white flakey itch on Scrotum

[mbindiana]

Hi there, I am 37 years old and about 5 weeks ago I noticed a slight irritation on my scrotum, it itched a little, it looks like streaks  kinda in a line and is white and flakey and it can get crusty, I have tried hyrocrtisone creams, psorisen gel, but nothing seems to clear it up it takes the itchyness away but it is still there, if I dont use the cream it itches more. I never had any redness or red spots, no lesions our puss filled spots. I am a little worried about this and it is stressing me out a little, What might this be? is this an STD?? I have been with one girl for the past 8 months and I have never had anyting like this before in my life. Please help.
Thanks
MBIndiana

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

No STD causes flakiness or itching of the scrotum, or the sort of rash you describe.  Every one of the hundreds of things that cause skin rash anywhere on the body can affect the genitals, and I don't know what's going on.  But tinea cruris (jock itch) probably is the best bet.  Hydrocortisone not only doesn't help tinea, it can make it worse.  You might try an over-the-counter antifungal cream; ask the pharmacist for a specific suggestion.  If that doesn't clear it up, see a health care provider for proper diagnosis.  But this definitely isn't an STD.

Good luck--  HHH, MD

[ryn21]

Sounds like a fungal infection (ie. tinea cruris or similar).  The fact that steroid topicals didnt clear it up reinforces that possibility.  Try using over the counter anti-fungal topicals like Lamisil.  The combination of both anti-fungals and topical steroid cream may work well. If that doesnt work, you may want to see your GP about getting a prescription of stronger topicals.

[mbindiana]

Thanks I will look into that, but it did not seem like jock itch to me from what I have seen and read online it has never been red and it is in a small area just on my scrotum to one side. I do not exercise so I am not getting sweaty, I work in an office and sit at my desk all day I shower everyday and wash down there completly I had thought that maybe it was from my boxer briefs and pants rubbing it but. but since it has not cleared up wa sworried it might hve been an STD(glad to hear it is not) I have looked online and can not seem to find anything the ressembles what I have. Thanks for the advice

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

All those things increase the risk of jock itch, but most people with jock itch have none of them.  Trying an OTC antifungal cream like Lamisil can't hurt and might help, or just see a health care provider.  There's no point in any further osearching for answers online.