Getting breakouts in the groin can be exceedingly uncomfortable. There are a number of triggers for this. Read more...
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Are breakouts in the groin actually acne?
Getting breakouts in the groin can be exceedingly uncomfortable. There are a number of triggers for this.
The most common cause for breakouts in the groin is actually bacterial folliculitis. Staphylococcus aureus is a bacteria that is commonly found in the environment. It can take up residence on the skin- inside the nose, under the arms, or in the fold between the hip and groin. When it lives in the fold between the hip and groin you may not always see signs of it. However, after shaving or sweating, or periods of stress, there will be ‘breakouts’ that develop in the hair follicles. Most people think they just get "ingrown hairs". Although this can occur, it often develops in pus bumps, boils, and cysts that can be recurrent, persistent, and scarring for years.
Other causes include hormonal changes, allergic reactions, hidradenitis (consisted autoimmune), etc.
Often those who find that they sweat more, have hormonal fluctuations, people that play contact sports, share razors, wear tight clothing, etc are more likely to deal with this issue.
How can you tell these breakouts apart from an STI?
Herpes is exquisitely tender or painful and classically appears as vesicles or blisters grouped together in a patch or plaque. They are not necessarily based around a hair follicle the way folliculitis is. The other key point: herpes will resolve without treatment within a couple of weeks. Folliculitis will persist and recur and need to be treated.
The other sexually transmitted infections such as syphilis (classically painless), chancroid, gonorrhea, and chlamydia often have an enlarged lymph node in the area. Always check for ‘lumps’ that can be painful along the fold between the hip fold. I strongly recommend a dermatologist evaluation as sometimes the clearest diagnosis is made by biopsy or culture of the lesions.
Are there any do's and don'ts when you do get breakouts in the groin?
Do’s:
Wash with an antibacterial soap like dial or lever 2000
Use disposable razors or frequently change the blade to avoid reinfecting or spreading
See your doctor to confirm the diagnosis and treatment
Wipe down gym equipment and use hand sanitizers
If you feel as though you suffer from excess sweating then consider using a stick antiperspirant in the fold between the hip and groin to decrease sweating
Don’ts:
Don’t wear tight constrictive clothing
Don’t share razors
See your doctor! You will likely benefit from a slightly longer course of antibiotics along with an antibiotic cream called mupirocin to the fold between the hip and groin one week per month for 3 months to treat the staph carrier state.
What are “draining tracts” with reference to hidradenitis suppuritiva (HS)?
Hidradenitis suppuritiva (HS) is a painful recurrent condition. It tends to occur in the folds such as under the arms, between the legs, and around the neck. There are painful lumps or nodules that may find their way to the skin to drain through a sinus tract. To support a diagnosis of HS the following three criteria should be met:
The presence of nodules, painful cysts or abscesses, firm or draining sinus tracts, and scarring
Involvement of the axilla (underarms), inguinal folds (fold between the hip and thigh), inframammary fold (fold under the breasts), and perineum
Relapsing and chronic occurring more than 2 times in 6 months.
The draining tracts are actual channels that develop under the skin. They generally start with a nodule or inflamed focus under the skin that seeks an “exit” out of the skin to release the pressure that is building up in the skin. This results in the inflammatory fluid developing a tunnel under the skin that starts at the nodule and travels to the surface of the skin to drain. Once these channels or tracts develop, they can persist and continue to drain fluid to the skin. They can also serve as a conduit for bacteria to travel backward from the outside of the skin to under the skin to continue a vicious cycle of persistent drainage.
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