What to do if the scrotum is moist, itchy and peeling

Moisture, itching and peeling of the scrotum can be relieved by keeping the area clean and dry, wearing breathable cotton underwear, topical antifungal ointments, oral antihistamines, and seeking medical attention to check for skin diseases. Moisture, itching and peeling of the scrotum is usually caused by local excessive sweating, fungal infection, contact dermatitis, eczema, scrotal ringworm, etc.

1. Keep clean and dry

Wash the scrotal area daily with warm water and avoid using harsh soaps or body washes. Dry thoroughly after washing, especially in skin folds. You can use fragrance-free baby powder to help absorb moisture, but powdered products should be kept away from broken skin. Underwear should be changed and cleaned promptly after repeated sweating to prevent sweat from irritating the skin for a long time.

2. Wear breathable cotton underwear

Choose loose and breathable cotton underwear to avoid chemical fiber materials or tight clothing from rubbing against the skin. People who sweat a lot can change their underwear 2-3 times a day, use neutral detergent and rinse thoroughly when cleaning. You can choose not to wear underwear when sleeping at night to maintain ventilation. The bed sheets and quilt covers should be cleaned and disinfected at high temperature every week.

3. Topical antifungal ointment

If it is accompanied by white scales or annular erythema, it may be a fungal infection. Antifungal drugs such as bifonazole cream, miconazole nitrate cream, and ketoconazole cream can be used as directed by your doctor. The affected area needs to be cleaned before application, and the ointment should cover 2 cm of normal skin around the lesion. Observe whether adverse reactions such as burning sensation occur during medication.

4. Oral antihistamines

When itching severely affects sleep, second-generation antihistamines such as loratadine tablets, cetirizine tablets, and ebastine tablets can be taken under the guidance of a doctor to relieve symptoms. Please note that some medications may cause drowsiness as a side effect. Avoid driving or working at high altitudes while taking the medication. When combined with exudative skin lesions, topical glucocorticoids are required.

5. See a doctor to check for skin diseases

If there is no relief for two weeks or if erosion or pustules appear, you need to see a dermatologist to check for scrotal eczema, seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis and other diseases. Fungal microscopy can identify the type of infection, and oral itraconazole capsules or terbinafine tablets may be required in refractory cases. People with underlying diseases such as diabetes need to prioritize blood sugar control.

You should avoid scratching the affected area daily to prevent secondary infection, and reduce the intake of spicy food and alcohol in your diet. Sedentary workers should get up and move around every hour to improve local blood circulation, and change wet clothes promptly after exercise. If there are pets or tinea pedis patients in the family, care must be taken to avoid cross-infection, and shared towels and other items must be boiled and disinfected.