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What Causes Itching Sensation On Scrotum Along With Bad Odor?

Posted on Mon, 16 Mar 2015

Question: My balls will start to itch and when scratched emit a momentary odor and slight weeping at the itchy area. The smell and weeping quickly go away with scratching. The scratching produces a WONDERFUL relief sensation. I've tried OTC creams and powders but it seems they just feed the itch. I thoroughly wash the scrotum area each day or else I couldn't function because the itch would occur more frequently. It appears as the day goes along and the scrotum is trapped in a warm, airless environment, the itching fungus or whatever is aggravated such that by early evening I'm going to have a scratching event. If I've been seated enough during the day that will trigger an earlier in the day itching sensation.
Sometimes after applying the "hot as I can stand it" washing and rinsing of he scrotum area my balls will start itching until the scrotum area is dried or scratched. Whatever is causing this problem is one tough agent. It seems impossible to destroy.
HELP!!!

Answered by Dr. Hardik Pitroda (57 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Oral and topical antibiotics and antifungals

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for posting on HCM.
It seems you have got intertrigo.
Intertrigo is an infection which occurs over any opposing skin surfaces , mostly seen over groin folds. Its caused due to bacterial or sometimes fungal infection.
Overweight can increase the friction and thus predispose to intertrigo.
I would suggest you oral antibiotics (Oral azithromycin 500mg once daily for 5 days) and antifungal tablets(Tab fluconazole 150mg once daily for 10 days) for few days along with application of hydrocortisone and fusidic acid combination cream and an antifungal cream like sertaconazole twice a day for few weeks.

Take oral antihistaminics like hydroxyzine tablets to relieve the itching.

Use dusting powder containing clotrimazole on daily basis to keep area dry and reduce friction.

Try to reduce weight and maintain hygiene.
Avoid excessive rinsing and rubbing of the areas and avoid picking/itching/scratching the area.
Avoid tight undergarments and use cotton garments as far as possible.

Report back your status after 2 weeks of above treatment.
Hope this will help you

Take care

Dr Hardik Pitroda

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Pradeep Vitta

Follow up: Dr. Hardik Pitroda (2 hours later)

It appears that using antifungal cream like sertaconazole twice a day for few weeks would be the best use at the "point of discomfort." It also appears that it would be the curative with the least contraindications. Do you agree?

Answered by Dr. Hardik Pitroda (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Apply sertaconazole over affected sites

Detailed Answer:
Yes apply sertaconazole exactly over affected areas but make sure you apply it twice a day.
As such there are no contraindications to use of sertaconazole cream

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Hardik Pitroda (1 hour later)

Is sertaconazole an OTC medication. If so, is there a name brand available?

Answered by Dr. Hardik Pitroda (12 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Prescription medication

Detailed Answer:
I am afraid its not an OTC brand and you need a prescription from dermatologist for the medication.

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