Itchy balls (itchy scrotum) in men: causes, jock itch and what helps

Itchy balls are common. Like any itch in the groin, they're nothing to be ashamed of and don't necessarily mean a sexually transmitted infection (STI), says the American Academy of Dermatology. Itchy balls, an itchy scrotum and itchy testicles all mean an itch on the scrotum, the sack of skin that holds the testicles (the NHS also calls them the balls). The NHS says you can often treat itchy skin yourself, and it will usually go away after a few weeks. It also says not to try to diagnose yourself, and to see a GP if you're worried.

If your bottom itches too, see our page on an itchy bum. If it's the penis itself, see balanitis and thrush in men.

Why are my balls itchy?

The NHS groups the possible causes of itchy skin as reactions to heat or to something you're allergic to; long-term skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis; fungal infections such as thrush and ringworm; and parasites such as scabies and pubic lice. Each cause is covered below for itching in the male groin.

Causes of an itchy groin: how they come about and where to start

	How it usually comes about.	Where to start.
Sweat, heat and rubbing (heat rash, chafing)	Heat rash usually comes from sweating a lot and cannot be passed on; chafing comes from skin rubbing on skin	Loose cotton clothes and light bedding; a pharmacist for heat rash, and a GP if it has not improved after a few days
Irritation or allergy (contact dermatitis)	Something touching the skin: most often irritants such as soaps and detergents, less often an allergy to something in a product	Find and avoid the cause; a GP if it is persistent, keeps coming back or is severe
Jock itch (ringworm of the groin)	A fungus, usually spread from elsewhere on your own body, often the feet or nails; can be passed on by close contact, towels or bedding	A pharmacist; a GP if pharmacy treatment has not helped
Thrush (candida)	Tends to grow in warm, moist conditions; not classed as an STI, though sex can trigger it	A GP the first time; a sexual health clinic may also be able to help
Scabies	Mites passed on by close skin contact, including sex	A pharmacist; everyone at home needs treating at the same time (a child under 2 needs a GP, not pharmacy treatment), and sexual partners from the past 8 weeks should be treated too
Pubic lice	Mainly close body contact, most commonly sex	A sexual health clinic or a GP; a pharmacist may be able to treat them if you are sure
Eczema or psoriasis	Atopic eczema usually comes and goes in flare-ups; psoriasis can affect the groin and genitals	A GP

Several of these can look alike, so this cannot tell you which one you have: a pharmacist, GP or sexual health clinic can look at it. Sources: the NHS, UK GP guidance (NICE CKS), the Primary Care Dermatology Society and DermNet.

Why is my groin or crotch itchy? Sweat, heat and chafing

Skin rubbing on skin in the groin folds, helped along by trapped moisture, can cause a rash called intertrigo. The Primary Care Dermatology Society (PCDS) says it can itch, burn and hurt, and often picks up a bacterial or fungal infection. Heat rash, usually caused by sweating a lot, brings small raised spots and an itchy, prickly feeling, and can't be passed on (NHS).

The PCDS suggests showering after exercise, keeping the area thoroughly dry, and wearing light, loose, absorbent clothes rather than nylon or other synthetics. Our guide to groin chafing covers stopping the rub.

Soap, wipes, fabrics and other irritants

Contact dermatitis is a type of eczema set off by something touching the skin, the NHS says. It makes skin itchy, blistered, dry and cracked, and usually gets better once the cause is found and avoided. Perfumed soaps, wet wipes and underwear can cause a reaction in anyone (American Academy of Dermatology). A 2013 review says over-the-counter products put on an inflamed scrotum, antifungal creams included, can make it worse.

Thrush and other fungal infections

Jock itch, a fungal infection of the groin, has its own sections below. Thrush can affect the groin too, usually as a red, itchy or painful rash that scales over, which may be less obvious on darker skin (NHS).

Eczema, psoriasis and thickened skin

Atopic eczema can make skin itchy and dry, cracked, scaly or thickened, and usually comes and goes in flare-ups, the NHS says. Psoriasis causes dry, itchy, sore, flaky patches, and can appear in body folds, including the groin and genitals.

