Behandeling van het rode scrotumsyndroom bij huidziekten

What causes scrotal redness?

Redness (also known as erythema) of the skin is the result of increased flow in the blood vessels close to the skin that occurs in the setting of injury, infection or generalized inflammation. There are many things that may cause a red scrotum, so it is important to seek medical attention for proper diagnosis.

Inflammatory

Inflammatory causes of scrotal redness can be related to the following.

• Infection: Many different infectious pathogens can infect the genital area bacteria, fungi, and viruses. These infections are often but not exclusively sexually transmitted and can also result in associated symptoms such as dysuria and penile discharge. Fungal infections can also result in white patches on the scrotum in addition to redness.
• Dermatologic: There are multiple dermatologic diseases that can affect the scrotum and cause redness and associated symptoms. For example, psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that is characterized by erythematous papules or plaques (small, raised lesions or swellings) with irregular borders covered by scales. Psoriasis can affect both the scrotum and penis.

Hygienic

Proper hygiene is key in maintaining genital health. Regularly cleaning underneath the foreskin of the penis and around the scrotum with mild soap and water is very important in keeping harmful bacteria away. It is also important to practice good sexual hygiene. Using condoms and limiting the number of sexual partners is essential in preventing the transmission of sexually transmitted infections.

Allergens

Being exposed to allergens can easily irritate this sensitive area of the body.

• Irritants: Many substances can irritate the skin and cause rashes and redness . This is known as dermatitis. Products such as heavily scented soaps, lotions, perfumes and cleansers used around the genital area can be very irritating and cause inflammation to the scrotum due to allergic or sensitivity reactions.
• Medication: Some medications may cause reactions that result in redness, inflammation or swelling of the scrotum . For example, older males who have a history of prolonged topical corticosteroid use may develop red scrotum syndrome as a side effect of the medication. Talk to your physician about any medications you have started and possible side effects.

Introduction

CASE 1

A 57-year-old man presented to our department because of persistent redness of the scrotal skin and the base of the penis for about two years. He had suffered from severe itching intertriginous eczema and anal pruritus with anal fissures for more than 20 years. He had been treated with topical corticosteroids and topical antimycotics. Because of the chronic anal fissuring he was treated with botulinum A injections in the anal spincter and surgical fissure ectomy. He was taking an oral statin to control hypercholesterinemia for several years.

On examination we found a healthy man with a highly erythematous scrotal skin without any significant scaling, infiltration or lichenification. There was a sharp border to the adjacent unaffected skin [ Fig. 1 ]. On the inner thighs striae were present due to long-term steroid application.

Red scrotum syndrome. (A) Sharp border between intense erythematous scrotal skin and adjacent skin. No scaling. (B) Less intense redness on the posterior site.

We made the diagnosis of RSS. He was given topical corticosteroid ointments without improvement. Even two courses of systemic corticosteroids did not improve the situation. There was an improvement of the erythema after several weeks due to topical calcineurin inhibitor pimecrolimus. The burning and sometimes itching sensations and the hyperalgesia the patient experienced did not improve much. After 4 months, however there was a relapse that could not be controlled by pimecrolimus ointment anymore. Oral doxycycline for 4 weeks did not result in any improvement. Therefore, treatment was switched to oral gabapentine. After 2 weeks a partial remission was noted and further improvement was observed during the next 2 months.

CASE 2

The diagnosis of RSS was made. We started treatment with doxycycline p.o. and tacrolimus 0.1% ointment twice daily with a complete remission of his burning sensations. The redness also improved markedly within 10 days. After 4 weeks treatment was stopped because of complete remission. Both patients reported lower back pain and lumbago in the past but they did not connect these complaints to the scrotal skin affection.

Scrotal redness quiz

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Testicular torsion

The cause is believed to be a congenital abnormality that leaves the testicle insufficiently anchored within the scrotum.

Most susceptible are infant boys and boys just reaching puberty. Torsion may occur in older boys after an injury and/or an athletic workout.

Symptoms include sudden, severe, one-sided testicular pain and swelling, with nausea and vomiting.

Diagnosis is made through physical examination and sometimes ultrasound.

Treatment involves first attempting to manually rotate the testicle back into place. If unsuccessful, surgery will be done to either correct the torsion or to remove the testicle if the damage is not reversible.

Scabies

Scabies is a rash caused by the microscopic human itch mite. It burrows into the top layer of skin to feed and causes severe itching and irritation.

• Children.
• Sexually active young adults.
• Anyone with a weakened immune system.
• Patients in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities.

Symptoms include intense itching, especially at night, and a rash of tiny red bumps. Scratching may cause the rash to form sores, scales, or crusts. The rash most often forms between the fingers, in the folds of the wrists and elbows, and any place normally covered by clothing.

It is important to get treatment because the scratching can cause an infection in the skin. In children, mites can cover nearly the entire body.

Diagnosis is made through physical examination and skin test.

Rarity: Rare

Top Symptoms: vaginal itch or burning, vulvovaginal redness, feeling itchy or tingling all over, butt itch, elbow itch

Urgency: Primary care doctor

Ringworm (tinea corporis)

Most susceptible are those with weakened immune systems, though anyone can contract ringworm.

Prevention

What are the risk factors for getting intertrigo?

Risk factors for getting intertrigo include:

What can I do to prevent intertrigo?

There are several things you can do to try to prevent getting intertrigo, including:

If you’ve had repeated cases of intertrigo, the following actions may help to prevent future cases:

• Have a structured skincare routine: Talk to your healthcare provider or a dermatologist about a skincare routine that could help prevent intertrigo. The plan could include gentle cleansing, moisturizing and using a skin barrier protectant such as zinc oxide or petroleum jelly.
• Lose weight: If you have obesity, losing weight could help prevent future cases of intertrigo. See your healthcare provider and/or a registered dietitian to discuss ways you can healthily and safely lose weight.
• Have a breast reduction: If you’ve had cases of intertrigo under your breasts, a breast reduction could help. Talk to your healthcare provider.
• Have body contouring surgery: If you’ve had cases of intertrigo due to having excess skin from significant weight loss, talk to your provider about body contouring surgeries, such as tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) and brachioplasty, to remove extra skin.

Outlook / Prognosis

What is the outlook for intertrigo?

While intertrigo can be unpleasant and painful, it is treatable. The prognosis (outlook) for intertrigo depends on the person’s overall health. In most cases, people recover well from intertrigo if it’s treated properly.

Intertrigo can become chronic (long-lasting) or recurrent (occurring often), so it’s important to take care of yourself and follow a proper hygiene routine to prevent your intertrigo from coming back.

Can intertrigo cause complications?

If intertrigo is not treated properly, it can cause complications, including:

• Nail fungal infections: If a fungal infection from intertrigo that is between your toes or fingers is not treated properly, it can cause a fungal infection in your toenails or fingernails.
• Cellulitis: Cellulitis is a deep infection of the skin and soft tissue caused by bacteria. If cellulitis is not treated properly, it can be life-threatening. This complication is more common in people who have diabetes and intertrigo.
• Sepsis: If you have an infection caused by intertrigo that is not treated, it could lead to sepsis. Sepsis is a medical emergency caused by the body's response to systemic infection. It can be life-threatening.