Fungus in the groin in men, women, children: photos and causes

Causes of the disease

Dermatomycosis inguinal occurs due to the entry of the fungus Epidermophyton into the human body (hence the name “athlete’s foot”). Other pathologies associated with fungal infections are more correctly called dermatomycosis. The infection poses the greatest danger to men, which is explained by the characteristics of their lifestyle. Create favorable conditions for the spread of fungus (warm and humid environment):

severe physical activity accompanied by active sweating;
visiting saunas/baths;
regular exercise.

Under suitable conditions, the fungus remains viable for a long time. If personal hygiene is not observed properly, or someone else’s clothes or shoes, rugs or mats are used in the gym, bacteria easily penetrate steamed human skin. In addition, you can become infected with epidermophytosis even in a hospital through bedding or shared beds, or in hotels, using provided towels, slippers, and other things.

Female inguinal fungus is a relatively rare phenomenon, which, as a rule, is accompanied by a mixed infection. For example, dermatomycosis develops simultaneously with candidiasis (the causative agent is yeast). In addition, among women, inguinal mycosis in almost 100% of cases causes inflammation of the skin, which is absolutely unusual for men.

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Manifestation of fungus

The fungus can be transmitted to a healthy person through unprotected sex, swimming in a pool, ponds, violating hygiene rules, sharing towels with an infected person, etc.

The main reason for the development of a fungal infection: excessive sweating, especially in the groin area.

You should be alert to the following symptoms:

Increasing itching of the pubic area in men.
The appearance of a red rash on the genitals.
The skin on the pubic area peels and cracks appear.
The area that is not affected becomes drier and darker.

The external manifestation of inguinal fungus can be seen in the photo below:

The groin area is the best environment for the development of the disease. This is due to the fact that in the groin area the temperature is slightly higher, and with severe sweating, it is the groin area that becomes wet and sweats.

The most susceptible to this disease are men suffering from obesity, diabetes, metabolic disorders, diseases of the immune system, excessive sweating, diseases of the cardiovascular system, as well as those whose activities involve constant sitting.

Main signs and symptoms

At the initial stage of manifestation of epidermophytosis, the groin area is affected. As the fungus develops, it spreads to the inner thigh, abdomen (up to the chest). Sometimes epidermophytosis spreads to almost the entire body of the patient, even affecting the scalp. A typical fungus in the groin localization is characterized by exclusively polymorphic spots, and irritation (inflammation) and diaper rash can occur with the simultaneous manifestation of secondary pathogenic flora, for example, candida or pyococci. The following symptoms are common to men and women:

the spots are slightly raised above the skin level (look like lumps);
the spots gradually darken (from pink to brown);
over time they merge into one continuous pattern;
along the edges of the spots there are rashes of different sizes and shapes (vesicles, scales, pimples, pustules);
the rash is very itchy, the fungal affected areas often begin to burn;
healing is characterized by the transformation of the color of the spots into a less bright color and the beginning of peeling with the appearance of cracks on dry skin.

In men

Primary infection with inguinal fungus in men usually occurs in the scrotum area. Moreover, at first it is not clearly expressed, which is why it remains unnoticed for a long time. Later, pathogenic bacteria spread to the genital area and thighs. However, fungus on the penis is a rare occurrence. Itching in the groin in men is the first symptom of athlete's foot. For representatives of the stronger sex, the simultaneous manifestation of pathology around the genitals and on the feet is typical. Redness in the groin in men, characteristic of athlete's foot, is more common:

in the area of the inguinal folds;
in the perineal area;
near the anus.

Among women

Often the symptoms of groin fungus are confused with dermatitis, so it is worth knowing how to distinguish one disease from another. Athlete's foot in women is most often localized between the buttocks, at the inguinal folds, and below the mammary glands. The characteristic primary symptom of the fungus is severe itching of the genitals, which gradually becomes almost unbearable. The rash that appears on the genitals has a red or brown tone, and soon it fills with liquid. Areas of the body infected with fungus begin to peel and turn red.

Reasons for the development of fungus

The fungus, which affects human skin, can be found in many public places; it is often found in bathhouses, public showers, swimming pools and sometimes in hospitals. You can become infected with a fungal infection by:

• Failure to comply with personal intimate hygiene standards; • Frequent visits to baths, swimming pools and similar establishments; • Using other people's towels and other personal hygiene items; • Close contact with a sick person.

Also of great importance in the development of fungus in the groin is increased sweating and excess body weight, which only contribute to the rapid addition of a fungal infection. If you are wondering whether fungus in the groin is transmitted to women from men, then the answer will be ambiguous, since the susceptibility of the female body to fungal skin infections is much lower due to the characteristics of the hormonal and immune systems. Statistics also show that women take better care of their own body care and, in rare cases, allow the use of other people's personal hygiene items. In some cases, the fungus can still be transmitted to women.

Diagnostic methods

If symptoms similar to those described above occur, you should consult a doctor. Dermatophytosis is the responsibility of a dermatologist, but a urologist (for men) or a gynecologist (for women) can also help you. A mycological test will be prescribed, in which a small piece of skin will be taken from you for laboratory testing. The type of fungus that stimulated the pathological process is determined. The test collection procedure is painless, and the results in modern clinics can be collected within a few minutes.

How and what to treat fungus in the groin

To get rid of groin fungus, you need to use medications, including antihistamine tablets, anti-itch creams, and antifungal ointments. Treatment of fungus with folk remedies also shows good results, but alternative medicine should not be a substitute for full-fledged treatment of the disease. The average course of treatment for inguinal athlete's foot lasts 1.5-2 months, and should be completed completely to prevent relapse.

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Drug treatment

Inguinal fungus is treated primarily with anti-inflammatory drugs. Serious inflammatory processes on the skin require the additional use of antifungal ointments, creams that contain soda and glucocorticoid components. Drugs are prescribed according to the severity of athlete's foot, the type of fungus that caused the disease and the severity of the symptoms. As a rule, the specialist prescribes:

Antifungal ointments

For the treatment of inguinal mycosis, ointments and creams based on miconazole, clotrimazole, and terbinafine are used. If there are no ulcers or ulcers on the patient’s skin, the affected areas of the skin are treated with iodine for several days. Begin a course of treatment with antifungal ointment. Before using it, the groin area is washed with soap and water and wiped with a towel, otherwise the effect may be reduced. To avoid the fungus getting used to the drug, the products are changed every 1.5-2 weeks. Common antifungal ointments for the intimate area:

"Miconazole";
"Triderm";
"Clotrimazole";
salicylic ointment.

Antihistamines

In the acute phase of the fungus, anti-allergenic medications are prescribed. They are divided into several types: sedative, non-sedative, metabolites. For the treatment of inguinal mycosis, the first ones are prescribed. They effectively relieve skin itching and reduce the risk of complications. With properly selected therapy, patients with fungus are quickly cured. As a rule, the doctor prescribes for inguinal epidermophytosis:

"Tavegil";
"Suprastin";
"Fenkarol".

Compresses and lotions

A common method of treating fungal infections is the use of various compresses, lotions, and rubs. To relieve itching and quickly heal wounds, damaged areas of the body are lubricated with a 2% iodine solution over the course of a week. In addition, the groin area affected by the fungus can be lubricated with gikoseptil, mycozolon, nitrofungin. After this treatment, a sulfur/tar-based ointment is applied to the skin.

Effective folk remedies

Use disinfecting infusions, compresses, ointments, for example:

Birch infusion. To treat a fungus that affects the groin area of men and women, 10-15 birch leaves are poured into 100 ml of vodka and infused for 5 days. The resulting product is applied to the skin affected by the rash 2 times a day until complete recovery.
Herbal compress. Oak bark, yarrow stems and flax seed in a ratio of 2:2:1 are mixed in a container, poured with a liter of hot water and left to infuse for half an hour. Afterwards, the liquid is used as a compress on the skin affected by the fungus (before bedtime, every day for 2 weeks). To increase effectiveness, the product should be combined with the use of zinc ointment.
Herbal decoction for inguinal athlete's foot. Mix 50 g of St. John's wort, chamomile, yarrow, eucalyptus. Pour the mixture into 400 ml of boiling water, let it brew for 30-40 minutes and take a glass three times a day. The course of treatment for inguinal mycosis lasts at least 3 weeks.
Compress with celandine. Grind the freshly harvested herb to a mushy consistency, place it on a bandage and apply to the skin affected by the fungus for half an hour. Repeat daily for 10 days.
Garlic ointment. Black radish seeds and wild garlic must be crushed, mixed and lubricated with the resulting gruel on the affected areas of the skin with epidermophytosis. Duration of treatment – 8 days.

