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Long-term scrotum/groin redness/itch/burning/stickiness
For the last four years, shortly after ending a relationship with a woman who had asymptomatic genital herpes, I have had a nearly continuous skin irritation covering the very bottom underside of my penis, my entire scrotum, and running to my anus. It is also at the tip of my penis (glans?), where my (circumcised) foreskin ends and the head begins.
- My scrotum is always bright red after shower, strangely shiny and sticky feeling, and sore. This is by far the worst-affected area.
- Itching varies from mild/continuous to sudden and intense bursts.
- I get occasional bursts of itching in my upper thighs and buttocks, (but NO RASH here - no leading edge - not jock itch).
- There is frequently chafing/burning pain in affected areas.
- Sweating and heat seems to make all of the above symptoms worse, almost immediately. If I get sweaty one day, everything is worse for days afterwards.
- Cortisone seems to help for a day, but after day one the itching and redness seem to get worse. Same seems to happen with antifungal powders/cremes/sprays: A day of semi-relief followed by a worsening of symptoms.
- When everything first started four years ago, I saw a dermatologist. He cultured, used dyes & looked at me with his magnifying goggles, never found evidence of yeast or bacteria.
- I should note that I am positive to HSV-1 since 1993 (6 years prior to my relations with the lady), and get occasional herpes cold sores on my upper lip. I have never seen any kind of lesions in my groin area, however. I recently tested negative to HSV-2.
- A test run of 400mg Acyclovir 5x/day fpor 7 days did nothing to help (I should note that I was having prodrome on my lip even while taking the Acyclovir). My symptoms also do not abate during or after a breakout on my lip. My lip breakouts can be pretty severe.
- One dermatologist and a urologist think this is unlikely to be Herpes. I was told 'possible Jock Itch' and told to use Cruex, (2% Mic. Nitrate) but this doesn't seem to be helping, and because the scrotum is by far the worst area, I think jock itch is unlikely.
Help! I've seen messages from other people on the Internet who have the 'shiny itchy burning scrotum' problem. What could this be, and what actions should I take?
- My scrotum is always bright red after shower, strangely shiny and sticky feeling, and sore. This is by far the worst-affected area.
- Itching varies from mild/continuous to sudden and intense bursts.
- I get occasional bursts of itching in my upper thighs and buttocks, (but NO RASH here - no leading edge - not jock itch).
- There is frequently chafing/burning pain in affected areas.
- Sweating and heat seems to make all of the above symptoms worse, almost immediately. If I get sweaty one day, everything is worse for days afterwards.
- Cortisone seems to help for a day, but after day one the itching and redness seem to get worse. Same seems to happen with antifungal powders/cremes/sprays: A day of semi-relief followed by a worsening of symptoms.
- When everything first started four years ago, I saw a dermatologist. He cultured, used dyes & looked at me with his magnifying goggles, never found evidence of yeast or bacteria.
- I should note that I am positive to HSV-1 since 1993 (6 years prior to my relations with the lady), and get occasional herpes cold sores on my upper lip. I have never seen any kind of lesions in my groin area, however. I recently tested negative to HSV-2.
- A test run of 400mg Acyclovir 5x/day fpor 7 days did nothing to help (I should note that I was having prodrome on my lip even while taking the Acyclovir). My symptoms also do not abate during or after a breakout on my lip. My lip breakouts can be pretty severe.
- One dermatologist and a urologist think this is unlikely to be Herpes. I was told 'possible Jock Itch' and told to use Cruex, (2% Mic. Nitrate) but this doesn't seem to be helping, and because the scrotum is by far the worst area, I think jock itch is unlikely.
Help! I've seen messages from other people on the Internet who have the 'shiny itchy burning scrotum' problem. What could this be, and what actions should I take?
A related discussion, nooo was started.
A related discussion, itchy scrotum was started.
A related discussion, Groin Itchiness/stickiness was started.
Ok where do I start...
About 5 months ago I developed a mild red rash on the top of the penis head and sought a clinical diagnosis. At first i was told its nothing and to forget about it but it didnt go away and I sure didnt forget about it.
I was referred to a Dermotologist and he thought it was a fungal type infection and prescribed Hydrozole 1%, that didnt help at all. In the meantime I had blood tests for HSV1/2 and HIV with the only results being a 1 Gg for HSV2. He then prescribed Famvir 125mg episodically, having not provided any relief he refered me to the local STD clinic.
The STD doctor carried out tests for all the usuals and confirmed a positive to HSV2 and recommended to continue using the Famvir even though I told him it did nothing, by this time the mild rash had become a red inflamed foreskin, dry penis skin and itchy scrotum. Shortly after I was back there to see a different doc and they prescribed Famvir 250 mg suppressively even though I had explained that these symptoms were all day every day and had been for about 3 months.
I have been taking the anti-viral medication as prescribed and the problem is getting worse, in addition to the formentioned symptoms the skin in the groin and around the anus is burning and itching constantly. I have spoken to a Herpes support group and they suggested that I am definately not displaying Herpes symptoms and that there is something else wrong. While researching the net I found some help but I would like to hear the opinions of clinical professionals and patients whom have heard of, seen, treated and/or cured similar problems.
Please reply to - ***@**** - if you can help with anything.
Kind regards
Kevin
About 5 months ago I developed a mild red rash on the top of the penis head and sought a clinical diagnosis. At first i was told its nothing and to forget about it but it didnt go away and I sure didnt forget about it.
I was referred to a Dermotologist and he thought it was a fungal type infection and prescribed Hydrozole 1%, that didnt help at all. In the meantime I had blood tests for HSV1/2 and HIV with the only results being a 1 Gg for HSV2. He then prescribed Famvir 125mg episodically, having not provided any relief he refered me to the local STD clinic.
The STD doctor carried out tests for all the usuals and confirmed a positive to HSV2 and recommended to continue using the Famvir even though I told him it did nothing, by this time the mild rash had become a red inflamed foreskin, dry penis skin and itchy scrotum. Shortly after I was back there to see a different doc and they prescribed Famvir 250 mg suppressively even though I had explained that these symptoms were all day every day and had been for about 3 months.
I have been taking the anti-viral medication as prescribed and the problem is getting worse, in addition to the formentioned symptoms the skin in the groin and around the anus is burning and itching constantly. I have spoken to a Herpes support group and they suggested that I am definately not displaying Herpes symptoms and that there is something else wrong. While researching the net I found some help but I would like to hear the opinions of clinical professionals and patients whom have heard of, seen, treated and/or cured similar problems.
Please reply to - ***@**** - if you can help with anything.
Kind regards
Kevin
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
It could be eczema, which does everything you say you have, and would not respond to an antifungal like Cruex, because eczema is not a fungus. Topical anti-inflammatory creams (cortisones, others) make the condition go away, though it recurs from time to time. There is usually no specific inciting cause, though a contact allergy is an unlikely possibility. Please have a dermatologist check this out, recommend allergy tests if appropriate, and get proper treatment. I don't think you need to spend time ruminating about herpes.
Best.
Dr. Rockoff
Best.
Dr. Rockoff
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