Genital‚ inguinal sites are prone to infections

DR DWARIKA P SHRESTHA

I am 21 with sound health. I don’t have any medical problem except skin problem. It has affected my career. These days my groin area is dry and it itches and blood comes out whenever I scratch. It has been five months that I’ve been suffering from it. I thought it was due to cold as it started since the cold season. The area around it is so dry that scales come out when I rub.

I also have another problem. I have white patches on my body, mostly on chest and shoulders and at the back of my neck. Is it dubi? I am really tensed by these problems and it has affected my career as in my profession I need to show off body parts. Please help me how I can treat the problem. Also the joints of

my body is black. So how can I lighten these? Please help me.

— Tensed Boy

The skin problems that you have are common, so you needn’t be so worried for it to affect your career. Let us look at the problems one by one.

The first problem seems to be some type of eczema (dadd) on the scrotum or near the scrotum. Genital and the inguinal sites are areas subjected to heat, perspiration and constant friction. And these are the areas more difficult to wash, and predispose more frequently to infections.

The type of eczema in your case is known as ICD (irritant contact dermatitis). It is normally very itchy, and scratching increases the rash. When the rash becomes thick,

scales come out. Persistent scratching makes small escoriations (wounds), which sometimes may bleed. Here are some suggestions for you to follow:

• Wash the genital and inguinal areas regularly, morning and evening, with water.

• Keep these areas dry. For this, you can apply an antifungal powder in the groin in the morning.

• To do away with the rash you will have to use a mild steroid cream, under dermatological consultation.

The second problem is the most common fungal infection called pityriasis versicolor or khairo dubi in Nepali. It is caused by the fungus Malassezia furfur. It is present as small whitish spots on the upper trunk and neck. And again the cause is heat and perspiration. Here are some tips :

• Wash body regularly with water, particularly in summer. It is very important to rinse your body in the evening to wash away the sweat.

• Do not use soap until you have the fungus. Soap makes the skin alkaline, which favours fungal infection. For bathing use an antifungal shampoo.

• The treatment consists in using antifungal creams, always after dermatological consultation.

• It takes around three months for the white spots to go away.

For the third problem, do not be tensed. Joints normally are a little darker. If they are rough and dry, use a

moisturiser.

The doctors on THT Medical Board are

• Dr Sanduk Ruit

Medical Director, Tilganga Eye Hospital

• Dr Bhagwan Koirala

Cardiac Surgeon,TUTH

• Prof Upendra Devkota

Chief of Neurosurgery, National

Institute of Neurological and

Allied Sciences

• Dr Kundu Yangzom

Chief of OBGYN Services,

Patan Hospital

• Dr Kishore Pandey

Pediatrician, CIWEC

• Dr Sameer Aryal

Dentist, Advanced Dental Care

• Dr Dwarika P Shrestha

Professor, Teaching Hospital and

Consultant, Dermato-Venereologist, B&B Hospital

• Dr Ranjeet Baral

Consultant Cardiologist-cum-physician at Shahid Gangalal National Heart

Centre and NORVIC Hospital