How to Treat Inguinal Dermatitis

Use antifungal cream for mild fungal infections. The best options include Lamisil, Lotrimin Ultra, and/or Naftin. These drugs are more expensive but work faster. You should choose Lotrimin Ultra containing Butenafine Hydrochloride instead of regular Lotrimin AF which contains only clotrimazpe. Studies have proven that Butenafine is faster-acting and more effective than clotrimazpe. Moreover, you can buy the generic clotrimazpe for just over 20,000 VND a tube, while the regular Lotrimin AF (containing clotrimazpe) retails for 10 times more expensive.

• Try asking your doctor to prescribe an antifungal cream. Thus, the cost of drugs can be reduced slightly.
• You can also buy cheaper antifungal creams that contain clotrimazpe or miconazpe. These products will take a little longer to work, but they are also very effective in treating inguinal fungus. ^[1]
• Even if the symptoms are gone, you still need to apply the cream to the groin area for the time indicated on the label. Just like taking antibiotics, you need to follow the correct course of treatment when using antifungal creams.
• Treat athlete’s foot concurrently if you also have a fungal foot infection. This will reduce your risk of recurrence. ^[2]

Keep skin clean and dry. You need to dry thoroughly after bathing, because the fungus thrives in warm and humid environments. When possible, you should avoid wearing underwear or exposing the infected skin to the air. When that’s not possible, you should at least wear shorts instead of triangle panties.

Avoid wearing any clothing that causes the groin area to rub or irritate. Do not wear tight underwear and tight pants.

Try to refrain from scratching. The skin can become irritated and torn from scratching, leading to the risk of infection.

• Cut your nails short if you can’t stop scratching. Wear gloves before going to bed at night.
• Take a cool bath to relieve itching. Sprinkle in your bath water with raw oatmeal, baking soda, or colloidal oatmeal (Aveeno is a good brand). Just remember to dry thoroughly when you get out of the bath. ^[3]

Use talcum powder containing Bond brand drug. This talcum powder is used to soothe and relieve symptoms, and it also contains baking powder that has a drying effect. You can buy Bond talcum powder without a prescription at drugstores for quite cheap.

Talk to your doctor. You need to talk to your doctor if the red, scaly area doesn’t go away within 2 weeks, if the condition worsens, or if you notice the area turns yellow and contains pus. Your doctor may recommend several options:

• Prescription creams: Your doctor may prescribe prescription strength antifungal creams, including econazpe and oxiconazpe.
• Antibiotics: If the fungal skin becomes infected, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics to treat the infection.
• Oral antifungals: Sporanox, Diflucan, or Lamisil are all medications your doctor can prescribe for you. These drugs are usually used from one month to one year. You may experience gastrointestinal problems or liver dysfunction. If you’re taking antacids or warfarin, you probably shouldn’t take them. Another option is Grifulvin V, which, although slower acting, is good for people who are allergic to other antifungal medications or who have medical conditions and should not take other medications. ^[4]