The itchy crotch is a common discomfort in both males and females. This annoying feeling is common during warm seasons when the humidity level is high. A common cause of itching is a bacterial infection. Some causes are very contagious and can easily be transmitted through close physical contact during sex. Here is an insight into the causes, symptoms, and natural remedies to treat the condition.
Poor shaving is a common cause of itching in both males and females. This can be as a result of irritating your skin with the razor or shaving creams or damaging it by shaving too close to the skin. Other common causes will include poor hygiene, fungal, and bacterial infection, among others.
Itchy crotch male
The itchy crotch is common in men than in women. The itch can be annoying and be embarrassing, especially when occurring in public. Though scratching your crotch might seem like a short term solution, the truth is that it only makes matters worse. The best way to soothe the sensitive skin is to establish what the underlying cause of the itching might be as soon as possible.
According to a dermatologist Joshua Zeirchner M.D, director of cosmetic and clinic research at Mount Sinai Hospital, several causes might result in an itchy crotch. Some cause such irritation from a new detergent can be assumed. Others, such as an infection, can are serious and should be treated as soon as possible.
1. Excessive sweating
Excessive sweating around your groin is a common cause of itching. Candida skin infection can occur on any part of the body. These infections are, however, common in intertriginous regions of the body. These are areas of the body where skin rubs together.
Excessive sweating in these areas provides an optimal environment for the fungal to thrive and multiply. Most affected areas include the groin, armpit, and skin fold. That explains why this infection is more common in obese and overweight people.
2. Folliculitis
Folliculitis is the inflammation of the hair follicles. The inflammation can occur on any part of your body that has hair. Folliculitis can be caused by a yeast, bacterial, or fungal infection. Damaged follicles from poor shaving and wearing ill-fitting clothes can also lead to folliculitis.
Mild folliculitis requires no treatment as it often clear on its own within a week or two. A warm compress and cleaning the affected area with medicated shampoo can help the inflammations at home.
3. Fungal infection- Jock itch
Jock itch a fungal infection of the groin area is also a possible cause of an itchy crotch. Also known as Tinea Cruris, this is a fungal infection that affects the skin on your genitals, buttocks, and inner thigh.
Jock itch is known to cause itchy and a red rash on moist parts of the body. Though the condition can be uncomfortable to have, it is not that serious. Keeping your groin area clean and dry can help prevent the infection. Over the counter, topical antifungals can help treat jock itch at home.
4. Eczema
Eczema, also called atopic dermatitis, is a skin condition in which patches of skin become rough and inflamed.
Eczema is characterized by itchy, rough, dry, and inflamed skin. It is common in children but can affect even the old people. The condition is not contagious and is said to become less severe with age. Other symptoms of this condition will include red skin patches, small raised bumps, and intense itching.
5. Intertrigo
This is an inflammatory skin rash caused by rubbing of one area of skin. It refers to a fungal viral or bacterial infection that results from such inflammation. This condition will often develop from the chafing of warm, moist skin.
It commonly occurs on the genitals, inner thighs, armpit and under the breast.
6. Contact dermatitis
Contact dermatitis is a type of inflammatory skin condition that results from either exposure to allergens or irritants. It is known to cause dry, scaly skin, oozing blisters, skin burns, and extreme itching, among other unpleasant symptoms.
Avoiding the irritant is the best way to prevent this itchy rash. Treatment will involve over the counter anti-itching ointment or apply petroleum jelly to soothe the itch.
7. Pubic lice
Pubic lice, also called crabs, can cause intense itching in your genital region. Pubic lice are mostly transmitted during sexual activity. You have acquired them from contaminated sheets, blankets to towels.
You can kill these lice with over the counter lotion and shampoo. If that fails to happen, you may need to have your health care provider prescribe a stronger treatment option.
Itchy groin area female
Itchy crotch in females can also be severe. As said, in such cases, it can be a sign of an underlying condition. Early diagnosis may help identify the causes. With proper treatment, you can be able to prevent the spread of the itchy to other parts of the body and avoid complications.
Just like in males, females too can experience itchy groin area. For some women, the itch can be an occasional irritation that improves with time. In some cases, however, the itch might persist, making it very uncomfortable and embarrassing to walk in public.
