Irritating Stretch Marks (Male)

[BrandonI]

Im a teenage male (16) and about 6 months ago i had a large, red itchy area around my groin where the skin was peeling slightly. I could barely walk it was so bad, so i picked up some cream (Clotrimazole i think, but im not sure). Seemed to go away in 1-2 weeks.

Now, i have a lot of stretch marks around my groin area that i think i have had for some time, i also have them on my upper arms. But the ones on my groin seem to be the only ones itching. There are no stretch marks here, but the irritation also happens if i have anything touching any part of my skin up to the bellybutton.

They are quite deep, can change from dark purple to red (usually dark purple when i just get out of the shower) and about 4-5cm long. My scrotum has also gone red and is quite itchy too. Is there anything i can do?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
From your symptoms the possibility of jock itch needs to be ruled out. Wash your groin daily and then dry thoroughly by pat drying, not rubbing. A hairdryer is useful if you have hairy groins. The damp groin is an ideal site for fungi to multiply. Also wear cotton underwear and change them twice a day and do not share other people’s towels. Application of local antifungal cream(terbinafine, clotrimazole, econazole, ketoconazole, miconazole) and oral antifungal drugs are the mainstay of treatment.

I hope it helps. Take care and regards.

[meniere135]

Stretch marks can be associated with high cortisol levels (cushings syndrome) or low zinc.  I don't know about the itching, though.