Having that itch you can’t scratch is the worst. Most of the time, scratching only makes the situation worse. You’re still itchy and the surrounding people are uncomfortable. There are many reasons why you could have the itch. Here are a few of the most common reasons why you have an itch down there.
Fungal Infections:
Do You Have It? You will have a rash that comes with the itching when you have a fungal infection. Depending on the fungus, the rash may look different. Basically, if you think you have a rash, and it is especially itchy down there, contact your doctor. If you have a fungal infection, it is an infection and it needs to be treated. It will not go away on its own.
Treatment Options: Usually your doctor will prescribe an antifungal cream that will treat which type of fungus it is. The most commonly prescribed antifungal cream is Lotrimin AF. These creams attack the fungal cells and leave your healthy cells untouched.
Chafing:
Do You Have It? Chafing is when your skin rubs together. The most common place for chafing is on your thighs. If you consistently participate in activities that involve a lot of friction, like running, you may develop chafing on your thighs. The rubbing causes inflammation on your skin barrier, or the outer layers of your skin. It looks like a red, irritated patch of skin. It is usually itchy and it burns.
Treatment Options: When it comes to treatment, you want to protect the skin. You want to prevent any additional rubbing that could occur, as it will only make the rash worse. Most of the time, a moisturizer like a moisturizing cream, can help repair your skin and get rid of your rash. You can also use a zinc cream alongside the moisturizer. It can create a protective barrier and help restore moisture to the skin.
Intertrigo:
Do You Have It? This is a red, raw, rash that not only itches but stings. Most of the time this rash develops in places where you sweat a lot. Examples of these places are, your groin, between your toes, the folds of your stomach, and under your arms. The excess moisture is an excellent growing place for fungus, which is what causes the rash.
Treatment Options: You can use antibacterial creams and antifungal creams to help remedy this rash. Add a zinc cream on top of these and you will see results. If the rash sticks around for more than two weeks, you need to contact a dermatologist. They will give you stronger version of these medications and your rash will go away.
Contact Dermatitis:
Do You Have It? This type of rash happens when you come into contact with something you are allergic to. This is a super itchy, red rash that is bumpy. You may even experience a clear or yellowish fluid coming from it. This comes most often when you have changed something in your life. For example, if you get this type of rash and you have changed laundry detergent recently, you are probably allergic to the laundry detergent. Sometimes, it takes a few days for the rash to develop, but it can also happen just hours after. If you notice itching everywhere, then you are definitely experiencing contact dermatitis.
Treatment Options: Stop using whatever it is that caused this. As stated before, if you began using a new laundry detergent, switch back to old one and see if there are any changes. Make sure to rewash clothes a few times before wearing them. If it is contact dermatitis, the rash should disappear in about two weeks.
Pubic Lice:
Do You Have It? You will have intense itching and irritation if you have pubic lice. You will also most likely notice little specks in your pubic hair. Pubic lice, aka crabs, is a common occurrence. You may see white specks near the base of the hair, or even see the adult lice moving through the hair.
Treatment Options: Go to your doctor. There is not a lot that you can do at home except guess. You do not want to use any of the prescription anti-lice lotions or medications if it is not lice because it will only irritate things further. It is better to go to your doctor and be diagnosed than to only make a rash caused by something else, worse.
Herpes:
Do You Have It? This is an STI, but most of the time the first sign is itching. The itch usually turns into a burning sensation in about a day. You will also experience a blister, or a whole cluster of blisters from the STI. Once these blisters begin breaking, you will have painful sores. If you have had this before, and it keeps coming back, you probably have herpes.
Treatment Options: You will need to talk to your doctor. There is no cure for herpes but you can get treatment to help calm symptoms. You will likely receive antiviral medications from your doctor. These medications can help shorten outbreaks, or prevent them all together. They can also keep you from passing on the virus.
Genital Warts:
Do You Have It? This a common symptom of human papillomavirus, aka HPV. Most of the time, these resemble cauliflower and are soft to the touch. Sometimes, they only come up as one, and are skin colored. Other times, they pop up in a cluster, i.e. the cauliflower look. They can cause itching, but other than that they do not cause anything else.
Treatment Options: Visit your doctor if you think you have genital warts. You will be prescribed medication to help treat the warts. These medications help to up your immune system so it can clear up the warts. Genital warts can also be frozen off, like other warts. Even though you can get rid of warts, it doesn’t mean that the virus is gone. Since this is an STI, you can still spread it to future partners.
