Last updated on October 6, 2020
Question:
I’ve had razor burn, heat rash, ingrown hairs at different times, and some at the same time. But now it seems as if I could have all at the same time plus jock itch. I’ve got the typical redness and bump between my legs from just behind my scrotum up to and around its sides. There is nothing on the shaft of the penis. No distinguishable open sores or puss-filled ones either. But the bumps are at hair follicles. They are more irritable, a little more painful, overall more severe, and more than I’ve ever had total on one occasion.
Do you have any suggestions?
Thank you.
Answer:
First off, stop shaving your genitals and between your legs. It is obviously not doing you any good and causing you a lot of problems. It will be itchy for the first few days, but that will go away shortly. Second, throw away the razor. You don’t want to use it to shave your face as you might spread the infection. Third, stay out of hot tubs or pools until the infection clears up.
One possibility is that you have folliculitis. This simply means an infection of the hair follicles. It could be a bacteria or fungal infection. Irritated skin, such as caused by shaving or tight clothing, allows bacteria or fungus into the hair follicles. One of the reasons you are supposed to have long hairs between your legs is to keep them apart so the skin doesn’t irritate itself.
The infection may clear up on its own in a few weeks, but to be sure try putting an anti-fungal (jock-itch) medication on according to the directions. If it is a fungal infection, you should see progress being made within three days. If nothing has changed, then it is probably a bacterial infection. Use an antibiotic twice a day instead and see if progress is made within three days. If that doesn’t work, you need to see a dermatologist in order to get more specific treatment. If either the anti-fungal or antibiotic works, keep using it until several days past when you no longer see the infection.
To help speed up the recovering and to prevent it from reoccurring, you need to wear loose-fitting clothing. Wear loose boxers. Change your underwear every day and wash your underwear in hot water. At night, don’t wear anything below the waist until the infection clears up. After that wear loose pajamas with no underwear at night.
Response:
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