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

[grassland]

Good day buddies,  I'm sylvester grassland from Nigeria west Africa, I'm 24.  I'm having this same similar issue and from all I noticed I just discovered the truth of this whole thing originating from our own head.  I will just try and lay most of them out to see if I will get out of the awful experience.........  Thanks peeps

[pigerker]

I know someone who had a very similar experience. HJ from SW and then severe anxiety and burning red scrotum. Yet no STD even when tested at 3 months. Based on what he was telling me I am convinced that the red scrotum issue was real, but that it was created to a large degree by anxiety. When the negative results came back the irrigation seemed to fade.

[Jrock79]

I have had this same issue for a few years off and on. I too had it happen the first time after sex with a questionable person. No stds just red itchy burning ball sack. The more stuff I threw at it the worse it got! I believe this experience shocked me from the stress and guilt so much that my body just continues to react this way. Kind of like your body is allergic to your sack! What I have found works for me is, as soon as it starts to flair up I take a Claritin and put Benadryl cream on my sack. After the cream is rubbed in good I put baby powder all over my twig and berries. It goes in about a couple of days. But it does always rear it's ugly head again though. It's a good idea between flair ups to moisturize the boys too, potentially keeping the red sack back! I hope this works for all of you. Can't promise though!

[smw222]

I had the same symptoms as mentioned in these post.
1. Noticed red spots on my right inner thigh.
2. A day or so later I had red testicles with a very defined border where the testicles sack ends. The skin began to feel thick and leathery.
3. Infectioned then moved to the penis. Spots on the foreskin and tip of penis also in and above the hair line of my genital area.
4. Last noticed spot on my left inner thigh. Very distinct oval, looked like ring worm.

Like many on this and other forums, i was freaking out for fear of being infected with an STD. If you have these symptoms, you are fine, stop worrying. You have Tinea Cruris, a form of jock itch. I struggled with this for over a week and finally went to the doctor. He prescribed Terbinafine HCL 250MG daily tablets and Nystop 100,000 units/gram powder. The tablets were the cure, the powder to keep area dry and comfortable.

Within 48 hrs. the area began to look and feel normal. 4 days later I am almost completely back to normal. Skin returned to normal color and texture, with spots almost completely gone. Skin still a little tender but mild considering where I was a few days ago.

If you are afraid or can't afford a doctor I would suggest Clotrimazole USP1%
Anti fungal cream. Same thing you would use for jock itch or athletes foot. You can get this over the counter at any drug store for about $5. My doctor said this is also effective, but not as fast and much more uncomfortable. You're going to feel a burning sensation the first couple of times you apply.

Back story is that I recently began shaving my genital area. I work out at home each night after work. I fell into the habit of working out and then resting, eating, and watching a little tv before finally showering right before bed. I also recently purchased a new down comforter and was sweating more than usual at night. The skin touching skin of shaving my genitals and sweat was apparently a perfect breeding ground for bacteria.

I wanted to come back on here and give some comfort to others with these symptoms. This was an emotional and uncomfortable experience due to fear of contracting something much worse. If you can muster up the courage to go to the doctor you will feel 100% better in 48 hrs. Stop worrying, you DO NOT have an STD!

[diverdown59]

Same symptoms. Great ball of fire. Severe burning. Treated with every cream you can think of. Tried doxycycline. No help. Found a good dermatologist. He has seen it before. Gave me a very strong steroid cream for several months, some improvement. Also putting a cool towel on the area twice a day. Then reduced the strength of the cream. Problem became tolerable but did not clear up. Ok days and bad days.

All during this time, I have been under a lot of stress and just feeling off, kind of in a fog, frustrated with a lot of things. I am in my mid fifties. For the first time in my life I went to see a mental health therapist. Kind of sorted out what has been bothering me. I  won't go into details, but I will say that the red scrotum issue has significantly resolved. Still a bit red but almost no burning.

Stress related. I sure think this is a factor.

[Topgun527]

Did you ever recover??

[Jasons4330]

Just an update.  It has been a year since I had this problem.   I have been clear for a year.  I believe I have found out what brings this on.   When this occurred I had been under extreme stress and anxiety over a dumb decision I had made.   I had shaved my scrotum and ended up getting a heat/rash/friction rash in my groin area.   I believe initially it was a mixture of the prolonged stress and guilt manifesting itself physically and the rash.  I ended up putting topical steroids on which turned it from a pink hue to bright red and made it itchy.  

I have been under a similar period of stress since about April of this year. I had began competing for a promotion at my job and my presentation was coming up this week.  It was the similar feeling I had a year ago.  constant stress.  Well I shaved on Saturday and ended up getting another heat rash where my scrotum touches my leg.   My left side of the scotum had the same pinkish hue as last year.  This time I began treating it with gold bond, and cold showers.... NOTHING ELSE  I also made sure I relaxed and did not freak out this time.    This morning the heat rash is still there but the pink is starting to fade.   When I get stressed out it begins to get darker.    

I think its important for anyone who ever looks down and sees a pink or red scrotum to not freak out... DO NOT USE TOPICAL STEROIDS on it and let it resolve itself.    I think once you start using the steroids it leads to damage that takes a verylong time to heal.