ongoing irritation in groin/genital area

[worried513]

I am going on almost 5 months now with a rash and irritation that won't go away in my genital area.  My scrotum is very red and my penis is red and sometimes brownish purple.  My thighs burn on the inside and get very red under my buttocks.  I also have uncomfortable pain in my upper groin and to the inside of my hip.  I haven't had any blisters but have had two pimples that never came to a head above the base of my penis.  I had protected sex with a sex worker and became very sick afterwards.  I was initially diagnosed with jock itch but that is all gone now and has been for a couple of months.  I don't feel well on a daily basis but have had no fevers to speak of.    I also have red stretch marks in my groin where I have pain.  At the 6 week mark I was tested for std's but only hsv1 came back positive.  At week 12 tested for herpes again and test results came back inconclusive.  I have used a prescription antibiotic cream, valtrex, hydrocortizone cream but nothing seems to help.  can you help me I am getting rather frustrated with this.  Thank you in advance for your reply.

[Simpleman74]

I am going to help you more with this one link than you have ever got for this!
And you would think after all these years one of these know it alls in here would think of it. I been here 2 days and I did.
This link has 1000's of pictures of people with this allergy. And so go and find someone that it looks like yours there. Because it looks a bit different of many people, and different body parts. Find your body part here and one that reacts exactly like you. A picture is worth a 1000 words!

http://www.dermnet.com/Allergic-Contact-Dermatitis/photos/1

Put up a new post for people to see, this well kept secret on this site so these people can finally find help. People are here for their doctors don't know and they aren't getting better. And the one thing no doctors say is allergy to polyester. That is taboo!
They would loose too much business, if the world finds out how many people well, pretty much all of us but few react.

Ps. I read 50 of this doctors replies to 50 people last nite. And they were all wrong. He must be evil or just plain stupid.

[Simpleman74]

Start wearing all cotton underwear. Sounds like contact dermatitis. The contact is polyester. It is in the threads also in cotton clothes. So wear them inside out to keep the thread from your skin. And end your showers with very cool water in the area to calm the inflammation. Let me know how this helps

[worried513]

I was tested for hiv after 6 weeks which came back negative.  Should I get a retest then on hiv?  does the inconclusive test at 12 weeks for hsv2 mean i have it and it just hasn't shown up on the test yet?  or does it mean that something else was causing the mixed results?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Since the first test reported HSV 1 as positive, so on the second test, the report came as inconclusive because the virus(HSV 1) must have been dormant at that time and no antibodies could have been found. From the symptoms, since you have mentioned keeping sick after the contact with commercial sex worker, so the possibility of HIV also needs to be evaluated.

Many people do not develop symptoms after they first get infected with HIV. Others have a flu-like illness within several days to weeks after exposure to the virus. Confirmation is only done by specific tests for HIV like western blot, PCR and ELISA. These tests may show accuracy after 6 weeks to 6 months as HIV antibodies take time to develop in the body.
I hope it helps. Take care and regards.

[worried513]

I have pain in areas with no rash as well.  It is very strange but I still have no blisters to indicate herpes.  Do you think from my symptoms that it could be an std?  what does the inconclusice test result at 12 weeks mean?  does it mean i have herpes but couldn't wholly prove it?  thanks for your reply!

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Without examination, I cannot precisely diagnose but the symptoms are suggestive of intertrigo. An intertrigo usually appears red and raw-looking, and may also itch, ooze, and be sore.

Please keep the area clean and apply some topical antiseptics. Also wear loose-fitting cotton clothing and use an antibacterial soap or mild soap like dove. Avoid any kind of cosmetics. Topical zinc oxide cream like Sudocrem, Desitin are very helpful(apply with a paper towel and not directly with hands).Application of mild steroid cream like dermacort also helps. For the itching please take some over the counter antihistaminic like Benadryl or Claritin. In case the symptoms persist then antifungals may be needed. Please consult a dermatologist in that case.
Hope it helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing or if you have any additional queries. Kind regards.