pramosone and hyrocortisone as well as acid mantel cream.  None of which has worked.  I have had sucess with temovate cream but the irritation comes back when the cream is stopped. (  I was told not to just stop using the tomovate cream due to adverse reaction so I slowly weaned myself off the cream.  Two days later the "irritated feeling" comes back.  I have been told that this is dermatitis but I have never had a problem in this area.  I have been dealing with this for six months and I am fed up with feeling this.  It is consuming me at this point.  Any suggestions at what this persisten irritation could be???Thanks for your HELP!!!

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Stephanie:

Many people have persistent dermatitis/sensitive skin in the genital region.  Temovate can't be used chronically, but weaker preparations, like 2.5% hydrocortisone or desonide cream 0.05%, can be used off and on indefinitely. I'd wash with a mild soap like Basis or Purpose, and get a prescription for one of these creams, or another like it.  In my experience this annoying but noncontagious rash generally peters out when kept under control.

Good luck.

Dr. Rockoff

[don't be upset]

This may sound funny, but it happens. Have you recently had a hair trim down there? Quite some time ago I decided I needed a haircut(you know where). Well, a few hours after my "trim" I noticed the area was irritated. I came nowhere close to the skin, but apparently the blunt ends of the trimmed hair were at poking my skin. It did feel itchy and prickly. Hope this helps someone.