Irritation of the skin in the groin in men
Irritation of the skin in the groin is quite common in men. It can manifest itself in itching, inflammation, redness, peeling, swelling, and rash. The degree of its severity depends on what exactly caused the irritation.
Naturally, discomfort in such an intimate area contributes to a violation of the quality of life, worsens the health of a man, makes him be in constant stress. Therefore, knowing the main causes of skin irritation in the groin, you can prevent the appearance of the problem or get rid of it quickly.
Causes of skin irritation in the groin in men
The causes of skin irritation in the groin in men can be very diverse, ranging from banal non-observance of shaving techniques and ending with serious diseases.
Among the main factors that can provoke skin irritation are:
- Shaving irritation. After this procedure, the skin is always in a state of stress. This will be expressed in redness, peeling, the appearance of a small rash. As a rule, such irritation goes away on its own after a few hours or days.
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Wearing underwear made from synthetics that are too tight and tight. In addition to being an obstacle to normal blood flow, uncomfortable underwear also creates a greenhouse effect, especially in hot weather, as it is unable to absorb sweat. As a result, diaper rash and irritation develop on the skin, often accompanied by itching.
- Overweight. In addition to the fact that obese people most often suffer from increased sweating, they have excess fat folds that are problematic to care for. Constant humidity is a good breeding ground for bacteria. As a result, a man develops diaper rash, accompanied by skin irritation.
- Allergic reaction. Skin irritation in the groin can be triggered by an allergic reaction to almost any allergen. In the groin, it most often occurs in response to the use of detergents (soap, gel, shampoo, etc.) or shaving products.
- Inguinal epidermophytosis. It is a contagious disease that affects the skin of large folds. It is men who most often suffer from this disease. It is transmitted by contact and household, belongs to the group of dermatomycosis. Skin irritation is accompanied by the appearance of pink itchy spots, which are rounded and flaky.
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Erythrasma. This disease belongs to the group of pseudomycoses, provoked by microscopic organisms from the group of corynebacteria. Most often, males suffer from erythrasma, the disease is transmitted by contact (including during intercourse), accompanied by the appearance of rounded brown spots on the skin. It is the groin area that is affected in the first place. Itching may be present, but most often it is mild.
- Diabetes mellitus is often accompanied by itchy groin and skin irritation. Diseases of the thyroid gland can manifest themselves in a similar way.
- Infection with pubic lice or scabies. Both of these diseases are accompanied by severe itching, irritation of the groin skin. However, with pubic lice, parasites can be seen with the naked eye, while scabies can only be diagnosed in a laboratory setting. Itching with scabies spreads throughout the body, however, large and small folds are primarily involved in the process.
- Naturally, insufficient hygiene should not be ruled out as the cause of skin irritation in the groin in men.
On the subject: Redness and itching of the glans penis
Treating groin irritation in men
Methods for eliminating skin irritation in the groin in men directly depend on what provoked such discomfort:
- To eliminate irritation after shaving, immediately after the procedure, rinse the skin with warm water and treat with a roll-on deodorant, but not an antiperspirant. An infusion based on chamomile, string, celandine, calendula helps to soothe the skin. To prepare it, you will need two tablespoons of the herb of the selected plant and a glass of boiling water. The herb is infused for 15 minutes, after which it is cooled, the fabric is soaked in it and applied to the skin in the form of a compress. It is best to abandon the use of alcohol lotions, and after shaving, disinfect the skin with a mixture of crushed Aspirin tablets (2 pcs.) And glycerin (2 tablespoons). Regular baby powder works well with skin irritation in the groin after shaving.
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If irritation in the groin occurs due to wearing synthetic underwear, then it should be completely abandoned. It is desirable to give preference to cotton products that absorb moisture well and allow the skin to "breathe". To get rid of irritation that has already arisen, you can apply a drying ointment to the skin. It can be Destin ointment, Lassar paste, Zinc ointment. The Xeroform ointment has a disinfecting effect.
- If skin irritation in the groin occurs due to excess weight, then it is necessary to get rid of it. If this is not possible, then the skin, especially in the area of the folds, must be carefully looked after. You need to take a shower as often as possible, after which you should treat the skin with antiseptic solutions. A 10% solution of boric acid on glycerin is excellent for this purpose. After the antiseptic is dry and absorbed, the skin can be sprinkled with talcum powder, starch or baby powder, which will absorb moisture.
- If irritation in the groin is caused by an allergic reaction, then you should stop contact of the skin with the allergen as soon as possible. An anti-allergic cream is applied to the skin to eliminate inflammation, itching and rash. You can opt for such products as Fenistil gel, Gistan, Skin-cap, Elidel. With severe irritation, hormonal antiallergenic ointments, for example, Elokom or Advantan, can help. However, it is best to use them after medical advice.
- Inguinal epidermophytosis involves local treatment with high-quality personal hygiene of the affected skin. Triderm ointment, lotions with a solution of silver nitrate 0.25% copes well with the problem. It is possible to use antifungal drugs Lamisil, Clotrimazole, Mycoseptin. It is no less useful to take baths with oak bark, succession, celandine. From these herbs, infusions and decoctions are made, which can also be used to apply compresses.
- To get rid of irritation with erythrasma, it is necessary to rub Erythromycin ointment or Sulfur-tar ointment into the groin area 2 times a day. The course of treatment lasts at least a week. If a bacterial infection joins, then applying resorcinol alcohol to the damaged skin is indicated. With large lesions, a course of antibiotic treatment is carried out.
- Diabetes mellitus and other pathologies of the endocrine glands that can lead to irritation in the groin area should be diagnosed exclusively by a doctor. Treatment is also prescribed by the doctor and based on the health status of the individual patient.
- As for pubic lice, shaving of pubic hair and the use of antiparasitic drugs (Medifox, Nittifor, Vitar, Pedilin) are shown. Treatment of scabies is possible only after visiting a dermatologist's office and after establishing an accurate diagnosis. It also boils down to the complete destruction of the itch mite and its larvae. For this, creams and ointments are used (Lindane, Crotamiton, Permethrin, Benzyl benzoate, etc.). To reduce itching and skin irritation, the intake of antihistamines inside is indicated (Zyrtec, Erius, Zodak, etc.).
- When the cause of skin irritation in the groin in men is non-compliance with the rules of personal hygiene, then to eliminate it, you should carefully monitor your body. You need to take a shower daily, the same rule applies to changing underwear. It is important to use only personal items for intimate hygiene: towels, washcloths, etc.
Irritation of the skin in the groin area in men is most often provoked by factors that can be easily corrected and eliminated. However, in some cases, medical attention may be required.
The author of the article: Kuzmina Vera Valerievna | Endocrinologist, nutritionist
Education: Diploma of the Russian State Medical University named after NI Pirogov with a degree in General Medicine (2004). Residency at Moscow State University of Medicine and Dentistry, diploma in Endocrinology (2006).
