A genital rash is a skin symptom that can be caused by a number of health problems and can occur on any part of the male or female genital area.
Rashes are normally reddish in color, may be painful or itchy, and may include bumps or sores.
If you experience any skin rash that you can't explain, you should see your doctor for a diagnosis and treatment.
There are many possible causes for a genital rash, ranging from infections that are treatable to a sexually transmitted infection, allergies, and autoimmune disorders.
Some of the most common causes of genital rashes are infections:
Infecting parasites are another possible cause of a genital rash:
Allergies and autoimmune disorders are other possible reasons for a genital rash:
Sexually transmitted infections, or STIs, are another possible cause of genital rashes and can include:
Before treating a genital rash, your doctor will first need to determine its cause.
The diagnosis process can involve some or all of the following:
The doctor will look at the features of the rash, including any lesions or warts. Let them know about any unusual redness or discharge.
They'll also examine other areas of the skin that may be affected. For example, they may study the webs of your fingers to look for scabies.
Doctors may swab vaginal discharge in women and any discharge present in men, along with lesions.
The doctor may order a skin scrape or biopsy, where they scrape or remove part of a wart, a lesion, or skin cells.
The scrape or biopsy will be examined under a microscope, which can potentially diagnose conditions like psoriasis, scabies, or fungal infections.
Some causes of genital rashes, like herpes and syphilis, may be detected through bloodwork.
There are home diagnostic tests you can use to test for STIs, though they may not be as reliable as tests run by your doctor. If you do use a home diagnostic test and get a positive result, have your doctor double check the results and get treated as soon as possible.
The treatment needed for a genital rash depends on the underlying cause.
Regardless of the cause, however, the itchiness of a rash can be treated with over-the-counter (OTC) creams such as hydrocortisone.
Your doctor may also prescribe you a cream to reduce the symptoms while treating the underlying condition.
Some skin infections will heal without treatment as long as the affected area is kept clean and dry.
Here are some other treatments that your doctor may recommend:
For vaginal yeast infections:
These can be treated with an OTC or prescription medication, like oral antifungals.
For syphilis:
Syphilis is treated with antibiotics.
For genital warts:
These warts are treated with prescription medications, or by having visible warts removed by freezing them with liquid nitrogen or removing them surgically.
Genital herpes can't yet be cured, but it can be managed with medications.
For pubic and body lice:
Lice can be eliminated with a medicated wash, which is applied directly to the site of the infection, left on for a required amount of time, and washed away.
To prevent reinfection, you should wash clothing and bedding in hot water.
For scabies:
Scabies can be treated with medicated creams or lotions prescribed by your doctor.
For allergic reactions:
Eliminating the allergen will allow the rash to clear up and prevent future outbreaks.
For autoimmune disorders:
While there's no cure for autoimmune diseases, there are medications — such as those that suppress the immune system — that can help control symptoms or skin disorders caused by the conditions.
For lichen planus, occurring in autoimmune disorders:
This can be treated with OTC antihistamines or prescription medication skin creams, corticosteroid shots, or pills.
Preventing a genital rash, particularly reoccurring genital rashes, will depend heavily on the cause of the rash itself.
To prevent rashes caused by STIs, you can:
To prevent rashes from allergic reactions, you can:
Maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle will keep you in the best shape you can be in, which can boost your immune system and help you fight off any infections that could cause genital rashes.
If you have a specific concern, consult your doctor.
For most rashes, the outlook is very good.
In most cases, the underlying cause can be treated and the rash will clear up. With the right care, parasites and infections that aren't STIs can be cured and prevented with good hygiene.
Conditions that have no absolute cure such as genital herpes or autoimmune disorders can be successfully managed with the right medications.
Syphilis, if caught early, can be cured easily with penicillin. If it's found later, additional courses of antibiotics may be needed.