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What Causes Itching In The Groin Area?

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Posted on Sat, 26 Apr 2014
Question: There are 2 problems:- 1. I feel a lot of itching in my groin area...basically the area near legs and testicles and also sometimes inside the penis region. The itching in penis usually grows after sex. 2. Another kind of redness is seen on the top skin of the penis and when I remove it down. Dont know what s happening . is it serious?
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Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (44 minutes later)
Brief Answer: Need some more information+picture Detailed Answer: Hi. Your first problem is a general one and seems to be related to fungal infection of the groins. Body folds, specially when they are deep and closely apposed to each other, as in people who are overweight, presents an ideal environment for the fungus to grow (warm, moist and humid) specially in summers and in coastal and tropical areas where body sweats a lot. If the folds are deep and closely apposed, the moisture gets trapped in between the folds, thus favoring fungus growth. Clinically it presents with itching skin which is sore, red and scaly. If this is allowed to continue then constant itching and scratching makes the skin become darker and thick in that area and thus an element of eczema sets in along with fungal infection, where the more you itch the more is the desire to itch ( vicious itch scratch cycle sets in). Treatment is commonly based on: -Antifungal creams: Either Clotrimazole/Ketoconazole/Sertaconazole/ OR Luliconazole for 4-6 weeks -Antifungal tablets: Either Fluconazole/Itraconazole for 4-6 weeks -An oral antihistamines like either Cetrizine/Fexofenadine or Loratadine can be taken once or twice daily symptomatically, for the itch associated with fungal infection -Apart from the treatment with antifungals, it is the prevention of recurrence of fungal infection that seems to be the main concern in most. An antifungal dusting powder like Clotrimazole dusting powder is an important part of treatment and for prevention of relapse/recurrence of infection, specially in hot, humid weather conditions, because frequent dusting with an anti-fungal dusting powder not only keeps the area dry but also inhibits the fungus from regrowing (being an antifungal). Some general measures like: Wearing loose fitting clothes, cotton undergarments, bathing twice daily(in summers), managing one's weight (if overweight) and sticking to the treatment for the entire duration (4-6 weeks) goes a long way in getting the desired results. Regarding your second concern, I would be greatly helped if you could please upload a clear picture of the affected area, in order for me to be able to help you better. -I would also like to know since how long has the redness been there? -Let me know a little about your sexual history? Do you have a single or multiple sexual partners? Does your partner suffer from vaginal discharge and vulval pruritus? regards
Note: Consult a Urologist online for consultation about prostate and bladder problems, sexual dysfunction, kidney stones, prostate enlargement, urinary incontinence, impotence and erectile dysfunction - Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
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Answered by
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Dr. Dr. Kakkar

Dermatologist

Practicing since :2002

Answered : 9612 Questions

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What Causes Itching In The Groin Area?

Brief Answer: Need some more information+picture Detailed Answer: Hi. Your first problem is a general one and seems to be related to fungal infection of the groins. Body folds, specially when they are deep and closely apposed to each other, as in people who are overweight, presents an ideal environment for the fungus to grow (warm, moist and humid) specially in summers and in coastal and tropical areas where body sweats a lot. If the folds are deep and closely apposed, the moisture gets trapped in between the folds, thus favoring fungus growth. Clinically it presents with itching skin which is sore, red and scaly. If this is allowed to continue then constant itching and scratching makes the skin become darker and thick in that area and thus an element of eczema sets in along with fungal infection, where the more you itch the more is the desire to itch ( vicious itch scratch cycle sets in). Treatment is commonly based on: -Antifungal creams: Either Clotrimazole/Ketoconazole/Sertaconazole/ OR Luliconazole for 4-6 weeks -Antifungal tablets: Either Fluconazole/Itraconazole for 4-6 weeks -An oral antihistamines like either Cetrizine/Fexofenadine or Loratadine can be taken once or twice daily symptomatically, for the itch associated with fungal infection -Apart from the treatment with antifungals, it is the prevention of recurrence of fungal infection that seems to be the main concern in most. An antifungal dusting powder like Clotrimazole dusting powder is an important part of treatment and for prevention of relapse/recurrence of infection, specially in hot, humid weather conditions, because frequent dusting with an anti-fungal dusting powder not only keeps the area dry but also inhibits the fungus from regrowing (being an antifungal). Some general measures like: Wearing loose fitting clothes, cotton undergarments, bathing twice daily(in summers), managing one's weight (if overweight) and sticking to the treatment for the entire duration (4-6 weeks) goes a long way in getting the desired results. Regarding your second concern, I would be greatly helped if you could please upload a clear picture of the affected area, in order for me to be able to help you better. -I would also like to know since how long has the redness been there? -Let me know a little about your sexual history? Do you have a single or multiple sexual partners? Does your partner suffer from vaginal discharge and vulval pruritus? regards