Intensely itchy, red rash on scrotum/groin

Question

I have read your answer on the above question. I am an uncircumsized male who has had recurring problems with this condition. You trangressed to mites, and hydrocortizone creame. My scrotum became highly inflamed and red with itching. What worked for me was clotrimazole creame or triazole. These are antifungal drugs and the results were amazing. If you have a way to help those that seemed to get no answer please let them know.
Currently I have developed a swelling with lesions on my cheeks and have some early symptoms on my scrotum of the old problem. The doctor gave me metronidazole which is anti-infective medication. It isn't working and I fear my symptoms are gettting worse. It started with a mild itch above my righ eye in the morning. By the next day it had spread to both cheeks with some puss form the lesions. Could it be the same fungus from the groin? I don't think it is the rosacea the doctor is treating because of its overnight spread. Swelling seems to be spreading and the metronidazole doesn't seem to be helping. I am continuing treatment in hopes I am wrong.

This discussion is related to Intensely itchy, red rash on scrotum / groin and itchy legs.

limestonecowboy · Answer

Try petroleum jelly on scrotum at night and wear boxer shorts to keep from getting on bedding. It will stop your fingernails from doing more damage. Use Hydrocortizone during the day.  Mine cleared up in 2 or 3 days. I still don't know what caused it.

SteroidHell · Answer

I know this is an old post, but I've been researching Amlactin.  It seems it contains an Alpha Hydroxy Acid.  This doesn't sound to me like something that should be used on the genitals.  Sounds like the Alpha Hydroxy Acid is what caused the redness.

I was hoping to try it on my nuts after two doctors destroyed the skin on them with Lotrisone.  I was hoping it would thicken the skin up.  But I don't know if it would do this after the fact and the Alpha Hydroxy Acid scares me.

BKaurMD · Answer

Hi,

Good to hear about your recovery. best wishes and have a healthy future life.

Whisperwood61 · Answer

I never took the steroid perscription but the other meds worked.  I coated the rash on my hands with calamine lotion and it slowly went away.  Weather it was totally due to the calamine lotion or the other meds I'm not sure.  The meds taken were:
Cephalexin (Keflex) 500mg, 1 tab for 4 days; Cetirizine (Zyrtec) 10mg, 1 tab a day for one month; Fluconazole (Diflucan) 100mg, 1 tab immediately;.  The Predinisone (Deltasone) 20mg was not needed.  The lotion Ammonium Lactae (Amlaction) was tried but wasn't really needed.
     Thank you for your help.  I hope you get this.

BKaurMD · Answer

Hi,
Good to hear that you are benefitting from the treament. If Amlactin lotion is causing redness, then it can be due to irritant contact dermatitis. Keep your doctor informed and do not use it. Wishing you best wishes and a speedy recovery.

Whisperwood61 · Answer

Your help was very much appreciated.  I knew the diagnogsis was wrong.  There was no way Rosacea would have come on that quickly plus the Metronidazole takes three weeks to show improvement.  By then my face would have swollen bigger than my body.  Ha!
     I went back the next day and gave the Doctor my old information from the groin rash.  It was everything you said; red, swollen, warm, hardened and a painful rash.  I took the list of drugs I took for it about four and five years ago.  The drugs were Amoxicillin; Clotrimozole; Fluconazole; Prednizone and Citrizine (Zyrtec).  The doctor prescribed the folloiwng and they seem to be helping but the swelling is slowly going down.  They are:  Cephalexin (Keflex) 500mg 1 tab 4 times a day for infections; Cetirizine (Zyrtec) 10mg 1 tab a day for a month for allergic reactions; Fluconazole (Diflucan) 100mg 1 tab immediately for Fungal infection; and Prednisone (Deltasone) 20 mg 1 tab a day for 3 days; which he wants me to use only if the others don't work due to the steroid nature. He also recommended Ammonium Lactate (Amlactin) 12% lotion.  I tried it but it seemed to redden the skin and increase swelling so I went to the Vaseline Intensive Care lotion I always use.  I will see how it works.  The swelling is I think slowly going down.  The hardness is fading and the rash spread seeming to stop.  It will of course take a few days to see any noticeable difference.
     Spending the time you do helping people on the forum is wonderful.  I am returning the favor by giving you all the information I can.  This comment does not allow inserting a picture so I cannot do so.
     Once again, thank you for your help.

BKaurMD · Answer

Hello,
I have seen your picture and one possibility that comes to my mind is erysipelas. It is an acute streptococcus bacterial infection of the dermis, resulting in inflammation. It appears as a red, swollen, warm, hardened and painful rash which may contain some vesicles. My sincere advice is to get it evaluated from a dermatologist as antibiotics(oral and intravenous) may be needed.

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your dermatologist. Treatment can be started only when the diagnosis is confirmed. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.