Scrotum redness and treatment

For over a year, the bottom of my scrotum was often itchy and dry.  It would even get a bit flaky.  So, I started to put some mostiurizing lotion on it, which made it better. Over time, the itcy and dry part spread.  And my scrotum got reddish.  If I wasn't aggressive in putting the lotion on it, it would even get so dry that there were small cuts in the skin and some bleeding (like if your hands get too dry in the winter, sometimes they can crack).

The redness began to spread upward and encompassed my entire sack, and slightly above. The skin would also get flaky.

Anyway, about 3 months ago, it was so bad, I looked it up on the internet and first heard of jock itch.  So, I made a trip to CVS and bought some Lamisil.  Well, it was awesome.  I put on the cream and the itching went away, and flakyness went away too, but not the redness.  Lamisil says only to use it for one week.  But once I stopped, all the symptoms came back.  

So, I decided to disobey the directions and began to use it twice a day -- now for almost 3 months.   Here is what is happening now.  There is no more itching, nor more flaking (unless I stop for a day... it comes back), and the redness is descending.  Well, my sack is still red, but the redness is decending on my sack.  It's not red anymore at the top of the sack where it meets my body.  But it's still is quite red at the bottom.

So, does this mean that the Lamisil is working?  And, is it okay to keep using it?  And, do you think that eventually the redness witll dissappear from my entirie scrotum and I can stop using it?  

Thanks.

[benthedog]

Anyone have answers to this post??

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
From the symptoms it sounds like jock itch. Apart from lamisil, wear loose-fitting cotton clothing and use an antibacterial soap or mild soap like dove. 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 please take some over the counter antihistaminic like benadryl or Claritin. In case the symptoms persist then oral antifungals may be needed. Please consult a dermatologist in that case.
It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.