Scrotal Rash Symptoms, Causes & Common Questions

Understand your scrotal rash symptoms, including 4 causes & common questions.

Scrotal Rash Symptom Checker

Take a quiz to find out what might be causing your scrotal rash


  1. 4 Possible Scrotal Rash Causes
  2. FAQs
  3. Questions Your Doctor May Ask
  4. Statistics
  5. Related Articles

4 Possible Scrotal Rash Causes

The list below shows results from the use of our quiz by Buoy users who experienced scrotal rash. This list does not constitute medical advice and may not accurately represent what you have.

Non-specific skin rash

Common causes of rash are contact dermatitis, sun damage, or allergic reaction. However, many rashes are a symptom of disease and should not be ignored.

Nonspecific rashes have widely varied symptoms:

  • May be flat and smooth; slightly raised or with swollen welts; clean and dry; or blistered and oozing.

May spread widely over the body, or be confined to one site.

  • May appear after eating certain foods; or after exposure to certain plants or to insect stings or bites.

Other symptoms may be present, including pain anywhere in the body; nausea; vomiting; fever; headache; or abdominal pain and upset.

Diagnosis is made through patient history and physical examination to determine the exact type, location, and history of the rash, along with any other symptoms that may be present.

Those symptoms will be investigated with blood tests or imaging. Skin swabs may be taken and tested. After the process has ruled out as many causes as possible, a course of treatment can be determined.

Rarity: Common

Top Symptoms: rash

Symptoms that always occur with non-specific skin rash: rash

Urgency: Wait and watch

Non-specific dermatitis (skin inflammation)

Nonspecific dermatitis, or contact dermatitis, simply means inflammation of the skin from many different causes.

Most nonspecific dermatitis is caused by skin contact with a substance that provokes a reaction, which could be anything from plants to soap to jewelry to fabrics. Some may be due to an autoimmune condition, where the body's immune system attacks itself.

Risk factors include a family or personal history of allergies, asthma, or other condition which weakens the immune system; or constant contact with metals, plant life, or chemicals.

Symptoms commonly include red, swollen skin rash with itching, blistering, or oozing, which may become painful and infected.

Dermatitis itself is not contagious but can interfere with quality of life. A medical provider can help with managing the symptoms.

Diagnosis is made through patient history, physical examination, and sometimes skin biopsy and patch testing.

Treatment involves using protective measures if the substances cannot be avoided; making nutritional improvements to strengthen the immune system; using corticosteroid or other creams; and phototherapy.

Rarity: Common

Top Symptoms: red rash, itchy rash, painful rash

Symptoms that always occur with non-specific dermatitis (skin inflammation): red rash

Urgency: Self-treatment

Scrotal Rash Symptom Checker


Irritant contact dermatitis


Common causes are soap, bleach, cleaning agents, chemicals, and even water. Almost any substance can cause it with prolonged exposure. Contact dermatitis is not contagious.

Anyone who works with an irritating substance can contract the condition. Mechanics, beauticians, housekeepers, restaurant workers, and health care providers are all susceptible.


A medical provider can give the best advice on how to heal the skin and avoid further irritation. Self-treatment can make the problem worse if the wrong creams or ointments are used.

Diagnosis is made through patient history, to find out what substances the patient comes into contact with, and through physical examination of the damaged skin.

Treatment involves avoiding the irritating substance if possible. Otherwise, the person can use petroleum jelly on the hands underneath cotton and then rubber gloves.

Rarity: Common

Top Symptoms: rash with well-defined border, itchy rash, red or pink, rough patch of skin, painful rash, red rash

Symptoms that always occur with irritant contact dermatitis: rash with well-defined border

Symptoms that never occur with irritant contact dermatitis: fever, black-colored skin changes, brown-colored skin changes, blue-colored skin changes

Urgency: Self-treatment

Skin infection (cellulitis)

Cellulitis is a bacterial infection that can affect the skin of any part of the body. Cellulitis most commonly appears on the legs in adults and on the head in children. It can be the result of any condition that compromises the protective barrier of the ski...

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FAQs About Scrotal Rash

Here are some frequently asked questions about scrotal rash.

Why won't my scrotal rash go away?

You can get a scrotal rash for several reasons and that may not be going away. One major cause of scrotal rashes are infections such as scabies, pubic lice, or fungi. Other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can also present as a rash. If the rash is not infectious in nature, it is most likely due to inflammation of the skin due to conditions like dermatitis, eczema, or heat rash.

Why does my toddler have a scrotal rash?

Scrotal rashes in children are usually caused by some sort of irritant. Common irritants include an allergic reaction to new laundry detergent or soaps as well as stool and urine left in prolonged contact with the skin in those wearing diapers. More rarely, children can also have rash secondary to infections such as candidiasis, staph scalded skin syndrome, or other bacteria. In the case of bacterial infection, it is important that children get immediately treated before the rash progresses to a more serious condition such as cellulitis.

Do yeast infections cause scrotal rashes?

Yes, yeast infections can cause scrotal rashes, most commonly in infants between three to four months of age. Infections also often occur in elderly adults with incontinence. It is one of the major causes of rashes on the scrotum as the moist and warm area near the genitals creates an environment favorable for yeast growth. Yeast infections will be red, itchy, and slightly raised with pustules surrounding the edges of the lesion.

Why is my scrotal rash not itchy?

A non-itchy scrotal rash increases the likelihood of having miliaria (not to be confused with the mosquito-borne illness malaria), also known as heat rash or sweat rash, that is a transient disorder caused by blockage within the sweat duct. Hot and humid environments, strenuous physical activity, and tight clothing that occludes the skin are all risk factors for developing this particular type of rash.

Why do I get a scrotal rash after shaving?

Shaving hair on the scrotum, especially if done improperly, increases the risk of ingrown hairs as hair tends to grow downward or curl into the skin. This can lead to pseudofolliculitis, which is especially prevalent in black men due to the curly nature of their hair. Poor shaving hygiene can also introduce bacteria to the hair follicles and can cause inflammation of the follicles called folliculitis. Bacterial folliculitis will present as red papules and pustules whereas pseudofolliculitis will present as firm, skin-colored, sometimes hyperpigmented papules.

Questions Your Doctor May Ask About Scrotal Rash


  • Any fever today or during the last week?
  • Are there bumps on your rash?
  • What color is the skin change?
  • Is your rash raised or rough when you run your hand over the area of skin?

If you've answered yes to one or more of these questions

Please take a quiz to find out what might be causing your scrotal rash. These questions are also covered.

Scrotal Rash Quiz

Scrotal Rash Symptom Checker Statistics

People who have experienced scrotal rash have also experienced:

  • 20% Scrotal Itch
  • 9% Penile Skin Changes
  • 5% Testicle Pain

People who have experienced scrotal rash were most often matched with:

  • 50% Non-Specific Dermatitis (Skin Inflammation)
  • 50% Irritant Contact Dermatitis

People who have experienced scrotal rash had symptoms persist for:

  • 29% Over a month
  • 27% Less than a week
  • 25% Less than a day


Scrotal Rash Symptom Checker
