A PROBLEM SHARED

Got a problem? Dr Ranj Singh is here to offer his advice

This is a bit embarrassing… I have a really itchy crotch, but I can’t get an appointment with my doctor right now. What could it be?

I’m sorry to hear you haven’t been able to make an appointment with your doctor. Unfortunately, the coronavirus has meant that faceto-face appointments aren’t always possible, but you should be able to get a phone or video consultation, so be persistent.

The good news is that an itchy crotch is unlikely to be serious. First, think about what is in contact with that area: have you recently changed your type of underwear, shower gel, or started using anything new down there? If so, perhaps change back, or try something else. Contact dermatitis is a reaction to anything touching the skin and the easy way to sort it is to stop using the offending item — otherwise, a steroid cream should do the trick.

The next possibility to consider is infection – the warm, moist conditions in your pants are an ideal breeding ground for fungal infections. This is particularly the case for sporty or heavier people, who may sweat more in the area. If the skin looks red and scaly, then it might be something called ‘jock itch’ (also known as tinea cruris), which is easy to treat by keeping the area dry and applying an antifungal cream – available from your pharmacist.

Skin conditions, such as eczema and psoriasis, can manifest with intense itching. Eczema is usually characterised by dry, itchy, sometimes cracked skin that is prone to infection – the skin must be kept clean and moisturised so it can replace its natural barrier. If it’s really bad, then a short course of a steroid cream should help, but if it doesn’t improve, see your doctor.

Meanwhile, psoriasis looks like red, raised, scaly patches and often appears in other areas, too. This requires medication that your doctor would need to prescribe.

Very rarely, genital itching is a symptom of another condition altogether. For example, a yeast infection of the penis can be itchy and, if recurrent, could be the first sign of diabetes. Likewise, itching can be a sign of some genital cancers. However, in both these instances, you’re likely to have signs or symptoms elsewhere.

Finally, the itch could be linked to a sexually transmitted infection, such as pubic lice, aka crabs. The itching tends to be worse at night and you might also notice a black ‘powder’ in your pants – this is lice droppings! You’d need to get an insecticide from your pharmacist and wash all your clothes, bedding and towels at a high temperature (above 60°C).

If none of the over-the-counter treatments works, then keep trying your doctor for a proper check.

“Have you changed your type of underwear or shower gel?”