What is itching on the genitals? How to deal with it

In clinical practice, the symptoms of genital itching in men are largely related to diseases. Therefore, the following article will introduce the causes of genital itching in men.

Disease 1: Scrotal itching

Cause: Local dampness is a major cause of scrotal itching. The scrotum itself has glandular secretions, and sweating is frequent. If you often wear tight, synthetic underwear that is not good at absorbing sweat and is not ventilated, it is easy to cause scrotal itching. Having sex with a woman with candidal vaginitis can also cause scrotal itching due to the irritation of the male genitals by the inflammatory secretions. In addition, mental tension, the stimulation of spicy food, friction, static electricity, and the irritation of the vulva skin by detergent residue on the underwear can also induce scrotal itching.

Symptoms: The skin of the scrotum is itchy, but no rash is visible. Because patients always scratch, the skin in the affected area often becomes thickened and lichenified.

Response: Clean promptly after sexual intercourse; keep the area dry, and use talcum powder on the scrotum appropriately; wear cotton, sweat-absorbent underwear to help ventilation; use mild detergent, and use less soap and washing powder; relax your emotions, and use some nerve nourishing drugs such as vitamins B1, B2, and oryzanol; avoid washing with very hot water or using irritating drugs, and avoid eating spicy food to prevent the condition from worsening; scratch as little as possible, because it can lead to a vicious cycle, forming chronic simple lichen (i.e. neurodermatitis), which is more difficult to treat.

Oral antihistamines can be taken to relieve itching, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can be applied to the affected area. It is generally not recommended to use hormonal drugs for external application, because the scrotum can easily absorb these drugs, causing side effects such as skin redness, atrophy and thinning, capillary dilation, and excessive hair growth. However, if other treatments are ineffective and the condition is still relatively serious, weak hormonal drugs can be used for a short period of time under the guidance of a doctor.

Disease 2: Scrotal eczema

Cause: It is related to the individual's eczema predisposition, so allergy is an important inducement, including underwear materials, dyes, shrimp, crab, beef, peanuts, alcohol, etc. in diet, which can induce scrotal eczema. In addition, humidity, friction, mental and nervous factors and seasonal climate can induce or aggravate the disease.

Symptoms: limited to the scrotal skin, sometimes extending to the anus, and rarely to the penis. Severe itching. Rash, erosion, and exudate may be seen.

Response: Eczema is related to hereditary eczema, so it is difficult to correct. The key is to remove or avoid factors that induce and aggravate eczema, such as relaxing, wearing breathable cotton underwear, scratching less, not eating foods that may cause allergies, and not washing the eczema area with hot water, let alone washing too frequently, because doing so can make the skin drier, further aggravate the damage to the skin barrier function, and make it more itchy. Therefore, do not clean too frequently, keep the water temperature low, use less detergent or use a mild and moisturizing detergent, and moisturize the skin immediately after washing to ensure that it will not cause skin allergies.