Red Scrotum Syndrome and anxiety question

[Jasons4330]

About three weeks ago I noticed my scrotum was bring red. The only skin involved was the scrotum, the strip down the middle was its normal color.  It was not a rash just bright red pigmented skin, it did not itch, it had a slight burn every so often so I can live with it.   I also had a classic case of jock itch, I work out alot, sit around in sweaty compression shorts and the folds on both sides of my groin became red, itchy and scaly.   I went to my doctor who prescribed me 100 mg of Diflucan for 7 days and gave me a prescription anti fungal cream which seems to be working on the groin skin fold problem.   I applied this cream for three days to my scrotum and realized that the problem on my scrotum may not be fungal at all.    Alittle back ground on myself in May of this year I did something completely out of character and had a drunken fling with someone I did not know.  The condom broke and for almost 6 months now I have dealt with an huge amount of anxiety, guilt and paranoia over std's. I am also a severe hypochondriac and suffer from OCD.    I have been taken a 7 week IGG test negative for herpes and also a 17 week IGG test which was negative.  

This red scrotum came on at about 5 and a half months since this encounter and in researching it It seems there may be some connection to red scrotum syndrome psychological distress.  Can anyone confirm this ?

Also I have red the best treatment for this is no treatment at all is this also correct?

Has anyone had any luck working with a psychologist in relieving these symptoms ?

Thanks in advance

[itsdrivingmenuts]

So, I am in the same boat.  Same questionable decision.  Tested negative for HSV2 at 9 weeks.  Daily burning/pinching pain in various spots in scrotum.  Is this similar to what you are having? After showering, its gone.  When I wake in the am, nothing until I get up and move around.  Strange.  I can't fathom that its all mental since the feeling is so real.  Guess I'll try to stop focusing on it and retest for HSV2  at 6 months.  

[Jasons4330]

Agree with Drum.... Exersise and killing your guilt helps !!  I never imagined my mind could create this... But think of how flushed your ears get when embarrassed !!!  I think the same applies for the scrotum esp when the issue is shame and guilt over the use of your scrotum !   I have been gone for years and want to help all of you out and give back so feel free to pm me any questions .... It is cureable and it will get better!!!

[Jasons4330]

It is now 5 years later.  I completely forgot about my issue.  I honestly believe that this is caused by several things.  1 severe anxiety and stress,  2) minor trauma or infection of groin, 3) use of topical steroids.    

I stopped shaving with a razer and have not had any more issues.  I started getting cold showers and the redness started to slowly fade over months..... I also stopped all topical stetoids.... I dealt with my anxiety and slowly my scrotum healed.    It has never returned back to red.    I will also never put myself in a situation that creates that much conflict in my mind!  

[drumsaol]

I have been back to normal for a while.

I had a 'happy ending' massage in which she used her mouth. I woke that night to a burning red scrotum. No STD would appear that quickly, but I didn't know that at the time.

It is very emotionally difficult. Lots of guilt and shame. And unlike other rashes, you can't tell anyone about it. I became depressed and even suicidal (i had never experienced anything close to this, generally happy). I would turn to this thread and Dr. Rockoff's posts (search medhelp: 'rockoff red scrotum).

Eventually I had an emotional breakdown in front of a friend. Then I saw a good doctor, who didn't know anything about red scrotum but I found telling people and getting rid of the shame helped.

It got progressively better over months. However it is maddening because it seems to come and go with no control. But, each time a little easier to cope with mentally.

I found a skype phsycodermatologist who deals with warts, hives and red scrotum. Seemed to help a lot.

My take aways:

- Don't put anything crazy on it. I used vitamin E oil after showers.
- Read this thread and Rockoff
- Don't kill yourself
- Exercise
- Some doctors don't consider it real.

[DirkSturgeon]

I have been experiencing the exact same thing as the original post. From the encounter, shattering pangs of anxiety and guilt, depression etc. The scrotum is red but the stripe down the middle is a normal colour.  It seems at its worst after every shower (bright red but not itchy or burning).   I have been dealing with it for several months now, have tried a variety of creams including hydocrotisone which made it infinitely worse. (changed an average yeast infection type rash into a tight, burning, bright red one.) Now from my experience since abandoning  any prescribed medication, how it feels is more important than how it looks. The scrotum is naturally pigmented. The more I jostle with my balls and check them compulsively, the worse I feel and the redder they become. Its a psychological battle you must face in your mind. This condition has been turning me steadily into a hypochondriac and now I feel like the first step to take is dealing with those urges (the urge to constantly go to the doctor who thus far as offered very little help other than screening for chlamydia and gonnereha,  and the urge to constantly check my parts).

If anyone else has experienced any improvement in the rash with stress and anxiety relief your input is greatly appreciated.

[Topgun527]

Any improvement?

[TED_ROGERS]

I HAVE THE CURE!!!!!!

For 5 years I went through a very similar experience as most have described here and on other boards.  I spent a fortune on Harley Street doctors, doctors in the US, Singapore and Australia.  Nothing.  Had a million and one swabs, skin scraping and different diagnoses -  none of them correct.  I've been prescribed every topical and oral anti fungal, steroid and antibiotic going.  A couple of the many combinations had some improvement but never got rid of it, particularly in summer time or if I was in a tropical country.  Wont bore you with all the details but it was basically ruining my life.

Then I decided to visit my local NHS dermatologist. Within 5 seconds he told me immediately what was wrong.  Your body is allergic to a fungus that naturally grows on the body in that area. He told me to wash a the area and as much of the surrounding body as I can with Nizoral shampoo every other day, then once every 4 days.  

I didn't believe for a second he was right or it was going to work.  I had got advice from the best professionals in the world and had been medicated with everything you could possibly think of.  But I went through the motions and tried it.  At first I thought load of rubbish, then, as if by magic, for the first time in years, it completely cleared up.  As in nothing, at all.

One year on and as long as I use Nizoral down there once every 4-5 days, its completely clear.

NIZORAL EVERYONE - GIVE IT A GO!!!