Suggest Remedy For Redness And Blisters In The Scrotal Area

Posted on Thu, 24 Sep 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 24 Sep 2015 Answered on

Thu, 15 Oct 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : I live in Thailand and went swimming at a pool at a small zoo. I hired swimming shorts and spent about 4 hours wearing the shorts. i didn't shower after swimming and went home. I showered the next day. In the afternoon I noticed a slight redness on my scrotum. the next day small blisters appeared on my scrotum and two spots on my leg near my scrotum. I went to see a doctor who said I had an infection and prescribed me: clindamycin and dicloxacillin. I have been taking them for two days. My blisters have dried up a little but the spot on my leg which is about 10mm in size and is red with a white center like an acne spot, seems to be spreadng with about 7 or 8 small red spots appearing. I am very concerned it could spread further. What should I do?

Answered by Dr. Nishad BN (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
It looks like scabies. So it should be ruled out.

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Thank you for asking HCM.

I have gone through your query and pictures. Your problem can be scabies. It looks like that. So it should be ruled out. A consultation with a dermatologist will be helpful for this.

Do you have any burning sensation or severe itching or pain ?
Do you notice any small burrows in the spots?

Treatment usually given for scabies is applying permethrin and leave it for 8 to 14 hours and wash. Oral drugs like ivermectin is given also. Antihistamines can be taken if itching is there.

Hope this may help you. Let me know if anything not clear.
Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Nishad BN (18 hours later)

Thank you for your response.
I have a little burning sensation around the spots but no pain or itching.

I have been to a bigger hospital in the city and he suggests I probably have the zoster virus (shingles) Is this similar to scabies as you diagnosed? Is it serious?
He has prescribed me anti-viral tablets called Acyclovir to take for 5 days along with some cream. How long should I expect to see some improvement.
Since i last spoke the number of spots has increased over a wider area.

The spots have no burrows. They look like acne spots with a white head.

Answered by Dr. Nishad BN (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
If burning sensation and no burrows , herpes most likely.

Detailed Answer:
Welcome again.

Thank you for your follow up query.

If you having burning sensation and no burrows present then it is most likely genital herpes. Antiviral therapy with acyclovir is helpful for this. You can also use acyclovir cream for local application. Washing with ice water will be soothing.

Herpes is like the cold sores which most people get in mouth. This will come when the body immunity become low. It will disappear in 2 or 3 weeks also. There is nothing to worry. But there is no drugs to completely remove the virus out of system. You can get another attack of rash when your immunity become low. That is the main problem.

Hope this may help you. Let me know if anything not clear.
Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar