Your Guide to Genital Skin Conditions

The genitals are male or female reproductive organs. Since the reproductive organs are in the pelvis, "genital" refers to the internal reproductive organs in the pelvis and the skin at the bottom of the pelvis around the vagina and anus in women and around the penis, scrotum, and anus in men.

Skin Conditions Which May Occur Anywhere, Including the Genitals

1)Some skin conditions occur anywhere on the body and may just happen to occur on the genitals. Conditions such as this include psoriasis, and melanoma, those most serious type of skin cancer.

Other conditions can occur in different regions of the body but commonly occur in the genitals. These include conditions such as hidradenitis suppurativa (boils which occur in the groin and armpits) and intertrigo a rash which usually occurs in skin folds such as in the genital region, under the breasts, and in the armpits. Yet other skin conditions occur only on the genitalia, such as balanitis.

Causes of Genital Rashes =

Skin issues related to the genitals can be itchy, painful and embarrassing, but they are actually quite common. There are a number of causes for a genital rash that range from sexually transmitted diseases to allergic reactions, to infections, to autoimmune disorders. The most common culprits of genital rashes include:

Fungal infections: Fungal infections have a tendency to grow in warm, moist environments, such as the genitalia and include:

• 1)Jock itch: Jock itch is a fungal infection which is similar to athletes foot. Whereas athletes foot is caused by the fungus Trichophyton rubrum, jock itch is caused by Candida albicans, the same fungus which causes fungal yeast infections. Jock itch is diagnosed in the same way as vaginal yeast infections, through a KOH test.
• 2)Vaginal yeast infection: Yeast infections are caused by a yeast-like fungus called Candida albicans. It often causes a thick, cottage-cheese-like discharge, and is accompanied by severe (and often embarrassing) itching. It sometimes occurs due to the overgrowth of yeast which occurs with antibiotic use and is a very common occurrence in women who are treated with antibiotics. It may also be related to wearing clothing which traps heat and moisture in the genital region. Vaginal yeast infections commonly occur in healthy women but are more likely to occur in women with diabetes, women who are pregnant, and women who are overweight.

• 3)Diaper rash: Diaper rashes may be caused by irritation, yeast infections, or less common causes such as zinc deficiency or hereditary disorders.

Viral infections: Viruses such as HPV 16 and HPV 18 (the cause of most genital warts) can also cause skin rashes.

• 1)Molluscum contagiousm: Molluscum contagiosum is a condition which appears with multiple small warty like growths. It is caused by a poxvirus, but is different than the chickenpox in important ways (it doesn't stick around the body after an infection.) It can be transmitted as a sexually transmitted disease but is often found in children as well.
• 2)Human papillomavirus (HPV) - There are over 100 different strains of the HPV virus. Two strains, HPV 16 and HPV 18 are responsible for around 90 percent of genital warts. The virus is spread by skin to skin contact, often sexually. The newer HPV immunizations may provide immunity.

Common Genital Skin Issues Among Women=

Some of the more common genital skin issues in women include:

• Contact dermatitis is a very common skin condition. There are several triggers that cause contact dermatitis, including a dry climate, fragrances in soaps and other body care products, laundry detergent and fabric softener residue, elastic and latex.
• Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a genital wart infection caused by the HPV particle that compromises the skin's protective barrier. Genital warts are caused by a different strain of HPV than those which cause cervical cancer, but it's common for people to contract infections with more than one form of HPV.
• Lichen planus is a skin disorder that causes increased production of vaginal discharge and white blood cells. When a rash is present, it often appears as purplish appearing lumps.
• Lichen sclerosus is a condition characterized by persistent vaginal itching, making the patient more prone to yeast infection and squamous vulvar cancer.
• Vaginal yeast infections often occur in conjunction with chronic vulvar eczema. Yeast organisms release proteins that cause an allergic reaction and creates an environment that incubates the infection.

Common Genital Skin Issues Among Men

Common genital skin issues in men include:

• Balanitis is inflammation that affects the head of the penis and/or foreskin. It is most common in uncircumcised men and affects roughly one in ten uncircumcised men. The term balanitis is a symptom rather than the name of a specific disease, as balanitis can be caused by many conditions including contact or allergic dermatitis, poor hygiene, yeast infections, or STD's including gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis. Symptoms include local redness, with an orange or yellow appearance common, pain with urination, and a foul-smelling discharge. Complications can range from scarring to an increased risk of penile cancer.
• Contact dermatitis is caused by external triggers like fragrances in body care products, synthetic fabric, laundry detergent and latex products like condoms.
• Intertrigo is a yeast infection caused by the presence of yeast organisms that thrive in warm, moist environments, including the genital region. It usually occurs in skin folds, such as the armpits, genitals, under the breasts, and in fat folds.