Can You Get Eczema On Your Private Parts

What Is Vulvar Eczema

Eczema, also called atopic dermatitis, is a common skin condition that causes itchy and red patches on the skin. Vulvar eczema is eczema that is on the external area around the vagina. It is also typically not limited to the vulva, but may also be around the anal opening and between the buttocks.

There are three types of eczema that affect the vulva:

• atopic eczema
• allergic eczema
• irritant contact eczema

The condition usually causes the skin to be sore, itchy, and red. Since there are many different causes of this in the vulvar area, its important that a doctor looks at it to rule out things like a yeast infection or sexually transmitted infection .

Symptoms of vulvar eczema are similar to other types of eczema, and can include:

• dry, scaly patches
• redness
• itching

If the vulvar eczema is due to an irritant, you may also have vaginal or vulvar burning.

How Can You Ease The Pain From Genital Eczema

To help relieve discomfort in the area, you can use a cold compress. Over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen may also be effective for reducing burning, pain, and inflammation in the genital area. In some cases, antihistamines can reduce inflammation. Some specific OTC antihistamines that you can try include Benadryl, Zyrtec, Claritin, and Allegra.

How Are Itchy Genitals Treated What Medicines May Relieve Itchy Genitals

The treatment for your itchy genitals depends on the cause. If you have eczema, your healthcare provider may prescribe steroid creams. Lichen sclerosus responds to phototherapy . Antifungal medications are often prescribed for jock itch. Your healthcare provider will diagnose you and recommend the best treatment.

Recommended Reading: Best Diapers For Eczema Baby

When To Check In With Your Doctor

The sooner you can get your symptoms under control, the better your chances of warding off the spread of eczema. Preventing outbreaks largely depends on figuring out your triggers. But finding the cause for a flare-up may be difficult for many people. A specialist can help you in determining the cause of your eczema.

What Are The Treatments For Vulvar Dermatitis

The treatment for vulvar dermatitis will depend on the cause.

In the case of contact dermatitis or an allergic reaction, a person may need to change their soaps or detergents to avoid irritants.

If an infection is responsible, the doctor might prescribe medications such as oral antibiotics or topical creams.

Although there is for atopic dermatitis, many treatments are available. Doctors may prescribe one or more of the following treatments to manage the symptoms and prevent complications:

• moisturizing creams
• topical treatments, such as steroid creams
• antihistamines
• oral or injectable medications, for moderate to severe eczema

The severity of a personâs symptoms and the amount of their body that eczema affects will determine the treatment plan. People may need to try more than one treatment.

Alongside treatment, lifestyle changes may help reduce the symptoms of vulvar dermatitis.

Recommended Reading: Best Foundation For Eczema Skin

How Is Eczema Herpeticum Diagnosed

Often, eczema herpeticum is recognised by its appearance, although it can sometimes be difficult to diagnose as it may be easily mistaken for bacterial infection or a severe flare of the eczema or predisposing skin condition. A viral and bacterial swab from one of the blisters may be taken to confirm the infection.

Recommended Reading: Oil Based Ointments For Eczema

The Best Treatments For Penis Eczema

Eczema on your penis can be tricky to treat, as being tucked into your undies means its hard to avoid chafing. Unless youre a naturist, its unlikely theres a lot of air circulation around the groin area, encouraging a sweaty environment which can worsen the condition.

To make matters worse, your penis head contains the highest concentration of nerve endings of all the genital area, meaning it can be a particularly painful location for an eczema flare-up. It also means its even more important to seek the proper treatment to ensure no lasting damage is done.

If its your first eczema flare-up, it may be a good idea to get a clinicians opinion on what type of eczema you have, and the best course of action. While it may be embarrassing, it will be a lot easier down the line to know what youre dealing with, rather than just hoping for the best and risk your condition worsening.

A doctor may prescribe steroid creams, or oral steroids, to reduce the itch, or antibiotics if your rash has become infected. If you think your eczema is due to an allergy, they may be able to perform an allergy test to confirm this and help you develop a long-term treatment plan which may involve a dietary change or change in household items.

You May Like: Is Lubriderm Good For Eczema

Are Itchy Testicles Caused By Medical Conditions Or Poor Hygiene

The male private parts are, in general, a very sensitive area. This is why we are educated about genital hygiene. Excessive sweating in the groin area can cause an itch, and so can going for a few days without bathing.

However, other than that, some medical conditions are also responsible for the same. Below we are going to look at all possible causes of itchy testicles.

Causes Of Penile Eczema

Although researchers are not certain what causes eczema, they believe genetics and an overactive immune system could be involved.

According to the National Eczema Association, an overactive immune system can cause an inflammatory response to specific triggers. This inflammation can then bring on eczema symptoms.

Researchers also note a link between eczema and a particular gene mutation. Some people with the condition do not have a specific protein called filaggrin, which helps create a protective layer on the skin.

A lack of filaggrin can cause the skin to become drier and more susceptible to infection.

A combination of the above factors and environmental triggers may cause eczema.