Lichen simplex is thickened, rough skin from scratching or rubbing over a long time. The British Association of Dermatologists (BAD) says it isn't infectious. The more you scratch it, the itchier it often gets, and it rarely goes away without treatment (American Academy of Dermatology).

Red scrotum syndrome is long-lasting redness of the front of the scrotum, with itching or burning. The PCDS says its cause is unknown, though many reported cases had used steroid creams for a long time beforehand.

Scabies and pubic lice

Scabies is an itchy rash caused by mites and spread through close skin contact. The NHS says it often affects the waist, groin and bottom, as well as between the fingers and around the wrists, and has nothing to do with poor hygiene. In men with scabies, intensely itchy lumps can appear on the penis and scrotum, which UK GP guidance (NICE CKS) says indicate scabies caught through sex. It needs treatment, and a pharmacist can help.

Pubic lice most often live in pubic hair. Itching is the most common symptom, and symptoms take one to three weeks to start after a first infestation (PCDS). The NHS says the lice are tiny and grey-brown and can be hard to spot; other signs include white or yellow eggs on the hairs, small red or blue spots from bites, and dark red or brown spots in your underwear. Condoms don't protect against pubic lice. The lice won't go away without treatment.

Shaving and regrowing hair

Ingrown hairs can look like raised, itchy bumps and are more likely in areas you shave, including the pubic area; waxing and plucking can cause them too (NHS). A PCDS leaflet says razor bumps are not usually caused by infection and can affect the pubic area, and an itching or burning feeling can start within 24 to 48 hours of shaving.

The NHS says to see a GP if an ingrown hair or the area around it is very painful, hot or swollen, or if you have an ingrown hair and a high temperature, or you feel hot, cold or shivery or very unwell. Our page on ingrown pubic hairs covers bumps after shaving in full.

What is jock itch?

Jock itch is ringworm of the groin, the NHS says: a common fungal infection that isn't caused by worms. Doctors call it tinea cruris, and DermNet describes it as an infection with a type of fungus called a dermatophyte, affecting the groin, pubic area and nearby thigh. The NHS says it's sometimes called dhobie itch. The American Academy of Dermatology says it's especially common in athletes, because the fungus thrives on warm, moist skin covered by tight clothing.

What does jock itch look like?

The NHS says the main symptom of ringworm, jock itch included, is a rash that may look red or darker than the skin around it, depending on your skin tone, and may be scaly, dry, swollen or itchy; its colour may be less noticeable on brown and black skin. We describe it here in words rather than pictures.

The rash usually starts in the crease where the leg meets the body, often on one side first, and can spread down the inner thigh and towards the bottom and waist. Its edge is often the most active part: raised, red and scaly, though UK GP guidance says that in moist skin folds the scaly edge may be missing.

UK GP guidance and DermNet say jock itch often spares the scrotum and penis, while the American Academy of Dermatology lists the genitals among the places it can appear. A pharmacist can look at the rash, and a GP usually diagnoses it by looking.

How do you get jock itch, and is it contagious?

Jock itch is caused by a fungus that usually spreads from an infection elsewhere on your own body, often the feet or nails, by scratching or through towels and bedsheets (NICE CKS, DermNet).

And yes, the NHS says ringworm, jock itch included, can be passed on through close contact with an infected person or animal, or with infected things such as towels and bedsheets. Scratching can spread it to other parts of your body, including your hand, so try not to scratch.

UK health sources also report a sexually transmissible ringworm fungus, TMVII, which has been found in the UK and is increasingly recognised, particularly among men who have sex with men. It can be very inflamed with pus spots, so doctors may not think of a fungus at first. A GP or a sexual health clinic can check.

How do you get rid of jock itch, and what kills it fast?

The NHS's first step is to speak to a pharmacist, who can look at the rash and recommend an antifungal medicine: a cream, gel, spray or tablets, depending on where the rash is. Keep using it for the right length of time, even after the rash has gone, as stopping too soon can let the infection come back.

