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Male genital eczema factsheet

With any genital condition it is important that you have the correct diagnosis made by your
doctor so that any possible underlying conditions can be identified and treated. Please do not
feel embarrassed about asking for a proper examination to be carried out.

There are different types of eczema that can affect the genital area, including atopic eczema,
seborrhoeic dermatitis, allergic contact dermatitis and irritant contact dermatitis. For more
information on these different types of eczema, please visit the National Eczema Society website
or contact our Helpline.

Genital eczema frequently affects the penis, scrotum, Treatment

groin, the skin around the opening of the anus and the If you experience genital irritation, it is better to seek
skin between the cheeks of the buttocks (perianal medical help than to self-medicate, since some over-the-
eczema). Do bear in mind that there are other causes of counter treatments contain potentially allergenic and
inflamed, sore skin, such as fungal and yeast infections irritant ingredients. Your doctor will usually prescribe
(thrush), and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), which emollients and topical steroids (steroid creams and
can affect people with eczema and might need to be ointments) to treat genital and perianal eczema.
ruled out by your doctor. Your GP might refer you to Emollients can be applied to the genital area as often as
dermatology, particularly if allergic contact dermatitis is required. They should be reapplied after bathing and
suspected or diagnosis is uncertain. showering. Use emollient as a soap substitute and avoid

It is not always possible to discover the cause of genital all soap and cosmetic washes. It is also a good idea to
eczema, although it can sometimes be due to a contact wash with emollients after opening your bowels to

allergy. However, genital skin can be particularly prone to prevent infection when the skin is inflamed (is red or

irritation because of sweating, tight clothing, and friction darker than your usual skin tone, depending on skin
between skin surfaces. Soaps, bubble baths, shower colour) and sore.
gels, talcum powder, moist toilet tissue/wipes, Topical steroids are safe to use in the genital area as
aftershave, personal deodorants, haemorrhoid long as they are of the correct strength and are used
preparations, antiseptics such as Dettol, Savlon and TCP, appropriately. Genital skin absorbs topical steroids more
and similar products can also trigger eczema. Urine and readily than other parts of the body, and topical steroids
faeces are especially irritating to the skin, and should therefore be used carefully in this area. Topical
incontinence always makes any genital condition worse steroids are generally used once a day, or as prescribed,
and harder to treat. If you are incontinent of urine, faeces, and a 30g tube should normally last at least 3 months.
or both, discuss this with your doctor or nurse, who can It is also important to avoid prolonged or over-use of
refer you to specialist teams. Trying to manage the combination steroid preparations, in particular those
problem with wipes or pads may make the eczema containing certain antibiotics such as neomycin, which
worse. Please do not feel embarrassed about it. may cause allergic contact dermatitis. If combined topical

National Eczema Society Helpline: 0800 448 0818 Email: [email protected] www.eczema.org 1
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Male genital eczema factsheet

steroids and antibiotic creams are prescribed for Itching may also occur due to yeast infections and STIs,
infection, they should be used for a maximum of 14 days, which can cause intense itch and make genital eczema
after which time you should return to plain topical worse. If you have any different symptoms to those
steroids if the eczema is still flaring. associated with eczema, do ask a healthcare
professional for further advice.
Ointment-based topical treatments contain fewer
potential allergens than creams, so are especially If night-time itching is a problem, a sedating
suitable for sensitive areas. Since ointments are antihistamine may help you sleep.
greasy, they spread easily and are well-absorbed.
However, creams are easier to spread on hair-bearing Hygiene
skin. It is important to keep the genital area clean. However,
washing the area too much may encourage further
When using a topical steroid, leave a gap of 20-30 irritation, especially if abrasive sponges or flannels are
minutes between applying it and an emollient. This is to used. Uncircumcised men should pull back the foreskin in
avoid diluting the topical steroid or transferring it to areas
order to wash the head of the penis.
where it is not needed. It does not matter which is
applied first. Wash with warm water and an emollient soap substitute
or your usual leave-on emollient. Avoid soaps, antiseptic
Try to apply the topical steroid at the opposite time of day washes, moist tissue wipes, bubble baths, deodorants,
to when you usually have sex. perfumes, fragrances and any other products that could
irritate and dry out the skin. Also, avoid using shampoo in
Itching
the bath since it could inadvertently come into contact
Genital eczema can be intensely itchy, leading to
with the genital area and cause irritation. If you do need
scratching. Anti-itch preparations, including anti-itch
to shampoo your hair in the bath, apply your emollient to
emollients (Balneum Plus, E45 Itch or Dermacool), may be
the genital skin first and then rinse it off after you have
helpful in relieving severe itching and discomfort, but
rinsed your hair.
local anaesthetics should be avoided as they may cause
an allergic contact dermatitis. Ask the pharmacist if you Good hand hygiene is important when using emollients
are uncertain about a product’s ingredients. You can and topical steroids – always wash your hands before
keep your cream-based emollients in the fridge, as a and after applying treatments. If possible, use emollients
cold application can be more soothing. from a pump dispenser. If you are using cream or
ointment from a pot/tub, do not put your hands in and
Some people develop an allergy to nail varnish, so if your
out of the pot as there is a risk of infection – instead, use
partner wears it and you think this may be causing
a clean spoon or spatula to decant the amount you
problems for you, see if leaving it off makes a difference.
need to use from the pot.
If the itching persists, do not try to treat yourself – seek
If you wish to remove hair in the genital area, waxing and
medical advice. You may be offered a blood test if, by
shaving products may irritate the skin further. Using your
reference to your medical history, your healthcare
emollient instead of shaving cream may help.
professional thinks it necessary – for example, ferritin
(iron) levels might be checked as iron deficiency anaemia It is a good idea to check your testicles for lumps once a
can cause itching; or you may need further tests such as month after a warm bath or shower.
patch testing to exclude allergic contact dermatitis.