An itchy groin in females can be particularly distressing than that occurring in any other part of the body. Most of the cause of itchy and irritating skin in males can also result in the itchy groin in females.
An itchy groin can be mild or severe. Mild itching is caused by simple environmental irritants and can clear on its own without treatment. Severe itching, on the other hand, can be a sign of an underlying medical condition or an infection which requires urgent and proper medical attention.
Causes of the mild itchy groin will include the following:
1. Poor hygiene
Poor hygiene, which leads to the accumulation of sweat, dead skin cells, bacteria, urine, or fecal matter, can cause itching, skin infection, or development of painful skin rash.
To prevent this, make sure you bathe daily, properly wipe your anus, and change your inner clothes regularly.
2. Emotional stress
When you are emotionally stressed or nervous, your nervous system is said to be on alert. It, therefore, becomes very easy to detect small sensations that can be amplified into unpleasant itching and irritation.
3. Wearing tight clothes
Irritation from wearing tight clothes can also be the cause of chafing and itching. This kind of irritation can also lead to folliculitis, which causes the skin to become even more painful.
4. Allergies
Itching can also be a symptom of an allergic reaction. Contact dermatitis and atopic dermatitis, which are ways in which your body reacts to the foreign substance causing a painful, itchy rash, is an example of skin allergies.
5. Menopause
Menopause is a period in a woman’s life when she ceases to menstruate or have her periods. It typically occurs between the ages of 45 and 50. During this period, a female is likely to experience itching around the groin and the vagina.
All this is caused by a fluctuation in the levels of your hormones. A drop of estrogen can thin the mucosal lining in the vagina. This is normal and can easily be treated with a vaginal estrogen cream or oral pills.
6. Yeast infection
Vaginal yeast infection caused by a yeast called Candida Albicans is a common cause of itching in women. This condition can be triggered by the overgrowth of yeast caused by high estrogen levels, especially during pregnancy.
In some women, the overgrowth can be caused by taking antibiotics. Yeast infection can cause itching, soreness, pain, and burning sensation in the groin. When diagnosed at an early stage, a yeast infection can be treated with oral and topical antifungals.
7. Bacterial vaginosis
BV is a disease of the vagina caused by the overgrowth of bacteria. This condition is characterized by abnormal vaginal discharge, vaginal itching, pain when urinating, and white or green vaginal discharge.
For pregnant women, urgent treatment is required. When untreated, patients risk having premature delivery low birth weight. Oral and topical antibiotic ointments can be used to treat this condition.
Itchy crotch during pregnancy
Vaginal infection during pregnancy is likely to be the cause of the itchy crotch. The surge in hormones during pregnancy makes a woman more susceptible to picking up different kinds of vaginal infection.
The vaginal infection causing the itching will, in most cases, be accompanied by other symptoms such as:
- Pain when urinating
- Painful inflammation around the vagina
- Smelly vaginal discharge.
Urgent treatment is required. If that is not done, then you risk having a premature delivery.
Itchy crotch after sex
Itchy crotch after sex can most likely be a sign of trichomoniasis. This is a sexually transmitted infection caused by a parasite. In women, this condition is known to cause symptoms such as smelly vaginal discharge, genital itching, and pain when urinating. No symptoms are seen in most of the men with this condition.
Once diagnosed with this infection, both partners would be treated to prevent reinfection. One can reduce the chances of picking up this infection by properly using a condom every time you have sex.
Related symptoms of itchy crotch
Regardless of what is causing the itching, the itchy groin is likely to show the following symptoms:
- The itch may start to spread to other parts of the body
- Redness around the groin, penile shaft, scrotum and on inner thighs
- Irritation and a feeling of burning sensation
- The skin can become dry, flaky, cracked and bleed
How to treat itchy crotch
Treatment for itchy crotch will often vary from one person to the other depending on what the undying cause of the itch is. In most cases, simple self-care methods are all you need to soothe and relieve the symptoms. For severe symptoms, you might want to consult your dermatologist as soon as possible.
- Oral or topical antibiotics or antifungals are used in case of bacterial and fungal infection, respectively.
