Rash in pubic region

[trevor31]

Hello.  I have been battling with a rash in the pubic area for over a few years now.  It began when I played hockey which lead me to believe it was sweat related.  The rash is concentrated right under the pubic hair in the crease at the top of my penis (the pubic area). It also spreads to the upper part of my inner thighs.

After first seeing a doctor I was prescribed Novo- Clobetasol 0.05%.  This gave me no results whatsoever. So i saw my doctor again and she felt it must be some sort of fungal infection.  I had already tried canesten with no success but i was now given a Fucidn CR/Hydroval CR AA Compound.  This again had no effect.  I went back to the doctor and we tried an Elocom CR + Lamisil Cr 1:1 Compound which had no effect.  Next we tried a Clotrimaderm + Fucidin Cr Compound, again with no success.

I now was referred to a dermatologist.  He immediately diagnosed it as Contact Dermatitis.  I was prescribed Desonide 0.05%.  Again this had no effect.

After returning to the dermatologist he simply told me that since it is only contact dermatitis all I can do is try and minimize the rubbing of the area and keep it as dry as possible.  He also told me to not shave the area because the metal may cause irritation.

Well due to injury I have gone months without working out (therefore sweating) at all.  I have been using baby powder on the area after i shower and I have not been shaving.  

This skin just seems completely dry but using moisturizers just seems to do nothing for me.  I have fair skin to begin with and have had instances of exzema in the past with were easily cured with cortizone cream.

I'm worried that using all these creams has completely destroyed the layer of skin.  

I hope that you have an idea of what the problem is or that you may have some suggestions for me.  This has being going on far too long!

Thanks and I appreciate your help

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Contact dermatitis from chafing seems indeed to be the most likely diagnosis.  Fungal infection does not seem possible, nor STD's.  I am really not sure why you seem to not be getting better.  I can only speculate that either you are doing something to irritate the skin (rubbing, repeated checking of the skin), or else that you are over-interpreting mild redness and chafing that are meaningless and best ignored.  There is certainly nothing to worry about here, and no reason whatsoever for you to avoid working out.  By the way, creams do not and cannot destroy a layer of the skin--desonide in particular is safe to use in the groin indefinitely.  I advise you to check in with the dermatologist again.  This rash is having a far greater impact on your life than it ought to.

Best.

Dr. Rockoff

[scott2800]

A related discussion, rash in pubic region was started.

[trevor31]

Thanks for your answer.  Perhaps I am over-interpreting the redness - I have quite pale skin I guess that makes it seem like more of a problem.  Do you know of anything that might reduce the chafing when i workout other than applying baby powder to the area?

[trevor31]

I forgot to mention that I have not been sexually active for quite some time - I can rule out any chance of an STD