Irritation of the penis can also contribute to the condition. Various environmental factors can irritate the penis, including:

• tight clothing

There are many creams and substances available that claim to be effective in treating eczema symptoms. However, these products may cause further skin irritation in some people who use them without medical guidance.

People can help ease the symptoms of penile eczema at home by:

A person with penile eczema may consider seeing a doctor to discuss the right treatment.

A healthcare professional may suggest any of the following treatment options:

• an emollient, which people can apply after bathing and use instead of soap or body washes
• antihistamines to help ease itching
• topical steroids, which people may apply 1â2 times per day, or as a doctor prescribes

Don’t Miss: What Do You Do For Eczema

What Is Contact Dermatitis Of The Vulva

It is a skin problem that causes:

• Vulvar or vaginal burning
• Irritation
• Itching

It happens when the vulvar skin becomes sensitive to products called contact irritants. This can be sudden or get worse slowly with repeated exposure to irritants, such as:

• Laundry detergents
• Fabric softeners and dryer sheets
• Body soaps
• Feminine products

Quick Home Remedies To Relieving Penile And Testicle Itching

The above are mostly long-term remedies, and for some, you may start to notice their effects after a day or two. If you are looking for immediate relief, the home remedies below can be quite useful:

• Apply a cold compress to the affected area.
• Avoid sexual activity that may worsen the itch.
• Take a salt bath regularly.
• Apply coconut and tea tree oil.

Don’t Miss: What Is Good For Eczema On Body

What Causes Penile Eczema

Eczema is caused by your genetics and environment.

Many people affected by eczema have a mutation in the gene responsible for creating filaggrin. This protein creates a protective barrier on the top layer of skin. If your body doesnt create enough filaggrin, moisture can leave the skin and bacteria can enter.

Environmental triggers can compound this reaction. Triggers such as latex cause your immune system to produce an exaggerated inflammatory response, resulting in a flare-up.

Other possible triggers include:

What Are The Signs

• Mild to severe burning and/or itching of the vulva
• Vulvar redness and swelling
• Raw feeling due to the vulvar irritation
• Damp or wet feeling due to weeping of the irritated skin surface
• Some women mistake this dampness as vaginal discharge.

Don’t Miss: Best Lotion To Use For Eczema

What Causes Eczema On The Penis

Several types of eczema may affect the penis. Some forms of eczema that can affect the penis are triggered by environmental factors, such as soaps, detergents, or allergens . It is also possible for a person who has atopic dermatitis on other parts of the body to develop eczema rashes on the skin of the penis.

There are three main types of eczema that can affect the skin of the penis: atopic dermatitis, seborrheic dermatitis, and contact dermatitis. Both atopic dermatitis and seborrheic dermatitis are considered endogenous forms of the disease they result from internal causes .

How To Treat Eczema On The Genital Region

First, you will need to eliminate the source of the allergy from your daily routine. However, you must look beyond simply the object or product in question, and avoid any exposure to the allergen itself.

In any case, it is recommended to consult your doctor, who can help identify the allergen and advise you on the products and objects to avoid. Your doctor will ask you several questions about your habits and will carry out allergy tests accordingly to determine the cause of the allergy.

They may also prescribe a topical corticosteroid to soothe itching .

Also Check: How To Clear Eczema On Hands

Diagnosis And Treatment Of Vulvar Dermatitis

If you think you may have vulvar dermatitis, schedule an appointment with your doctor. During your visit, theyâll ask you about your symptoms, if you have a history of eczema, any allergies you have, what your vulvar cleaning habits are, and what products you use around your vagina.

Then, your doctor will do an exam of the skin around your vagina. Theyâll look for skin changes such as cracking, thickening, redness, or scaling. They may also test a sample of your vaginal discharge to rule out infection.

If your doctor finds that you have eczema on your vulva, theyâll suggest the next steps for treatment. Itâs best to go with your doctorâs recommendations rather than over-the-counter methods since these might have additional allergens or irritants in them.

Your doctor might prescribe a cream to treat your eczema. You should apply the cream to your vulva as often as instructed by your doctor. While you use it, youâll want to keep stronger soaps and cosmetic washes away from your vaginal area.

Your doctor may also give you a topical steroid. The skin on your vulva will absorb this medication quickly, so itâs important that you use it carefully and as directed. Usually, you should only use these medications once or twice a day. Sometimes your doctor will prescribe an antibiotic with your steroid cream as well. Make sure you follow the directions to avoid further eczema flares.

What Causes Eczema In Pubic Area

It is not always possible to detect the underlying cause of eczema in genital area. But there are several possible triggers suspected to cause this embarrassing skin problem. The genital skin is prone to get irritated due to excess of sweating, tight fitting underwear, and too much friction between skin surfaces etc.

Skin dermatitis in this region can occur due to allergic reaction to soaps, talcum powder, use of deodorants and perfumes, antiseptic soaps, etc.

Stool and urine incontinence can keep the area moist for long period. This may lead to many problems, including eczema in genital area.

