I'm a physician and seem to be suffering from the same thing. I can attest that it is not a pilonidal cyst, because it first appeared after a trip abroad, and then spread to my girlfriend. Cysts don't spread like that. Infections do.
My assumption is that it is a fungal infection, just like tinea pedis (athlete's foot). Fungus is everywhere, and a healthy person can usually keep it in check. We get fungal infections most often when our gut bacteria (lactobacilli) become unbalanced.
In my case, I picked up a parasite while traveling (confirmed via stool-test), which, over time, caused an imbalance in my gut flora. Also, I'm sensitive to gluten, as are many people who don't know it. The best treatment I found was to first take appropriate anti-parasitic drugs to kill the causative infection, eliminate gluten from my diet to reduce any internal inflammation, and take lots and lots of probiotics (acidophilus--get the refrigerated kind) to reestablish my own natural defenses. Also, topical anti-fungals and powder to keep the area dry is a good idea.
It takes at least 3 months for the gut to rebuild itself, with appropriate treatment. After the gut environment is back to normal, these infections should cease.
Ive had this same exact problem as the original poster for maybe 10 years or so. Not something similar like alot of people on here. It hasnt bothered me, hell most of the time i dont even think of it...but like yourself once ot twice a year on the toilet there will be blood, just as you described. Ive never tried anything other then keeping myself clean.
Please let me know MR D how it turns out, and what worked for you, if anything,
I think I know what everyone might be talking about...I am a 20 y.o. Male and what I am suffering from is at the very top of my *** crack but on the INSIDE, it's not a hole! It's a "crack". No pun intended! haha No but seriously, it's raw and red, but it does not bleed. It feels like an open scab, it's itchy but it hurts when I try to wipe down there. It's just irritated and cracking. I feel like the skin splits sometimes.
Could this be because I go to the gym and do cardio? [lots of leg moving exercises]
And what should I buy?!
Don't use Any powder cause when you mix the oil based product with the powder what you have is nothing more than wet sandpaper that's making the sore worse and preventing it from healing.. I would use ( Natural Extra Virgin Olive Oil Soap). Pull up on the Web, Natural Extra Virgin Olive Oil Soap | Handmade Olive Oil Soap--Mozilla Firefox. It just may do the trick, but do have a look at this Website.
Toldman
this could be a fungus like jock itch, i think it was for me, some people are more susceptible to that. An antifungal powder helped me and also after I saw a dermatologist, prescriptions for Ketoconazole 2% (an antifungal cream) and Desonide, a general skin treatment cream. Don't just see a general dr. go to an experienced dermatologist.
Hi, I get these too & I use Desiten (what is used for a baby's bottom during diaper rash & it works amazingly! It might take a day or two to feel the results but it does work. I put it there when I get up in the morning & in the evening. Hope this helps.