BABY AND CHILDHOOD SKIN DISORDERS: RINGWORM OF THE INGUINAL REGION
This may be very irritating, and is often worse in hot, humid, moist summer weather. The inguinal region is the region between the legs, so this infection is commonly called 'jock itch'. It may be aggravated by sweating and the collection of moisture in this area, which cannot readily dry because of the underclothing. Nylon under-gear is notorious for reducing the evaporation of sweat. Also, constant rubbing of moist surfaces by clothing and chafing of adjoining skin will aggravate it.
Skin may be abraided, the superimposed infections can readily gain access to the skin's surface. Besides ringworm, other infections including monilia (bacterial infection) may be superimposed. A red, raw, weeping, painful, inflamed region can develop. This may become extensive, penetrating around the male's scrotum and back into the anal folds. It may also occur in the armpits, where similar conditions are present.
Treatment
These areas are often moist, with the surfaces rubbing. Keeping them as dry as possible, especially in hot, humid summer weather, is worthwhile. Wearing cotton underwear, avoiding nylon, is a good idea. The less one wears the better and the quicker recovery will occur. That is why stripping to the minimum when at beaches and when surfing is often beneficial. The use of moisture-absorbing powders (such as talc and starch) is often helpful. Use of harsh soaps may aggravate.
Often secondary invaders are present (that is, germs apart from the tinea-producing ones). This is often responsible for the red, raw appearance. Bathing twice daily with a weak (pink only) condy's crystal solution will often check this. Dab dry with a soft towel and do not rub vigorously, for this will only increase the discomfort.
Many local applications have been tried with varying success: Tolnaftate drops applied twice daily and gently rubbed in may prove extremely beneficial. Castellani's paint, a brilliant magenta-coloured application, is sometimes effective but can stain clothing severely. Half-strength Whitfield's ointment is often successful. So is sulphur-salicylic ointment.
If these simple do-it-yourself methods do not rapidly effect an improvement, then take the suffering child to the doctor. The specific antibiotic griseofulvins is often effective, but it may have to be continued for several weeks. Also, steroid-based applications that contain ingredients to kill all participating infections are often helpful and the results may be dramatic. Kenacomb and Pimafucort ointment contain a steroid which reduces general inflammation, plus ingredients that will destroy both monilial and bacterial infections if they are present—which they often are.
Good personal hygiene, plus the general measures already outlined are also necessary. In girls, wearing nylon panties or tight panti-hose made from nylon will only aggravate the condition. (In fact, I recommend that nylon underclothing be avoided at all times—cotton underwear 'breathes' so much better.)
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General Health
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