What could cause itchiness in the private parts and spread to the nearby skin?

Question

Hello doctor,

I have an itchy feeling around my private parts. At first, I ignored it as something like an insect bite, but later it spread to nearby areas. I think it is a fungal infection that I had earlier near that place. I used Candid B ointment. The infection is like bristles, expands to the nearby region, and is present between my thighs and my private part. I am attaching a photograph with this. Please prescribe me general medicine because it might be difficult for me to get some medicines in my place.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I thoroughly read your query and understand your concern.

I have seen the pictures that you have attached (attachments are hidden to protect the patient's identity). This is a tinea cruris fungal infection of the groin, also called ringworm. Please do not use Candid B cream as it has the steroid Beclomethasone along with the antifungal Clotrimazole, and the steroid will flare up the infection. I suggest you take a course in these antifungal medicines:

1. Seriva (Sertaconazole) 2 % cream, apply to the affected area twice daily for four weeks.

2. KZ soap (Ketoconazole), use this soap to wash the affected area only while taking bath for four weeks and use your regular soap for the rest of the body.

3. Take a tablet of Teczine (Levocetirizine) 5 mg, one pill at night after dinner, for itching as needed.

4. Tablet Terbinafine 250 mg take one pill at night after dinner for two weeks. Terbinafine is given according to body weight. Please let me know your body weight so that I can calculate the dose that is appropriate for you.

5. Absorb (Clotrimazole) dusting powder- apply to the groin area to keep the area dry once a day.

I have listed the name of medicines as well, you will find these medicines in all medical shops. There are certain things to be followed when you have a fungal infection, let me list them here. The following are the suggestions:

Wear dry loose cotton clothes, and try to find inner garments which are 100 % pure cotton. Use fans or air conditioners at night to keep the affected part well-ventilated.
Take bath twice a day, and always use lukewarm water. Avoid using very hot water to take bath. Hot water favors fungal growth in the body. Wash the affected parts with cold water once you have done bathing. Always use a fresh dry towel to wipe off water from the body. Make sure skin folds are totally dry before wearing clothes.
Use antifungal dusting powders for skin folds such as underarms, thigh folds, below breasts, and between the toes.
Wash your clothes, and towel, bedspread using hot water and dry them in good sunlight.
Eat healthy food, and keep your body weight ideal for your height because being overweight and having poor nourishment lead to reduced immunity which increases the chances of getting a fungal infection.
If you are diabetic, check your blood sugar level frequently, and make sure your blood sugars are within the normal range because uncontrolled blood sugar is a risk factor for fungal infection.
Ask if any of your family members have a similar fungal infection, if so, encourage them to take treatment.
Check your pet animals for rashes if there are any, take them to a veterinary doctor for treatment. Dogs and cats are also sources of infection.
Always complete the full course of medications prescribed by your dermatologist. An incomplete treatment results in the recurrence of fungal infection which is more resistant to treatment.

I suggest you never do the following:

Do not scratch. Scratching makes the rash worse. Ask your dermatologist for anti-itching medicine.
Do not wear synthetic clothes or tight-fitting jeans, which do not allow air to flow through them, and do not wear wet inner clothes. Do not wear inner wears while at home. Allow air to flow freely through the affected part.
Do not share your personal items such as clothes, towels, soap, or comb with your family members or friends.
Do not use over-the-counter (OTC) medications for ringworm. Most of these OTC creams contain steroids in them, which give faster relief from itching but make the ringworm spread to a larger area and also make the routine treatment insufficient.
Do not use home remedies such as garlic paste to get rid of ringworm. This would burn your skin and may leave a permanent scar.

Proper and timely medications from a dermatologist and these skin care measures would help faster relief from symptoms, speedy recovery, and less chance of recurrence.

I hope this has addressed your concern.

Kind regards.