Read Also: Best Natural Lotion For Eczema

What Irritants Should Be Avoided

• Laundry detergents with enzymes, whiteners, and brighteners
• Fabric softeners and dryer sheets
• Perfumed bath soaps, gels, and lotions
• Bubble bath, oils, bath salts, and skin softeners
• Feminine hygiene sprays, perfumes, and powders
• Adult and baby wipes or towelettes
• Deodorant tampons and pads
• Contraceptive creams, jellies, foams, and sponges
• Condoms, prepackaged with lubricant or spermicides
• Colored, perfumed toilet paper
• Nylon underwear or panty hose
• Other irritantstalk about these at your visit

Vulvar Skin Conditions And Their Treatment

Several vulvar skin conditions are familiar from other areas of the body but may be difficult to recognize when they appear on the vulva. These include the following:

Eczema. This inflammatory skin condition disrupts the skin’s surface, causing red patches and thin cracks, weeping, and crust formation. On the vulva, crusts are less likely, but eczema may initiate a cycle of vulvar itching and scratching that leads to lichen simplex chronicus thickened and intensely itchy skin. If eczema affects an area of the vulva called the vestibule, it may cause stinging and burning. Sometimes eczema appears in early childhood and its cause is unknown. More often, it begins with exposure to an irritant or allergen .

To diagnose vulvar eczema, the clinician will ask about your symptoms your history of eczema, allergy, and related conditions your vulvar cleansing habits and any products the vulva has been exposed to. During the exam, she or he will look for redness, scaling, cracking, and thickening.

Don’t Miss: Is Dial Soap Good For Eczema

Getting A Diagnosis For Genital Eczema

The genital region is at risk of the scope of skin issues, many of them accidentally self-caused. You may routinely spoil your face and strive to keep it hydrated, youthful, and eczema-free, yet what have you done of late for the more touchy skin of your genitals.

Many people think no more than itch is just yeast infection. But with age and the decrease in collagen production, men and women are progressively inclined to an assortment of conditions that aggravate the genitals, including eczema. And genital eczema isnt getting the consideration it needs and people arent getting the help they should be getting.

Genital skin conditions are very treatable however, the treatment relies upon a particular reason. Whats more, recognizing the fundamental cause can be exceptionally difficult.

Inform your clinician concerning some other past or present medical problems and any skin issues somewhere else on your body. For instance, psoriasis in any place on the body raises the danger of a genital condition known as lichen sclerosus. Lichen, as a term connected to skin issues, alludes to skin sores that look like lichen on rocks.

Crohns disease, an extremely irritating intestinal issue, may cause abscesses or depleting fistulas in the genital region, and vulvar skin issues, including eczema, is regularly one of its initial indications.

What Causes Itchy Genitals

Itchy genitals can be a symptom of many conditions. These may include vaginal infections in females or jock itch in males. In either sex, itching can be caused by skin irritation, sexually transmitted diseases and allergies.

In many cases, itchy genitals caused by irritation will clear up on its own if the irritants are removed. Other causes of itching may require more intensive treatment. If you are concerned about itchiness in your genitals that does not go away, talk to your healthcare provider.

Read Also: Gold Bond Ultimate Eczema Relief Cream With 2 Colloidal Oatmeal

The Causes Of Allergic Eczema

You can develop a sudden allergy to a substance, the most common example being that of costume jewelry which triggers an allergic reaction due to its nickel content. Several everyday products or objects can cause allergic reactions when exposed to the skin. This condition is known as contact eczema.

If contact eczema is affecting the genital region, it may be due to an allergy to an undergarment or intimate cleansing product, for example, or perhaps to the latex in condoms .

Contact can also occur indirectly: a cosmetic applied to the hands which then come into contact with the genital region, for example.

Types Of Genital Eczema

There are four types of eczema that could develop in the genital area:

• Atopic dermatitis: This type of eczema presents as an itchy and scaly rash. It is due to a reaction in the skin, which leads to ongoing itching, swelling, and redness. People with atopic dermatitis may be more sensitive because their skin lacks specific proteins in the skin barrier, the top layer of the skin that protects it from pathogens.
• Seborrheic dermatitis: It causes itchy red patches and greasy scales on your skin, along with white or yellow crusty or powdery flakes on your scalp. Although this type of eczema is more common on the scalp, it can also affect other parts of the body that have a lot of oil glands, including the groin.
• Allergic contact dermatitis:When the genital area is exposed to an allergen, it can lead to the development of eczema in the area. It typically occurs 48 to 72 hours after exposure to the allergen.
• Irritant contact dermatitis: Irritant contact dermatitis occurs when chemicals or physical agents damage the surface of the skin faster than the skin can repair the damage. Irritants remove oils and moisture from the skin’s outer layer, allowing chemical irritants to penetrate more deeply and cause further damage.

There are different types of genital eczema depending on which part it affects:

• Scaly or leathery patches of skin
• Crusty skin
• Swelling or irritation

Recommended Reading: Can Pet Dander Cause Eczema