antibiotic fungus

ok, 3 years ago, i had pneumonia and was on a very strong antibiotic... it got rid of the pneumonia but seems like it left me with other still lingering problems.... i got this rash between my scrotum sack and my legs, this went on for a year maybe two, then, to my but crack, almost like it was traveling.... then it seemed to go away and come back every once in a while, it was so itchy almost like it was athletes foot on the scrotum... i tried the stuff for jock itch but it didnt seem to work but, it really doest comeback anymore, the problem is, now i have a rash at the sides of my but where the skin touches the other side of the crack. it does not go down to the anus, its only where the two cheeks meet, from the top about 4 inches down and about 1 inch wide and more on the right cheek then the left, its constant nowadays. it doesnt really itch too much and seems to fade in and out, sometimes it really flares up and other times just is kinda there. like i said it just wont go away, no mater what i put on it... any ideas would be helpfull! I am an otherwise healthy male, 39 years old married for 22 years, however here is the other problem, my wife was unfathfull to me a year after i had pneumonia and the but rash really didn't start till after her affair. but she has no problems at all! please help..

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
From your symptoms the possibility of intertrigo needs to be ruled out. It is an inflammation (rash) of the body folds. It most commonly occurs due to bacterial, viral or fungal infection.

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 also helps. For the itching you can take some over the counter antihistaminic. In case the symptoms persist then please get it examined from a dermatologist.

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.