Scrotal eczema can sometimes be mistaken for other skin conditions, including fungal (yeast) infections.
For this reason, it is essential that anyone experiencing symptoms should see a skin specialist to ensure an accurate diagnosis.
In mild cases of eczema, the affected skin will be red, itchy, dry, and scaly.
More severe cases can include bleeding, crusting, and weeping of sores. Scratching of the itchy skin can also open up sores, which are at risk of infection.
A skin specialist will be able to judge the seriousness of the condition, identify the potential contributing triggers, and diagnose the underlying type of eczema.
Four potentially useful classification categories for scrotal eczema:
Type 1 - mild, acute, dry
The skin appears reddened and irritated, with a clear visual difference between the healthy and affected skin. The affected skin will itch severely and sting. Mild, acute, dry eczema may last a few days or weeks, and the symptoms may clear up on their own.
Type 2 - severe, chronic, dry
The scrotum appears scaly, and either bright red or unusually pale with a scaly appearance. The thighs and skin under the penis may also be affected.
The burning and itching sensation is more severe in this type of scrotal eczema than in the mild, acute, dry type.
Type 3 - chronic, wet
The whole scrotum and inner sides of the thighs appear soft and moist, with fluid oozing from the area. Blood vessels can seem to stick out in a "spider vein" pattern, and a bad smell and painful sores are common.
Type 4 - swollen, ulcers
The skin of the scrotum is swollen, with fluid and pus oozing from open wounds and ulcers that smell bad. This stage is extremely painful. In extreme cases, gangrene sets in and spreads to the legs and lower abdomen.