can I pass a fungus from my hand to my scrotum

[skinnyJ]

While living in Central America last year I came down with a fungus on my hands. I had it in three places. Using an antifungal cream two of the locations cleared up. However one, between my thumb and index finger continues to show back up every now and then. A few days ago I noticed my scrotum and some areas on my shaft that touch my scrotom had some shiny red bumps that were barely noticeable unless really inspected. I have had genital hepes for 10 years, so i regularly check myself to ensure that I have no sympotms of an outbreak.   Having had many outbreaks over the years I have very familiar with the symptoms. I began to treat myself as if it was an outbreak just in case. However, after a few days nothing has really improved.  I know how my body usually responds to valtrex or acyclovir treatments and by now things should have began to change if it was an outbreak. First for the worst, then for the better. My symptoms have pretty much stayed the same and this does not seem like an outbreak at all.  My scrotom is red and shiny, it feels a little smoother than the rest of my sack. I dont have much itching associated with the redness (unlike a regular herpes outbreak). So if I hadnt done my regular visual inspection i probably wouldnt have even noticed.

Now this showed up a day after I had masturabated. So I am wondering could i have passed my fungus from my hand to my scrotum? Can one get a fungus on you penile shaft?

I continue to treat myself with valtrex just in case, but have also tried Hydrocortizone cream and Lotrimin Ultra.  The hydrocorizone seems to have helped a bit, but nothing super conclusive to say, "thats really helping it go away".  I tried the Lotrimin, which burned a bit, and did make it itch a bit, but hasnt shown to be very helpful either. I know fungus' take a long time to get rid so, if it is fungus it might just need more time. But if its not I dont want to continue to put antifungal cream on my sack if its not a fungus.

If it continues much longer ill go to a doctor. But id like to try and treat it on my own if possible.  Any redness is cause for concern so could I have a fungus, could it be a really wierd outbreak, could it be something else like warts? Ive only been having sex with my girlfriend. Any help would be great.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Fungal infections are highly contagious and it is possible to transfer the fungal infection from the hands to the crotum. To me it sounds like tinea corporis. Wash your groin daily and then dry thoroughly by pat drying, not rubbing. A hairdryer is useful if you have hairy groins. The damp groin 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 persist then please consult a dermatologist as oral antifungals may be needed.
I hope it helps Take care and please do keep us posted in case you have any additional doubts. Kind regards.