Folk remedies

Traditional medicine knows many remedies for fungus in the groin of men. It is better to combine them with ointments and tablets - this way the therapeutic effect will manifest itself faster.
In a glass of warm water, dissolve a tablespoon of soda, the same amount of salt and 15 drops of iodine solution. Soak a cotton pad in the solution and wipe the skin in the affected area. This product is used only on the skin of the body, but not on the genitals.
If the skin in the groin is affected, you can use lemon juice. It kills fungus and also reduces sweating. The juice is applied to the skin with a cotton pad twice a day. If there are wounds and ulcers in the affected area, it is better not to use the method, as a strong burning sensation may occur.
Another effective remedy is a decoction of calamus root. This plant has an antifungal effect. To prepare the medicine, you need to chop the dried root with a knife. Then two large spoons of the product are boiled in 500 ml of water for 20 minutes. After cooling, the medicine is filtered and used to treat the skin. A compress is moistened in the product and applied to the affected area for 5 minutes.
If the genitals are affected, you can use a weak solution of potassium permanganate. You need to place your penis in this product for 10 minutes.
You can also make baths with soda - 1 small spoon of soda per several liters of water. The penis is also lowered into the bath for 10 minutes.

Disease prevention

Keep your genitals dry and perform regular hygiene procedures (if you often sweat, try to shower 1-2 times a day).
To avoid contracting groin mycosis, do not let others use your belongings and do not borrow other people's personal care products.
Change your underwear daily, give preference to loose styles made from natural materials.
To protect yourself from athlete's foot, wear flip-flops in public places, use only your own towel, and try not to touch handrails or other objects where fungi live.
If someone in your home environment is infected with groin mycosis, clean more often with antiseptic agents.

Symptoms of inguinal fungus in a child

The area between the legs is a sensitive place for a child; when a fungal infection occurs, itching appears, which the child begins to scratch, this causes the skin to become even more irritated, diaper rash appears, becomes covered with cracks, and peels off. Itching can occur for a number of reasons.

Primarily due to wearing tight clothes or underwear, when intense friction occurs when moving. The second cause of itching is a fungal disease. In this case, a burning sensation, rash and discharge appear. If you have at least one symptom, you should immediately consult a doctor.

Basically, this infection is observed with reduced immunity, with a change in environment, with regular stress and neuroses, etc.

Thrush is common in newborns, which can be transmitted from a mother with Candida fungus during childbirth, through shared nipples, diapers, and through contact with a sick child.

Symptoms of thrush:

Swelling of the external genitalia;
Itching and burning;
Foul-smelling white coating on the genitals;
Curd-like discharge from the genitals;
Minor rash.

Also accompanying may be: increased body temperature and loss of appetite.

Treatment of thrush in children

Parents should remember that treatment should only be carried out under the supervision of a pediatrician. If the damage to the skin is minor, then it will be enough to treat them, for example, with Miramistin, then apply ointments that contain cortisone, nystatin and imidazole derivatives. But brilliant green, sodium tetraborate and Fluconazole should not be used so as not to dry out the baby’s delicate skin.

You can also turn to traditional medicine. For example, prepare a soda solution at the rate of: 1 tsp. baking soda per 1 glass of water, then treat the skin with the resulting solution at least three times a day. Kalanchoe compress helps a lot.

It’s simple to prepare; all you need to do is squeeze a little juice of this plant onto clean gauze, and then apply it to the affected area at least 2-3 times a day for 15 minutes. To treat the affected area and the area between the buttocks, you should prepare an infusion of chamomile (1 teaspoon of dried flowers per 1 cup of boiling water).

You can turn to folk remedies only if the child is allergic to medications and if his age is less than 6 months.

Conclusion

To prevent thrush, it is necessary to increase the child’s immunity and use only clean bottles, nipples, etc. Older children are taught to maintain daily hygiene.

Thus, it should be concluded that this disease, despite its unpleasant symptoms, can be quickly and efficiently cured if you consult a doctor in a timely manner and take medications in accordance with the attached instructions.