Rash on scrotum

[slims237]

About a month ago i noticed some persistent itching on my scrotum on both sides.. i scratched them a lot. the next day i have what appears to be a red flat rash on both sides of my scrotum. I am 27 years old and married. The itching has been worse in the evening and early morning. I am typically good with hygiene i.e showering daily until recently since my wife and i have a newborn daughter and time has not allowed for much time other than to take care of her. the rash has never produced anything "pimple like" or anything of the sort. just inflamed and red in patches. I have tried some triple antibiotic ointment to see if it did anything, it didnt do much at all. the itching has been less and less but the rash is still there. The thighs are not effected nor is the shaft or head of the penis. no painful urination at all. any thoughts on what this could be? it has been there like i said for almost a month. ive been taking my temperature and its been consistently between 98-99F. Should I be concerned with an STD? my wife and I are monogamous and havent had sexual intercourse in some time seems how our daughter takes up most of the time.  any response would be appreciated thanks

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
The symptoms are suggestive of fungal infection, tinea cruris. Wash your scrotum daily and then dry thoroughly by pat drying, not rubbing. A hairdryer is useful if you have hairy groins. The damp skin is an ideal site for fungi to multiply. Also wear cotton underwear and change them twice a day and do not share other people’s towels.Application of local antifungal cream(terbinafine, clotrimazole, econazole, ketoconazole, miconazole) and oral antifungal drugs are the mainstay of treatment. If the symptoms still persist then please consult a dermatologist.
Hope it helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing. Kind regards

[slims237]

Thank you for your quick response. Although all ive read about tinea cruris says it starts in the folds of the groin. this is only effecting my scrotum and my perineum (between my scrotum and anus) does that change your thoughts?

[slims237]

I purchased a clotrimazole 1% cream, this should clear up the problem? if so how long might it take to see results? Ive applied it two times so far.

[slims237]

Thank you for your quick response. Although all ive read about tinea cruris says it starts in the folds of the groin. this is only effecting my scrotum and my perineum (between my scrotum and anus) does that change your thoughts?I purchased a clotrimazole 1% cream, this should clear up the problem? if so how long might it take to see results? Ive applied it two times so far.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Fungal infection can effect any area of the lower limbs, be it groins or perineum. You need to apply the antifungal creams and it should provide relief in a few day , but if the symptoms persist, then you need oral antimicrobilas. A dermatologist’s consultation will be the best in that case. Also wear loose-fitting cotton clothing and use an antibacterial soap or mild soap like dove. Avoid any kind of cosmetics.
I hope it helps. Take care and please do keep me posted in case you have any additional doubts. Kind regards.

[slims237]

Thank you for getting back to me. I've been applying the clotrimazole for a few days now and the itching has gone away almost completely and the rash is fading away but slowly. do you know how long it will take for it to go away completely?? I assume that if i keep using it that it will continue to do so. Ive got an apt with my family doctor to take a look as well. Thank you again for your input