KissMeGoodnight eLearning Series:
Your Sexual Health

Genital Itching: How To Avoid It and Treatments

Both males and females can experience the discomfort of genital itching. This itching may be caused by sexually transmitted diseases, irritation, or allergies. In some circumstances, the itching may clear up all by it self. In other situations, you may need to see your health care provider for treatment that cannot be remedied via over-the-counter measures.

Here are some ways that females can avoid genital itching.

• When wiping after urinating or having a bowel movement, you should wipe from front to back. Doing this will lessen the chance of bacteria entering the vagina from the anus.
• Using feminine wash products such as douches and sprays can upset the acidic balance in the vagina.

Here are some ways that males can avoid genital itching.

• For men who are not circumcised it is important to wash under the area of the foreskin.
• Keep the genital area dry

Here are some preventive measures that apply to both male and females to avoid genital itching.

• Do not wear tight fitting, synthetic underwear. Remember to change underwear daily.
• When you are done bathing, showering, or swimming, it is important to dry off completely.
• Do not have unprotected sex

Symptoms have their own language so look at what some of them are telling you. If fungus is the cause, the itching and redness may appear slowly. There will be spots of scaly skin appearing. The reason to keep your peri-area dry and allowing air to circulate is that fungus thrives in an environment that is moist and warm. If you find that the itchiness is increasing this may point to scabies or pubic lice. For a woman the itching could be a sign that she is getting a yeast infection. If there is, either pain involved with severe itching in a male or female this could be a sign of a possible outbreak of herpes.

What are some symptoms to aid in the relief of genital itching? There are many over-the-counter remedies available. The only downside to this is that genital itching has symptoms that closely resemble other diseases as well. If you try an over-the-counter product and do not find relief in the time specified in the instructions, do not go back to buy something different. Make an appointment with your doctor who will then be able to discuss with you the options available.

In addition, here are some of the treatments available without a prescription.

To help ease the discomfort of chaffing use powder, there are many different types of powder available such as cornstarch and talcum powder. Chaffing occurs when the skin rubs against itself, which is a natural occurrence.

Ointments are good for treating jock itch but if you do not know the underlying reason, you may exacerbate the problem. It is often better to see you doctor and talk to him about the treatments available.

Daily washing and cleansing is important in preventing genital itching.

Dry yourself completely after bathing, showering, or any “wet” activity. Remember fungus multiply where the environment is damp and warm.

Wear loose fitting clothes. Tight clothes can cause chaffing along with preventing air to circulate.

Often with chaffing, a cool cloth or compress feels wonderful and temporarily relieves the symptoms.

If you have jock itch, hanging around in the buff is an excellent idea. The air is able to flow freely and you stay dry while your genitals recover from the chaffing and soreness.

Once you have tried the non-prescription treatments and you are still feeling an enormous urge to keep scratching, this may signal a different problem – scabies or pubic lice. Scabies are mites that tunnel into the skin and infest the genitals as well as other areas of the body. They are microscopic in size. If you have scabies, you will soon notice lesions around the infected areas. They are very contagious and you do not have to be sexually active to contract them. Any close contact with someone who is infested will be on you. Only a prescription can eliminate scabies.

Pubic lice are visible unlike scabies. If you look you will see them crawling around. There is no mistaking whether or not you have them. If you do, you will know. Rid is a product that is over-the-counter and is usually very effective at killing them. If within the period suggested they are not gone, contact your doctor who will examine you and probably provide a prescription to get rid of them. Often times it can be difficult to tell what you have because genital itching is part of many diseases. In many cases, genital itching that is caused by irritation will clear up on its own if the irritation is removed.

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by KissMeGoodnight.com : 2006

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