Antifungal creams named in UK GP guidance include terbinafine, clotrimazole, miconazole and econazole, some sold over the counter for certain age groups. Athlete's foot can be the source, so the feet should be checked too and treated if they're affected (PCDS). Alongside treatment, UK GP guidance suggests:

• washing the area daily, then drying it thoroughly, especially in the skin folds
• washing clothes and bed linen often

UK GP guidance advises against using a steroid cream on its own on a fungal rash: the PCDS says the itch may settle a little while the rash gets worse, which doctors call tinea incognito.

Why are my balls itchy at night?

Several causes of itchy testicles or an itchy groin are known for being worse at night. The NHS says scabies brings intense itching, especially at night, and that the itching from pubic lice is usually worse at night. The BAD says the itch of lichen simplex may be worse at rest and at night.

NHS inform suggests cool, light, loose bedclothes, and cotton gloves at night to prevent damage from scratching in your sleep.

Why is my scrotum itchy with no rash?

The NHS says itching is sometimes caused by dry, cracked or irritated skin. No UK source we found covers itch on the scrotum alone with no rash, so this section is about itch in general. With lichen simplex, the itch comes first and scratching causes the rash (American Academy of Dermatology). The scabies rash can take up to 8 weeks to appear (NHS).

Less commonly, itchy skin can be a sign of a more serious condition, such as thyroid, liver or kidney problems (NHS). When itch with no rash needs an appointment, and how soon, is under "When to see a pharmacist or GP about itchy balls" below.

Is an itchy groin an STI?

It can be, though the American Academy of Dermatology says an itchy groin doesn't necessarily mean one. Itchy genitals or anus are on the NHS's list of symptoms of a sexually transmitted infection (an STI, sometimes called an STD); many STIs have no symptoms, and the only way to know for sure is to get tested. Scabies and pubic lice are both commonly passed on through close or sexual contact.

Genital warts don't usually cause symptoms but are sometimes itchy, and genital herpes can cause tingling, burning or itching around the genitals, with small blisters that burst to leave sores (NHS).

How can I relieve an itchy scrotum?

Among the NHS's self-care steps for itchy skin:

• pat or tap your skin instead of scratching it
• hold something cool on your skin, like a damp towel
• have cool or lukewarm baths or showers
• keep your nails clean, short and smooth
• wear loose cotton or silk clothing
• use a laundry liquid or powder that's for sensitive skin

UK dermatology itch leaflets add: wash no more than once a day, quickly, in lukewarm water, and avoid soap or anything else that lathers, even if it claims to be good for skin.

Scratching can become a habit that's very hard to break, the BAD says: noticing the times and activities when you scratch most may help, and anything that takes your mind off the itch helps reduce or stop the scratching.

The PCDS says steroid creams won't help itch if the skin isn't inflamed (red and dry). The NHS says antihistamine medicines may help with some causes of itching. For treatment, the pharmacist services for each UK nation are in the table at the end of this page.

When to see a pharmacist or GP about itchy balls

The lists below are the NHS's, most urgent first; the PCDS adds two points about itch with no rash.

Call 999 or go to A&E

Go to A&E immediately or call 999 if you have:

• sudden, severe pain in a testicle
• testicle pain along with feeling sick, being sick or pain in your tummy
• testicle pain that has lasted more than an hour or continues when you're resting

Painful, hot, swollen skin that usually looks red (though this may be less obvious on brown or black skin) can be cellulitis. Call 999 or go to A&E if you have it along with:

• a very high temperature, or you feel hot, cold or shivery
• a fast heartbeat or fast breathing
• purple patches on your skin, though this may be less obvious on brown or black skin
• feeling dizzy or faint
• confusion or disorientation
• cold, clammy or pale skin
• unresponsiveness or loss of consciousness

Call 999 or go to A&E if:

• you have a cut or wound, or a red or swollen area of skin, that is much more painful than you would expect
• you have a cut or wound, or a red or swollen area of skin, and get symptoms like a high temperature, headache, tiredness and muscle aches
• you have black, purple or grey blotches or blisters near a cut or wound, or a red or swollen area of skin
• you have sudden confusion, feel dizzy, or feel like your heart is pounding, beating very fast, fluttering or missing a beat

Redness may be harder to see on black or brown skin. The NHS gives these as signs of necrotising fasciitis, which is very rare; its symptoms can be similar to more common skin infections like cellulitis.

