It's tough when you need to scratch and society tells you it's "not polite."
"I have recently been having an urge to scratch my ball sack to the point where at times it is bleeding. This has been going on for about a month and I don't know what the fuck is happening. I start scratching and I know I need to stop, but it's almost an obsession. Have you heard anything like this before?"
Well, it's more common than one may think. But it could be a couple of things. I suspect either scrotal eczema or good old jock itch. The itching can be relentless in either case and, of course, no guy wants to be walking around scratching his balls all the time.
Even if there was (is) no visible rash eczema, or dermatitis, is a term that encompasses a few skin conditions. Areas of skin that are either dry and scaly, or moist and inflamed characterize the condition. Symptoms of scrotal eczema are symptoms of general eczema and can include
itching that be intense, burning, redness, dry scaly or leathery, swelling, discoloration, skin that oozes fluid or develops blisters filled with clear fluid, broken hairs.
I would try an over=the-counter (OTC) corticosteroid like Monistat or Lotrimin, or a proxamine topical like Gold Bond. Your pharmacist should be able to help you choose one. You can also take an antihistamine to help with the itching. Don't use harsh soaps to shower.
But if it persists, make an appointment with a dermatologist. 
Though there is no cure for eczema, prescribed creams or ointments can be much more effective than OTC remedies. You can reduce the frequency and severity of flare-ups by following your doctor's directions and taking any preventive measures he suggests.
Readers, any other suspicions or suggestions?
18 comments:
Poison ivy or sumac.... although both have a noticeable rash...
Also, with poison ivy or sumac, our victim needs to make sure to wash all clothing and bedding to prevent re-infection!
Although this problem appears to be one for a dermatologist, a urologist may be more familiar and ready to deal with it.
Good advice. I would add that moisture is perhaps adding to the problem. It is important to have "everything" completely dry before putting on underwear. And, wearing boxers (not boxer briefs) would help keep the area more dry and ventilated during the day, or go commando.
With the aide of topical antifungals and keeping the area dry, whatever is growing there (which is my suspicion), it won't like dry skin with antifungals, and will die off.
Whoa.
Yes, a doctor. STAT.
XOXO
Could also be a yeast infection... depending on the strength of his immune system. He should go to his physician and have it diagnosed. Nothing to mess with.
going commando?
Just: what you said.
wash your scrotum and perineum very well with neutral soaps.
I know a tiny (and scratching) bit about that, for I had the same kind of issue a few years ago, only it was up my right buttock. (I am a right-handed, is it related, Dr Ruth? :-)
[in random order]
- Stress? It is known for increasing - if not sometimes causing - eczema or its symptoms.
So you may take a moment to ask yourself if either something quite stressful has popped-up recently which you're having a hard time dealing with, or if you simply may no longer be able to manage the every day environment/goal you currently have to deal with, hence the reaction of your body that acts as a warning shot.
- Your diet? Notepad + pen => jog your memory and write down, for each of the seven past days, whatever it is you had for meal. Now ask yourself honestly, based on your knowledge of what a healthy diet should be, if yours is. (include the alcohols and their amount in the list, they fairly matter for they dehydrate the body)
- Current state of your sexual life? Refer to 'Stress', ditto as to Covid-induced situation.
- A fungus or other sort of dermatitis? Well, I am no doctor but I know enough from experience that Doctors sometimes* come in handy so, like Pat pointed out so rightly, you may want to make an appointment with a dermatologist.
If you are not willing to make that appointment yet, then yes you can start with creams free of prescription (with or w/o corticosteroids), though I know from experience they are mostly placebos (been there a few years back, did not help at all, though these creams were all over the commercials).
*: the 'sometimes handy' just means that as much as we love and revere Doctors for all the good they do to us, they are only humans. They are entitled to the benefit of the doubt, therefore doubting them benefits their whole community. [excerpt from Lao-Zeu reincarnation from 2021 - AKA BatRedneck]
Go see a doctor. As simple as that. 🙂
I think it is a yeast infection. In genital psoriasis, lesions can be located on the penis, scrotum or inguinal folds (or groin folds, located at the top of the thighs). Involvement of the scrotum or glans in circumcised men is characterized by inflammation (redness or erythema) and scales. In contrast, in uncircumcised men and in the inguinal folds, only redness is frequently observed, the scales typical of psoriasis being absent due to local humidity. Itching (pruritus), a burning sensation or even pain is sometimes present.
