Is it jock itch? Or what?

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Hi all.I'm in a bit of a pickle here. I've been having these itchy sores since around the last week of December. I've researched and only came up with it being jock itch, but it just won't go away. I have been putting hydrocortisone cream on them almost daily after showering and never wearing the same pants every day for PJs or during the day.The sores are raised parts of the skin and appear mostly near the groin-side areas. I also have little red bumps (that do not bother me at all) on the shaft of my penis. (may be just from masturbation) If it is related at all, I have gotten little red-hard skin sores on my legs and I know I have not done anything to cause them. (just one per leg I would guess..)What can I do? Should I go to the doctor? What SHOULD I do?If you need more info, just ask. Thanks.

Welcome to A2A, Rzr. Hydrocortisone only treats the symptoms of inflammation, not the causes, so it's not very helpful here.There are a number of different sorts of skin disease. Fungal diseases, such as jock itch, are most common, so it's usually a good idea to start with an antifungal cream. Hydrocortisone is not an antifungal. You can get antifungal cream at any pharmacy - anything for tinea or athlete's foot or ringworm should be fine. Use it twice a day - if it's a fungal condition it should start getting better in a few days. (If it isn't, the cream won't have hurt you.) Keep using the cream for two weeks after the rash has all gone, or it can come back.If the cream doesn't work, it might be bacterial, or due to bugs (such as pubic lice or scabies mites - insect repellent sprays treat these well), or a resistant fungus. It's probably a good time then to show a doctor.

Thanks for the welcoming and the answer. I researched and was told that hydrocortisone will help the itching and possibly clear it up. Boy, was I wrong. But, I'll go ahead and take your advice and see what happens. Hopefully it does clear up. It's not a really pretty sight, haha.Again, thanks.

I agree with Pete, but if it doesn't get better go have it looked at by a doctor. I have had jock itch a few times in my life and it was never with "raised sores and red bumps".If you dont see any results in a week or so, make the appointment.

Would there be any around-the-house materials that would help treat it, or do I really need to go and get specifically anti-fungal medication?My parents advised me to try something like Neosporin (I think I spelled it right) to help treat it.

Neosporin is an antibacterial, which might help if it's a bacterial infection (though only if it's a surface one), but has no antifungal effect.

Antifungal creams are available over the counter at pharmacies, and any properly-stocked home medicine cabinet should have a tube (but of course yours may not).

Zinc pyridinethione (pryrithione zinc), often used in anti-dandruff shampoo, has both anti-bacterial and antifungal activity and can be tried at a pinch, though it's less effective.

If finding an antifungal cream is going to be tricky, it might be better to have a doctor look at it straight away. It's possible the doctor may be able to tell exactly what it is by sight, so you don't have to do the trial-and-error. If it has lumps and itches, it may for example be pubic lice (crabs), or scabies (caused by a mite - that is particularly itchy at night) and need insecticide to treat it.

Okay, I went to the doctor yesterday and he prescribed me antifungal medication called Mentax. He said it's a very strong medication, but it should clear it up within 10 days.

He was not specific as to whether it was jock itch or what. He just said it's a fungal infection and that it is only contracted during days of high humidity and being outside.

So, I'm all good now. :smile:

Good to hear you've gotten taken care of. It's funny how something can be so stubborn as fungus is and be taken be eliminated so easily with medication. Just be sure to continue to use the medication as long as the prescription calls for. Otherwise you might find the problem returns quickly.

Rzr, did Mentax worked for you?

Unfortunately i am also suffering from jock itch. Its been like two years since i am suffering from this really annoying disease. Nothing seems to help. Its just goes off when i use medication but come back after i stop using it. I am really fed up :cry:

Welome to A2A, frisbee.If the medication seems to knock down the jock itch, it may be that you are not using it long enough to completely kill the fungus. You might try it again and keep using it for week or so after the fungus is gone. You may also find that your fungus has become immune to the medication you have been using and that you need to switch to another. The key, however, is to continue use for awhile wven after you notice that the fungus appears to be gone.