How should I treat my genital abscess at age 19?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am a 19-year-old male. I have an abscess on my balls, it is a little painful and reddish. I have a jock itch right now. I am worried because I saw some terrible pictures on the internet. I think I got bitten by something as I mentioned there is an infection near my legs too. I am attaching the photos of the abscess and the jock itch.

I got this from a doctor, for the fungal infection, he suggests Fluconazole 150 mg to be taken twice in one week, for three weeks. Onabet (Sertaconazole) cream should be applied twice daily to the abscess and do not apply any other cream. For the abscess, the doctor also prescribed a course of antibiotics Amoxicillin and Clavulanic acid (Augmentin) 625 mg thrice daily for five days.

Please help.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I looked through the photographs (attachment removed to protect patient identity).

There is a small pustule in the scrotum, and you seem to have a fungal infection in the groin. For the fungal infection, I Suggest the following:

1. Take a tablet of Fluconazole 150 mg once followed by the same tablet one week later.

2. Wash the area with normal-temperature clean water twice daily.

3. Apply Onabet (Sertaconazole nitrate) or Zimig (Terbinafine hydrochloride) cream.

4. You may use a mild soap once daily or once every two days.

5. For the pustule, apply Mupirocin or Betadine ointment on the pustule after washing it clean, and take tablet Augmentin (Amoxycillin and Clavulanic acid) 625 mg tablet twice daily for five days. Consult your doctor and take the medicines accordingly. The infection will subside.

I would suggest you take the above medications as described, and then review them with me after one week. You should be better by then. Also, another suggestion is that you may attend hygiene in that area, especially in the sultry hot climate that provides perfect conditions for bacteria and fungi to grow in the groin area.

You could trim the hairs carefully using scissors every week and keep them to a manageable length. Or after trimming you may remove those closely using a body groomer. This will have some benefits like better aeration, easier application of creams and ointments, lesser holding onto sweat, and consequently lesser chances of fungal and bacterial infection.

I hope this helps.

Thank you.