Genital Rash With A Dose Of Anxiety

[Mikewat]

I have been diagnosed by my GP and a Dermatologist as having a yeast infection.  It was originally diagnosed about a year and a half ago.  It started with terrible itching in the crease between my scrotum and left leg.  My GP prescribed me oral anti-fungal but I cannot remember what it was called.  It helped no cure.  He then referred me to a dermatologist.

The dermatologist diagnosed athletes foot under one toenail and said it most likely spread to my groin.  He prescribed oral Lamasil and desonide.  It also seemed to help my groin and the toenail is now normal.  

Even though all the treatments have helped, no cure.  I saw a sugeon for hernia repair and mentioned it to him and he prescribed Nystatin Powder to try and clear it up before surgery.  It also seems to help but several red bumps/pimples have appeared.  They were not close together and once popped, they seemed to heal and go away, although not completely as of yet.

My original Dermatologist has since retired and I am set to see another is several weeks.  My anxiety is that I saw a prositute several years ago and have had terrible guilt associated with it.  I had protected sex and unprotected oral sex.  I have learned to deal with it but this continual problem in my groin is starting to get the best of me and all the anxiety is wearing me down.  With all the information available on the net, appropriate and not, it has really got my head spinning...from eczema, tenea cruris, to herpes!!!

The area does not realy itch as it did originally, it is more of a discomfort.  I live in a very humid area and it is very hard to keep the area dry during the day and that is when it is at its' worst.  I have notices small bumps before but I don't recall any of them being "fluid-filled" like these recent ones.  The rash is in the same spot and has not spread to the other side of my groin.  I have never had any STD testing performed.

Please let me know your thoughts...

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

My thoughts are that you are worrying absolutely unnecessarily.  There is nothing in your description that suggests a sexually-transmitted disease.  It sounds like chafing, not even yeast or fungus (and those are in any case not sexually transmitted anyway most of the time.)  My advice is to clean the area gently, keep it lubricated, and let the dermatologist have a look when you get the appointment.  be sure to share your concerns about STD's, because I'd bet the doctor won't even think about them unless you bring them up.  Then you can relax and just do what it takes to keep the skin calm.

Best.

Dr. Rockoff