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STDs  (Expert Forum)
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Rash and itch in Groin
Answered by
Edward W Hook, MD - HIV Prevention, stds
Welcome to the STD Forum, which is intended only for questions and support pertaining to sexually transmitted diseases other than HIV/AIDS, including chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, human papillomavirus, genital warts, trichomonas, other vaginal infections, nongonoccal urethritis (NGU), cervicitis, molluscum contagiosum, chancroid, and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). All questions will be answered by H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D. or Edward W Hook, MD.

Rash and itch in Groin

by bw123123, Jun 21, 2009 02:51AM
During a recent trip to Taiwan, I visited a karaoke club. I had a couple of girls sitting with me and received a few lap dances. At no time did I remove any of my clothing (i had on long pants and a long sleeve shirt) or have any skin to skin contact with the girls with the exception of my hand on their hips and buttocks The girls wore underwear and I did not touch their genitals. I washed my hand prior to peeing.
When I got back to my hotel room I started to feel a little itching around my back upper legs and front of groin. I chalked this up to guilt since it was so immediate.  I flew home the next day and arriving home noticed a rash on my inside upper legs near my groin which went away a few days later. (Seemed like a typical heat rash). While the rash subsided the itch did not and I became very concerned. I self diagnosed and was convinced it was crabs so I used RID which made the itching and redness worse. I developed several (5-6) red bumps spread across the front on my groin and even a couple of very small red spots on my penis (nearest to the groin not the head)I saw my regular doctor who gave me a cortisone cream but no change so i saw a dermatologist who prescribed an anti itch cream and different cortisone. (I feel a little itchy all over) I specifically asked both doctors to check for lice etc. and neither found anything. During my trip, I had clothes laundered, used the same workout clothes 4 days (washed them in the sink) and had a legitimate massage (I did not remove my underwear) 2 weeks into this, the itching is still there but better but the small red bumps are still there with some mild discomfort/pain in my groin and I cant shake the feeling that somethings crawling around down there.I suffer from prostititis and the discomfort I am feeling is similar although I have never had the itching or rash in this location. I can't imagine that I really could have gotten anything from this particular activity but could use your feedback.

by Edward W Hook, MD, Jun 21, 2009 08:13AM
There is no risk of STD related to the events you describe in the karaoke club.  No STDS of any sort can be passed through clothing.  In addition, the onset of the itching you experienced almost immediately after the trip to the club is far, far too soon to be due to any STD or other infection acquired there.  Infections typically take at least two days to become symptomatic.

Regarding your initial symptoms, this sort of symptom is notoriously unreliable.   Sometimes after an exposure that, in retrospect, one wishes they had not had, persons tend to examine themselves and be far more attuned to genital sensations than in periods when they are not concerned.  This in turns leads to noticing what turn out to be normal sensations that might have been not noticed or ignored at other times.  Perhaps this was a contributor to your situation.  Itching in particular is common following such events.

As far as the rashes you describe, you are working with trained professionals who have had the chance to examine you and observe your response or non-response to their treatment.  Sometimes getting these sorts of things taken care of requires a bit of trial and error.  My advice would be to continue to work with them to address the problem.  I suspect it is some benign dermatological problem and am confident that it is not the result of an STD.

Hope this helps.  EWH
Member Comments (3)

by bw123123, Jun 21, 2009 12:56PM
To: Dr. hook
Thank you and yes this does help. I think the condition is definitely worse due to my feelings of guilt and concern. This is pretty typical for me.

One last thing, while in conversation a waitress spit while speaking and i felt the drops hit my face and eye area.

I assume this is of no concern but can you confirm?

Thanks again, I appreciate it.

by Edward W Hook, MD, Jun 21, 2009 01:45PM
This has no effect on your risk or my advice.  EWH
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