National Eczema Society Helpline: 0800 448 0818 Email: [email protected] www.eczema.org 2
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Male genital eczema factsheet

Clothing Sperm fluid (semen) can make irritant eczema worse;

Comfortable, loose-fitting clothing will help to lessen however, a true allergic reaction to sperm or sperm fluid,

irritation and friction. It is best to avoid tight trousers and which in its severest form can cause an anaphylactic

thongs. Underwear made from 100% cotton, bamboo or reaction, is exceptionally rare.

silk – or at least containing a high proportion of these

Barrier contraceptives
materials – should be more comfortable, as natural fibres
Most condoms, diaphragms and caps are made from
are less likely to irritate the skin. See National Eczema
latex rubber and generally do not cause problems for
Society's Clothing Stockist factsheet for underwear
people with eczema. However, some people have an
stockist suggestions.
allergy to latex or other rubber ingredients and they
Most people with eczema prefer to use a non-biological should use products made from material such as
laundry detergent to wash their clothes. Finding the most polyurethane or silicone.
suitable one is a case of trial and error. You may find that
Spermicides can also irritate the skin. If this is a problem
you need to wash at 60°C or higher for the non-biological
or concern, discuss it with your pharmacist, doctor, or
detergent to clean your clothing effectively and to remove
staff at your family planning clinic.
the grease from emollients. Always ensure that your
clothing is rinsed well. It is best to avoid fabric Emollients and topical steroids can affect the integrity of
conditioners because they contain fragrance and other condoms and diaphragms, so be aware that the
ingredients that bind to the clothing fibres to soften them; effectiveness of these contraceptive methods will be
these might cause irritation or an allergy. reduced if creams/ointments have been applied recently.

Piercing and tattoos Lubricants

Body piercing does not cause eczema, but problems can Personal lubricants (or lubes) are specialised lubricants
occur later on as a consequence. Nickel allergy is very that help to reduce friction, pain and discomfort during
common and the chance of this developing is greatly sexual activity. There are many types available and
increased if you have body piercing and use cheap individuals will have different preferences. Water-based
metal jewellery. Having a tattoo (particularly when black lubricants are water-soluble and are the type most
henna or dye is used) increases the risk of developing commonly used. They do tend to dry out during use, so
an allergic contact dermatitis to dyes, especially PPD you may need to reapply them or add water to reactivate
(p-Phenylenediamine). There is also a high risk of them. Silicone-based lubricants are usually formulated
pierced and tattooed areas becoming infected. with fewer than four ingredients and do not contain any
water. Silicone lubricants feel different to water-based
Sex ones and, since they are not absorbed by skin or mucus
Be careful not to use topical steroids shortly before membranes, last longer.
having sex (including oral sex) on an area that is likely to
transfer them onto your partner. They need to be Conclusion
absorbed into the skin first. Topical steroids only need to Genital eczema can be treated and controlled, but as
be applied once a day, so try to apply them at a different with all types of eczema it is often a long-term condition
time of day to the time you usually have sex. As long with no cure. It is important that you use the products
as you leave time for them to absorb, topical steroids prescribed by your doctor or dermatologist, and attend
should not cause any problems. appointments in order for the condition to be monitored
and treatments changed if necessary.

National Eczema Society Helpline: 0800 448 0818 Email: [email protected] www.eczema.org 3
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Male genital eczema factsheet

Useful organisations
Brook
(Services throughout the UK for young people under 25
for contraception, sexual and relationship advice)
www.brook.org.uk

FPA, the sexual health company

www.fpa.org.uk

Latex Allergy patient information sheet

(British Association of Dermatologists)
www.bad.org.uk/for-the-public/patient-information-leaflets

DISCLAIMER
Our publications contain information and general advice about eczema. They are written and reviewed by dermatology experts, with input from people with eczema.
We hope you find the information helpful, although it should not be relied upon as a substitute for personalised advice from a qualified healthcare professional. While
we strive to ensure the information is accurate and up-to-date, National Eczema Society does not accept any liability arising from its use. We welcome reader feedback
on our publications, please email us at [email protected]

Factsheet last reviewed July 2021.

© National Eczema Society, June 2019. All rights reserved. Except for personal use, no part of this work may be distributed, reproduced, downloaded, transmitted or
stored in any form without the written permission of National Eczema Society.

National Eczema Society is the UK charity for everyone affected by eczema. We help support
people with eczema, providing information and advice, which we deliver through our
website, social media, campaigns, publications and nurse-supported Helpline. We also
provide a voice for people with eczema, raising awareness of the condition, supporting
research into new treatments and campaigning for better medical care.

National Eczema Society Helpline: 0800 448 0818 Email: [email protected] www.eczema.org 4