Is an itchy scrotum a sign of an STD?

Question

Hi doctor,

I have scrotum itch, which has been persistent over the years (less than five years) with no other symptoms. There are no visible blisters or warts. It itches throughout the day. I see a slight difference in skin appearance, i.e., whitish patch when I use apple cider vinegar to clean the area as a home remedy for possible skin infection. But the white patch fades off and is not visibly different after the apple cider vinegar fades off. Should I be concerned about STD?

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

This is probably lichen simplex chronicus, i.e., skin thickening, due to the habit of frequent rubbing. But please add a photo of the affected area to make sure of the diagnosis.

Answer 2

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Thank you for these accurate photos (attachment removed to protect patient identity). As I expected, it is a lichen simplex chronicus. The scrotum is a favorite site of lichen simplex chronicus. Please stop scratching, squeezing, or rubbing the skin of your scrotum. You might note that this practice usually increases the sensation of itching, which causes more scratching and rubbing, and so on. So you have to cut this sequence once and forever. The color will return to normal very soon. I advise the following treatment course. Take a Desloratadine tablet in the morning for two weeks and a Cetirizine tablet once at bedtime for two weeks. Any emollient several times daily for the same period and then after showering for another couple of months.