- You will need to identify and avoid the cause of the itching.
- Calamine lotion and other topical creams might help ease the itching. Make sure to use creams or gel contain less than 1% alcohol.
- Apply a high-quality moisturizing cream. This will help your skin stay hydrated
- Over the counter, anti-itching creams can also help relieve itchy groin.
- When the itching is accompanied by inflammation of the skin, steroid creams and gel can be used to relieve the inflammation.
Home remedies for an itchy crotch
A mild case of itching can be handled and managed at home with simple remedies. There are some effective home remedies you can use to relieve the itching, get rid of soreness, and soothe the inflammation accompanying the itchy crotch.
Here are some effective home remedies you can use for an itchy crotch:
Apple cider vinegar
Apple cider is a great remedy that can help treat itching, especially if caused by a fungal infection such as jock itch. Applying diluted apple cider vinegar around the crotch on the inner thigh or other parts of the skin can be an easy way to relieve itching and skin inflammation.
- Add two tablespoons of apple cider vinegar in a bowl of warm water
- Gently wash the affected area with this solution and allow it time to dry
- You will need to do this twice or thrice to completely get rid of the itching
Listerine
You can also use the anti-fungal, anti-itching, and antibacterial properties of Listerine to get rid of itching on your crotch.
- Using a clean cotton ball, gently apply the amber Listerine mouthwash on the affected skin.
- Leave it on for some minutes to get rid of itching, soreness, and painful skin inflammation.
Rub a fresh onion or garlic
Garlic and onion are said to contain great anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, and antibiotic properties. Rubbing a fresh onion on an itchy crotch can help relieve the itching, reduce the redness, and treat the fungal infection that might be irritating.
The other alternative is:
- Prepare a paste of onion by grinding some fresh onion
- Apply the paste on the affected area and leave it on for some minutes
- Rinse the paste off with lukewarm water
Honey
Applying raw honey can be a great way to relieve the itching. Honey is said to contain strong anti-itching and anti-fungal properties that can help soothe the itching treat bacterial infection. Manuka honey is a great anti-fungal remedy that can help treat jock itch and other fungal infection around the groin.
- Gently clean your crotch with lukewarm water and pat it dry with a clean towel
- Apply a layer of Manuka honey over the affected area and leave it on for some minutes.
- Rinse the honey off and dry the area
- You will need to do this more than once for effective results
How to prevent itchy crotch
Most of the causes that might lead to an itchy groin area can be prevented. Preventing an itchy crotch involves maintaining a high standard of hygiene, especially down there.
Here is what you can do to prevent your groin from chafing, irritation, and becoming itchy.
- Always wash your groin with warm water and mild soap. Keeping this area clean and dry helps avoid bacterial and fungal infections. This is the best way to ensure your groin does not become itchy.
- Avoid chemical ingredients and skincare products that your skin might be allergic to. Before you start using a new product, carefully find out what ingredients it contains, also you can try it on a small portion of your skin first before using it.
- Adopt a proper shaving method. This involves using few strokes when shaving, using shaving creams, and changing your razor as often as possible. Also, you need to shave in the direction your hair grows and shave when your skin is wet to prevent folliculitis.
- Avoid wearing irritating clothes that chafe your skin making t become even itchier
- Cutting weight and applying a lubricant between thighs can help prevent chaffing.
- The other will include maintaining a proper skincare routine and sticking to a balanced diet that helps nourish your skin making it more equipped to handle infections.
- Avoid scented pads, creams or toilet paper
- Urgent and proper medical treatment is required for itchy crotch that lasts for more than a week
References:
- What is jock itch: http://www.healthline.com/health/jock-itch#what-is-it1
- 7 causes of itchy crotch: http://www.menshealth.com/health/itchy-crotch
- Itching between groin and thighs causes: http://www.healthhype.com/itching-between-groin-and-thigh-causes-and-pictures.html
- Reasons your vagina itches: http://www.health.com/mind-body/7-sneaky-reasons-your-vagina-itches
- How to get rid of itchy crotch: http://www.top10homeremedies.com/how-to/how-to-get-rid-of-jock-itch.html