But it may just be a tic where the urge to scratch feeds on itself The more I scratch the more I want to scratch. Question of will.
Hugs and bisous, my darling Jean and Pat.
Warm weather can bring out a host of problems for everyone. The OTC anti-fungal creams/powders Pat mentions like Lotrimin would be a good start and a OTC hydrocortisone cream can stop the itch (great for bug bites and poison ivy too) but doesn't solve the underlying fungal infection that could be brewing. This is like athletes foot but not between your toes.
There is a ton of information online. Hugs and bisous.
I don't have any suggestions other then what you mention, but I have never heard of the balls inching like such.
Monistat and Lotrimin are not corticosteroids, but rather are antifungals. This distinction is important, because you should not use corticosteroids (hydrocortisone such as Cortaid etc.) on jock itch if it is caused by a fungus...they can make it worse or cause it to spread.
Rather than the advertised brand names you mention, antifungals can be bought more cheaply in generic forms. I use miconazole nitrate 2% cream whenever I have jock itch or athlete's foot and usually one application cures it. Tolnaftate cream is also available as a generic.
Moisturize your dick and balls; preferably with something oil based while your skin is still wet. Not too heavy into alkaline territory and definitely nothing acidic. Nothing with added sugar (especially for genital areas). Different pH for most parts of the body. Face, chest, back, legs every part has different pH needs. Coconut, Aloe Vera and Babassu based oils are good for all over the body when its still wet straight after a shower. Avoid cream based moisturizers unless you have damaged/very dry skin. Cream is too heavy to be quickly absorbed.
Your genitals is an area that is easily dried out. When its too dry you will itch to irritate your skin to produce more sebum but it can easily over produce the stuff which can lead to other problems. Genitals are also the most sensitive skin on the body too; easily irritated.
Apart from moisturizing; who has the person slept with recently? You could have an STI. Did they shave/wax in that area? If so the skin is going to be irritated and your going to scratch. If your shaving or waxing your balls you need to be moisturizing straight after to reduce skin irritation.
Just within the realm of anti-fungals, there are a number of options with each option having a different mode of attack: some actually kill the fungus and often only need a limited number of applications, whilst others prevent the fungus from growing, but must be used for longer to ensure all the fungus has died of old age (which could take more than 2-4 weeks of diligent application twice daily).
Then each option has a number of different brands but each using the same active ingredient.
It's a lot of research just to come to grips with anti-fungals and then they leave spores which can re-infect over time and you must be careful to kill off all the fungus before stopping treatment otherwise it's possible for the fungus to start to develop a resistance to the treatment.
I have had recurring jock-itch that I found Terbinafine (active ingredient) was successful. I had previously tried Miconazole (active ingredient) which only stops growth and found difficulty in maintaining treatment for the 4 weeks required. A curious side effect of Miconozole (Daktarin cream) that I used, which I am not sure if it is duplicated, is that it seemed to loosen my foreskin a little. There are other active ingredients such as Clotrimazole, Butenafine, Tolnaftate that I haven't tried.
Fungus can be transferred in communal showers, so it can be a good idea to wear thongs or other footwear to prevent contact and re-infection and to wash from top to bottom, never from feet to groin.
Put on socks before underwear so you don't transfer spores from feet to groin.
Microwave damp washed underwear: it creates high temperature steam that kills the fungus spores that may survive washing.
I have also discovered that I develop an all-over skin irritation in very dry environments, especially with synthetic fibres.
A Doctor is always a good option to better determine the problem, however over-the-counter medications can often fix an issue and if it responds in a few days, continue the treatment as advised on the medication.
Hey, enjoy your blog daily. With the itchy balls you didn't mention pubic lice (Crabs). I got them once and never could figure out where I got them because I hadn't had any contacts for well over a month. Then it took several attempts to eradicate them because my wife didn't feel them and she reinfected me. Glad that's long over. And they do make you itch and you might not see them if you don't look close.
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