Itching of the scrotum appears with scabies, pediculosis, prickly heat, dermatitis of various etiologies and other skin diseases. Sometimes it develops against the background of systemic pathologies, neurotic disorders and strong feelings. In most cases, it is accompanied by various skin manifestations: redness, peeling, rashes. The cause of the symptom is established on the basis of complaints, examination data and additional diagnostic procedures. Treatment includes local baths, ointments, talkers, emulsions. Sometimes systemic drugs are used.
In the absence of provoking diseases, the cause of the symptom is:
Potentiating factors are wearing tight synthetic underwear, exposure to high temperatures, hard physical labor, inability or unwillingness to carry out hygiene procedures. Pathology is caused by blockage of the sweat glands. In the groin area, as a rule, prickly heat develops, which is accompanied by severe itching, the appearance of vesicles with cloudy liquid and small red nodules. Similar manifestations can be observed in the armpits.
Simple contact dermatitis is characterized by the absence of an allergic component, develops as a result of the direct action of an irritant, and can be acute or chronic. In the erythematous variant, slight itching, redness, swelling, and sometimes dryness and cracks of the skin are noted. Patients with the bullous form complain of pain, burning, heat, and itching. Objectively, blisters with a clear liquid are found on the hyperemic skin.
Allergic contact dermatitis is provoked by the components of detergents, dyes for fabrics, lubricants for sex, latex. For the acute form, intense itching is typical. Skin changes are located in the area of contact with the allergen, have clear boundaries. Edema and hyperemia are replaced by the appearance of papules, which turn into vesicles and open with the formation of erosions. In a chronic course, itching becomes permanent, the boundaries of the lesions are blurred. Dryness and flaking of the skin are determined.
Atopic dermatitis develops in childhood and is chronic. In adults, it is more often detected on the face, in the folds of the skin and in the groin area. Sometimes there is spread to the scrotum. In the affected area, pale pink foci are detected. The skin is dry, rough, flaky. Perhaps the appearance of papules and cracks, secondary infection. Exacerbations are caused by contact with mold, animal hair, house dust and other allergens.
Perhaps explicit images of the genitals are hidden here Are you 18 years old? yes no Allergic dermatitis of the scrotum
Most often, post-traumatic microbial eczema is detected in the scrotum area. The lesions are localized around scratches and abrasions from shaving, scratching, which have arisen against the background of other pathological conditions. In rare cases, itchy and weeping red foci of sycosiform microbial eczema are visualized in the groin and scrotum.
With true eczema, scrotum involvement is also rare. Pathology is characterized by the formation of papules and vesicles, transforming into microerosions with profuse serous discharge. The severity of itching varies significantly - some patients complain of minor or moderate discomfort, while in others the symptom is so painful that it causes insomnia and the development of neurotic disorders.
Inguinal epidermophytosis has a fungal etiology. The lesion of the inguinal folds is typical, sometimes spreading to the intergluteal fold, thighs and the base of the scrotum. Pathology is manifested by severe itching, discomfort when walking. On examination, rounded scaly pink spots with a tendency to increase, vesicles and pustules along the periphery are determined.
Erythrasma is caused by Corynobacteria. Large skin folds suffer, including inguinal ones. As in the previous case, when spreading, the changes may cover the base of the scrotum. Itching is mild, often asymptomatic. Brownish or brownish spots with rounded or scalloped edges are found on the skin, gradually merging with each other.
A typical localization is the umbilical zone; in men, the process may spread to the scrotum and penis. Patients are concerned about unbearable itching, which intensifies in the evening and at night. During the examination on the skin of the scrotum, itch moves are revealed in the form of short straight or curved lines with a small bubble and a bloody crust at the end. With allergization, nodular scabies is formed with a rash in the form of brownish nodules over the scabies.
Persistent itching of the scrotum and perineum occurs due to bites of pubic lice. The symptom intensifies at night, accompanied by scratching, the appearance of bluish-bluish spots at the bite sites. Subfebrile condition and regional lymphadenitis are possible. Itching can also be provoked by body lice, but in this case, discomfort disturbs not only in the groin, but also in other parts of the body, bite sites are erythematous papules.
Sometimes itching of the scrotum develops against the background of systemic metabolic disorders. Unpleasant sensations are not limited to the groin, but spread throughout the body, other signs are revealed that indicate the presence of a particular pathology. Possible reasons are:
In some men, the symptom appears against the background of strong feelings or accompanies mental disorders of a neurotic level. It can be found in obsessive-compulsive disorder, hysteria, and some other pathological conditions.
Dermatologist's consultation
Most of the pathologies that manifest itching of the scrotum are under the jurisdiction of a dermatologist. According to the indications, patients are referred for a consultation with an allergist, endocrinologist, gastroenterologist and other specialists. The examination includes the following diagnostic procedures:
The presence of pubic lice indicates promiscuity in choosing sexual partners and is an indication for testing for STIs. The examination plan for systemic diseases is drawn up taking into account the characteristics of the pathology, may include laboratory tests, ultrasound, MRI. If a mental disorder is suspected, consultation with a psychologist or psychiatrist is required.
Patients with dermatitis, prickly heat, eczema are recommended to eliminate the provoking factor. For all diseases, it is advised to follow the rules of hygiene, use soft cosmetics, wear loose natural underwear.
Local treatment is widely used. With prickly heat, inguinal epidermophytosis, baths with string, celandine, chamomile, potassium permanganate are useful. For pathologies accompanied by weeping, talkers and powders are used, they are treated with antiseptics, infusion of oak bark. According to indications, antifungal, antibacterial, hormonal and keratolytic ointments are applied.
Antihistamines are recommended to reduce itching. In the presence of irritability, sleep disturbances caused by unpleasant sensations in the affected area, mild sedatives with herbal components are added to the treatment regimen. With large foci of erythrasma, systemic medications with antibacterial action are prescribed. In some conditions, UV therapy is effective.
To treat the skin with scabies, special emulsions and aerosols are used; to prevent re-infection, the body, underwear and bed linen are treated according to a special scheme. In pediculosis, pyrethroids, organophosphorus compounds, polydimethylsiloxanes and essential oils are used. Carry out appropriate epidemiological measures.