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What Causes Itchiness On Top Of Intergluteal Cleft?

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Posted on Fri, 24 Jul 2015
Question: Hello, I am a 23 year old, 6 foot, 200 pound male. I noticed earlier today there was some itchiness near the top of my butt crack and I itched it and thought nothing of it. Later, I looked and there is a thin red line starting a few centimeters below my butt crack that go about 2 inches up (a little above my butt crack.) It is slightly irritable upon touching it, but isn't painful. Several years ago I had a pilonidal cyst but this doesn't seem to have the actual "cyst" yet. I put some cortisone cream just now. Urgent care is closed today because it is the 4th of July. What do you think it is and what should I do?
doctor
Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Intergluteal dermatitis

Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query.
Read and understood your problem.

In my opinion, this is a condition of dermatitis in the intergluteal region.
The exact cause of this condition is not known, but this is treatable and can be cured.
It usually starts as a itch. This is probable due to inability to clean up this area nicely with water, retention of the sweat, soap and so on.
Previous pilonidal cyst must have already weakened the skin.
The itching causes small injuries and mild infection. The area may weep, gives fluidly secretion and causes more itching , particularly at night.
Patients starts using whatever ointments are available or suggested by friends, family or local Doctors. Feels good, but the disease remains there to recur or have vexing and vanning.
Many patients have some or the other problems with digestion or motion.

I do advise all such patients as follows::
-Clean the area with plain water as frequently as possible.
-Apply liquid Povidone Iodine locally to the whole area and allow it to dry.
No other ointments or lotions/ soaps / chemicals are needed.
-A small course of an antibiotic and Metronidazole for about 5 days ( you need a prescription please- of a local Doctor) ONLY IF NEEDED.
-This is basically a disorder due to deficiency of vitamins and minerals that the integrity of the skin is lost. So you have to have therapeutic dosage of Vitamin A and D and to continue as multivitamins which are available as anti-oxidant medicines- We have seen the best results in almost all patients with this therapy-

I hope this answer helps you, please feel free to ask for further relevant queries or if you feel that there is gap of communication. for about a month or so.
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. T Chandrakant

General Surgeon

Practicing since :1984

Answered : 19777 Questions

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What Causes Itchiness On Top Of Intergluteal Cleft?

Brief Answer: Intergluteal dermatitis Detailed Answer: Hi. Thanks for your query. Read and understood your problem. In my opinion, this is a condition of dermatitis in the intergluteal region. The exact cause of this condition is not known, but this is treatable and can be cured. It usually starts as a itch. This is probable due to inability to clean up this area nicely with water, retention of the sweat, soap and so on. Previous pilonidal cyst must have already weakened the skin. The itching causes small injuries and mild infection. The area may weep, gives fluidly secretion and causes more itching , particularly at night. Patients starts using whatever ointments are available or suggested by friends, family or local Doctors. Feels good, but the disease remains there to recur or have vexing and vanning. Many patients have some or the other problems with digestion or motion. I do advise all such patients as follows:: -Clean the area with plain water as frequently as possible. -Apply liquid Povidone Iodine locally to the whole area and allow it to dry. No other ointments or lotions/ soaps / chemicals are needed. -A small course of an antibiotic and Metronidazole for about 5 days ( you need a prescription please- of a local Doctor) ONLY IF NEEDED. -This is basically a disorder due to deficiency of vitamins and minerals that the integrity of the skin is lost. So you have to have therapeutic dosage of Vitamin A and D and to continue as multivitamins which are available as anti-oxidant medicines- We have seen the best results in almost all patients with this therapy- I hope this answer helps you, please feel free to ask for further relevant queries or if you feel that there is gap of communication. for about a month or so.