Itchy, bumpy crotch

[Alaris]

Well, I am a 14 year old male, and lately my crotch has been itching terribly. I shaved off all of my pubic hairs, and found that is was bumpy, and red. It hurts to scratch it now, I assume because of all of the short, bristly hair stubs. I was just wondering if this is a fungal infection, or some kind of rash? I masturbate daily, so could it be some kind of infection from my rotting semen?

[Alaris]

Well, I am using some Safeway Antifungal cream, and already the itching has stopped, the redness is down, and the bumps are almost gone. Shaving my pubic hairs daily has helped with the itching, and I change my boxers daily. I really just didn't have more than 3 pairs, so I went out and bought some. Thanks for the help, everybody. I think that if I keep this up, it'll be cured and over with.

[Amel357]

You also might just have razor burn.  You should also not allow semen to dry up on your penis and groin.  Clean it off.  If you aren't in a place where you can wash, clean it up the best you can.  But, if you don't wash yourself regularly, you can get infections down there very easily, especially if you are uncircumcised.  If you are uncircumcised you must wash your penis multiple times a day.  You really, really must wash your groin every day, with soap.  Not just because you are having problems, but for basic personal hygiene.  Also, wearing the same boxers for a month is not hygienic.

[Alaris]

Thank you, kindd. I change my boxers once a month, at best. It looks like an acne outbreak down there. I'll get some antifungal cream. I hope it clears up soon.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,

The symptoms are suggestive of Jock itch. Jock itch shows up in post-adolescent men and hormonal changes during puberty,lifestyle and heredity each play a role.Predisposing fungal disease like tines cruris may also aggravate it.

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 underwears 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.

If the rash persists then it will be best to get it evaluated from a dermatologist.Contact dermatitis and eczema have to be ruled out then.

Hope it helps .Take care and pls do keep us posted in case you have any additional queries.Kind regards.