Twice I've had this vexing problem. Please help!
First it starts with itchy balls. I scratch. Everything's okay. Couple of days later: More itching. More scratching. Then a tiny lump on the scrotum, which grows into a hard, warm, painful lump within 24 hours, then swells bigger (same size as a testicle) within a few days. I see my urologist. Diagnosis: a scrotal abscess or boil - a subcutaneous infection which fills with pus and can only be resolved via lancing. Meaning he cuts it open with a scalpel and lets it drain for a few days. Heals up within three weeks.
Oh, did I mention the lancing is FUCKING UNBELIEVEABLY PAINFUL for 5 seconds? If not I will: The lancing is FUCKING UNBELIEVEABLY PAINFUL for 5 seconds!!!! So is the needle intended to numb the area.
My urologists says this only happens to about 3-4 patients per year. It's happened to me twice in 3 months. First time a day or two after a messy (but covered) greek session. Second time more than two weeks after a clean greek & vag session.
So could this be the result of an STD or just a nasty case of jock itch turned evil when the scratching creates abrasions in my ball skin?
Dear ScratchingMyItchyBalls,
It would be irresponsible and unethical for ANYONE on this board - me included - to provide you with a possible diagnosis without taking a thorough medical history and seeing you in person. Did you not ask the urologist? You know that he is bound to maintain confidentiality and if you ask him NOT to enter something in the journal, he won't. But he will answer questions and that's exactly what he should do as soon as you contact him again.
And - didn't he test you for STDs? If not, please go get tested if you think you have an STD.
I am not going to feed any speculations - posts with any kind of diagnosis will be deleted by me. And you, my friend - get on the phone and talk this over with your doc. ASAP.
Call you doctor tomorrow, discuss this with him and schedule another appointment for more tests if he says you should.
Hope you feel better soon,
The Love Goddess
-- Modified on 6/3/2009 11:23:15 PM
While greek is no smoking gun when it comes to an infection, it is important to remember that an open wound or abrasion that has been exposed to feces has a much greater chance of becoming infected do to the large amount of bacteria present in feces. That is of coarse if it is only an infection. Remember the details of your sex life may not seem like something that you need to share with your doctor but they just may be the missing piece of information needed to make a proper diagnosis. Please share all info with your doctor. I get the feeling and I may be wrong that there is some info in this post that your doctor may not have. If you don't feel like you can talk to your present doc openly find one that you can asap.
Abcsesses are common, but it is not common for one person to develop an abscess as frequently as you describe. The fact that you have had two withing a few months warrants a discussion with your doctor about preventive measures in the future.
In the interim before you see your Doctor, be sure to very thoroughly clean your scrotal area when you shower, and don't skip the offer of a shower after a session either (or ask to take one if she doesn't make the offer). If you wear briefs, switch to boxers, and if you shave your groin area, either stop or be certain to very thoroughly scrub your balls before shaving. A little prevention never hurt anyone.
-- Modified on 6/4/2009 1:14:04 AM
My first thought is you might be getting ingrown hairs which can certainly cause a problem... lay off shaving. OK to trim.
You doc gave you a dx. Do a search on "abscess". That will give you something to talk about with your doc when you call him.
HV
. . . . that I have what appears to be a "furuncle" (see link below) and that I may be predisposed to this. He recommends that I see a dermatologist. He also gave me a prescription for an antifungal cream to stop the itching that lead to the scratching that could have produced surface cuts that could have gotten infected and developed into the furuncle.
The problem is that I never had this issue until early Spring '09 but had have been hobbying since late-'07. And this happened only after a short bout of genital warts (now cured). I suspect that this comes down catching some funky groin fungus from a lower-rent AMP provider. My solution? Use the cream and stop scratching my balls. And stick to higher end providers.
By the way, in my case (as a regular hobbyist), shouldn't this condition be called a "furaunt" rather than a "furuncle"?
Thanks for the replies!
Thank you for the update, ScratchingMyItchyBalls,
I hate to say this, but my Chow Chow once had what's called a carbuncle (a relative of the furuncle) - he also itched and had a couple of big bumps on his lower abdomen that had to be lanced and dealt with. His hobby was to pee on every tree - does that feel familiar?
In all seriousness, however, it is great that you talked to your doc and that there is some resolution in sight.
"A funky groin fungus?" You mean ringworm? That's tinea cruris, or jock itch. Read the attached link and ponder. Apparently the scrotum is not affected by this fungus, so maybe the AMP provider was not the cause of this.
My question is, why go to "lower-rent AMP" providers, when there are all these lovely, disease-free ladies out there who have nice incall places and who will provide you with a much more comprehensive experience? The advice for the day is stay away from places where hobbyists gather in assembly-line fashion. Nothing good ever came out of that one, except lots of money for the parlor owners.
Hope you heal up soon,
The Love Goddess
-- Modified on 6/9/2009 6:42:26 AM
"Over 30 different types of Staphylococci can infect humans, but most infections are caused by Staphylococcus aureus. Staphylococci can be found normally in the nose and on the skin (and less commonly in other locations) of 20%-30% of healthy adults. In the majority of cases, the bacteria do not cause disease. However, damage to the skin or other injury may allow the bacteria to overcome the natural protective mechanisms of the body, leading to infection."
(Med line plus, see source link below)
I have 2 medical professionals in the family... staph is normally present on adult skin. Be sure to wash & then dry yourself throughly. Be very careful of anything which can damage the skin.