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Itching And Swelling In Scrotal Area. Should I Be Worried?

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Posted on Wed, 30 Oct 2013
Question: Hi,
I was scratching my scrotal area, as it was feeling significantly itchy. Suddenly, the area became swollen in one part and it appears to be a hair follicle area. Is it something to be concerned about as the swelling happened within minutes. There is some pain but not much, although the area is a little painful. It appears to be confined to the scrotum.
What could cause this to happen?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sanjay Kumar Kanodia (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Do cold water compression

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Welcome and thanks for choosing healthcare magic.

There is nothing to be worried about the swelling which appeared suddenly. It is quite a natural phenomenon which can occur on any part of body.

To explain you simply, it is a normal and usual response of the skin to respond to any noxious stimuli in such a manner. Whenever anything goes beyond a bearable level of skin it, responds in manner of either redness or swelling.

In your case as you rubbed your scrotal skin, so this skin being quite vascular, sensitive and thin, so it responded by immediate accumulation of tissue fluid around this area. This remains for some hour and then is reabsorbed back into the normal circulation. SO your swelling also be reducing in hours. The pain sensation is again a normal response to any injury. This shows that you rubbed it quite vigorously.

There is no need to be worried for the same. Eery thing will be alright. You can do simple cold water compression. You can take a towel dipped in cold water and apply it 5 minute each for 3-4 times. Wear lose cotton clothes. Do not try to touch the area again and again.

For the pain part you can take any pain killer which is available over the counter. This will help in reducing the swelling too.

I hope you are relaxed now. If you have any more doubts then I will be happy to help.
With good health wishes,
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Sanjay Kumar Kanodia (15 hours later)
Dear Dr. XXXXXXX

Thankyou for the explanation. I feel that the problem was brought on more by scratching and I did not really rub the scrotal skin in any way. Could the hair follicle have become inflamed and could that explain a very sudden swelling in a matter of minutes.

I have included pictures of the condition, if you don't mind.


Thankyou,
Regards.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sanjay Kumar Kanodia (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Please see the suggestions below

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome again to the forum.

I have gone through the good resolution pictures sent by you. I can see that the hair roots are terrible red at the scrotal region near hair roots. It definitely resulted by your scratching. Rubbing and scratching are the same part of noxious stimuli to skin where rubbing is milder one and scratching is the highest of all.

In your case it is simple injury to the skin by scratching and is very usual of all the same type injuries to the skin. The skin can become inflamed within matter of few minutes only because it is thin as well as sensitive one.

Please do not touch the area. Give cold compressions. Apply simple Hydrocortisone cream over the affected area. It will be healing as a normal injury to skin so can take few days. A scab may form which will make skin dark brown to blackish in next 48 hours, so do not get panicky about it. If it happens then will be falling off in around 5 days.

Wear lose cotton clothes and "DO NOT TOUCH" the area.

You will be alright in next couple of days.

With good health wishes,
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Sanjay Kumar Kanodia (1 hour later)
Thanks Dr. XXXXXXX

Do you also detect what looks like pus in the particular area most inflamed? Would the pus also be expected to settle or does it need to be extracted?



Thanks and regards.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sanjay Kumar Kanodia (35 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
DO not worry these are prominent hair root

Detailed Answer:
Hello young fellow,

The pus kind of thing are actually the hair root which appears more prominent due to inflammation. There is nor XXXXXXX pus in any of these areas.
So do not try to extract it by nay means. This will be settled by itself. Many a times a see young men are quite tensed regarding this whitish bead like appearance at hair root which is confused as pus points. So do not worry as this thing will get settled by itself.

I hope I cleared all your doubts, If you have any further queries I will be happy to help or if you do not then can close the query and rate the answer.

With good health wishes,
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Sanjay Kumar Kanodia (22 hours later)
Dear Dr. XXXXXXX

Thanks for the clarification about the source of the inflammation. I will monitor the situation in the next few days.


Thanks and regards.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Sanjay Kumar Kanodia (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
You will be totally alright soon

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

It is my pleasure to clear the queries regarding your skin issues. Do take care of yourself and may God bless you.
With good health wishes,
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Sanjay Kumar Kanodia

Dermatologist

Practicing since :2002

Answered : 4165 Questions

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Itching And Swelling In Scrotal Area. Should I Be Worried?

Brief Answer:
Do cold water compression

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Welcome and thanks for choosing healthcare magic.

There is nothing to be worried about the swelling which appeared suddenly. It is quite a natural phenomenon which can occur on any part of body.

To explain you simply, it is a normal and usual response of the skin to respond to any noxious stimuli in such a manner. Whenever anything goes beyond a bearable level of skin it, responds in manner of either redness or swelling.

In your case as you rubbed your scrotal skin, so this skin being quite vascular, sensitive and thin, so it responded by immediate accumulation of tissue fluid around this area. This remains for some hour and then is reabsorbed back into the normal circulation. SO your swelling also be reducing in hours. The pain sensation is again a normal response to any injury. This shows that you rubbed it quite vigorously.

There is no need to be worried for the same. Eery thing will be alright. You can do simple cold water compression. You can take a towel dipped in cold water and apply it 5 minute each for 3-4 times. Wear lose cotton clothes. Do not try to touch the area again and again.

For the pain part you can take any pain killer which is available over the counter. This will help in reducing the swelling too.

I hope you are relaxed now. If you have any more doubts then I will be happy to help.
With good health wishes,