If you have psoriasis, call 999 or go to A&E if:

• your skin quickly turns red and you develop white, pus-filled bumps that join together (redness may be harder to see on brown or black skin)
• you have psoriasis patches on your feet that turn yellow-brown and are filled with pus
• your fingers and toes have red, scaly pus-filled bumps on the tips (redness may be harder to see on brown or black skin)

Ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111

Ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 if your skin is painful, hot and swollen, or if you have:

• aching or discomfort in your testicles that you're worried about
• a lump in your testicles
• swollen testicles
• a change in the shape of your testicles
• a change in the way your testicles feel
• a testicle that has become bigger than the other

If you have atopic eczema, ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 if:

• it's blistered, crusty, leaking fluid or has spots filled with pus
• it's painful, swollen or feels warm
• it suddenly gets worse or gets bigger
• you have a high temperature or feel generally unwell

The PCDS adds that itch with no rash that comes with night sweats or weight loss needs an urgent appointment, as it may suggest a more serious cause. The urgent advice service for each UK nation is in the table below.

See a GP

See a GP if itchy skin:

• is affecting your daily life
• does not get better with self-care or keeps coming back
• is caused by a new rash, lump or swelling that you're worried about
• is all over your body
• is severe

The NHS also says to see a GP:

• for jock itch (ringworm) that has not improved after using antifungal medicine recommended by a pharmacist, or if you have it and a weakened immune system, for example from chemotherapy, steroids or diabetes
• for thrush, if you have symptoms for the first time, you're over 60, you have a weakened immune system (for example because of diabetes, HIV or chemotherapy), it keeps coming back (more than 4 times in 12 months) or treatment has not worked; you may also be able to get help from a sexual health clinic
• for scabies, if your child is under 2 and has symptoms of scabies or someone else in your household has scabies; if you think your skin may be infected or you have another skin condition, such as eczema; if you have a crusted, flaky rash on your elbows, knees, hands or feet; or if you've used pharmacy treatment and your skin is still itching 2 to 4 weeks after treatment has finished
• for atopic eczema, if you have symptoms of it or treatments are not helping it
• for psoriasis, if you have symptoms of it, your treatment is not working or is giving you side effects, or you also have pain, stiffness and swelling in your joints that keeps coming back
• if you have heat rash that does not improve after a few days, or persistent, recurrent or severe symptoms of contact dermatitis
• if you have a growth or area of skin that hurts, itches, bleeds, crusts or scabs for more than 4 weeks, or a growth on your skin that's getting bigger or has changed colour or texture

That last item is from the NHS's page on non-melanoma skin cancer, which it says can affect any part of your skin, though it's most common in areas exposed to the sun. The PCDS adds that itch with no rash that goes on for more than 6 weeks needs an appointment with a health professional, who will need to examine you and arrange tests to see if a cause can be found.

Go to a sexual health clinic

Go to a sexual health clinic if:

• you think you may have an STI
• a sexual partner has symptoms of an STI
• you're worried after having sex without a condom or dental dam
• you're having sex with new partners
• you have 1 or more painless lumps or growths around your penis or anus, or itching or bleeding from your genitals or anus
• you have a change to your normal flow of pee (for example, it's begun to flow sideways) that does not go away, or a sexual partner who has genital warts, even if you do not know if you have them
• you have symptoms of genital herpes (go as soon as possible)

For pubic lice, the NHS says to go to a sexual health clinic or see a GP.

Where can you get help in the UK?

Anywhere in the UK, call 999 in a life-threatening emergency. The NHS in England says A&E is for serious injuries and life-threatening emergencies, and not to drive yourself there: ask someone to drive you, or call 999 for an ambulance.

• England: clinics are free and confidential unless staff think someone is at risk of harm, and even then they'll talk to you first; you don't usually need a GP referral or appointment, but contact the clinic first.
• Scotland: services are free and your GP won't be told without your permission; phone a service for an appointment, or book online where offered.
• Wales: clinics are free and confidential on the same terms as England; many offer a walk-in service, where you don't need an appointment.
• Northern Ireland: clinics are free and confidential unless you share something that indicates someone is at risk; you don't need a doctor's referral, but in most cases you need an appointment.