Psoriasis in the Nether Regions

By Clair G

2 min read

Genital psoriasis is a topic that is not very easy to talk about. It can leave one blushing and racking their brain for ideas to change the subject. As if having psoriasis is not a challenge in itself, having it spread to your nether regions, well, it can certainly magnify the frustration.

What has helped me in managing genital psoriasis

Throughout the years, I've tried many expensive products, I've changed underwear brands more times than I care to count, and even spent some time going commando till it was time to move on again.

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Brought to you from years of experience, I am sharing my top four tips for managing psoriasis in your genital area. They haven't failed me yet.

Cotton underwear

Listen to me: synthetics suck when you have genital psoriasis. The fabric just does not breathe the same. Airflow is limited when you wear clothes. Adding undies made out of synthetic fabric can really exacerbate the situation.

Cotton seems to breathe easier. Bamboo is also a new alternative that I have started looking into. It's also important to mention to not washing your undies in harsh washing detergent. Please make sure they rinse properly before hanging them out to dry.

Dusting off

Excessive moisture is never good. It induces chaffing and itching. This for me is the biggest battle, in particular at night. Having fragrance-free powder or corn starch powder on hand can make all the difference.

Dusting off your nether regions before sleep time or even during the day can make a huge difference. Absorbing any excess moisture and help find the balance.

Good Topical ointment

Even if it is hard to talk about, get your doctor to prescribe an ointment for your genital area. The skin is very different and it is could have an adverse effect if you use a cream that is not meant specifically for your genital skin.

I like to apply my ointment and then try not to put bottoms on for a while. Keeping an anti-fungal cream on hand can also be helpful to relieve the itch too. Again, get your doctor to give you an idea of what cream could be best. Alternatively, let them prescribe one for you.

Commando

Take those pants off. Yes, you heard me correctly. Take them off as often as you can and preferably at home. I mean if you can pull it off at work too, go for it. More often than not, people won’t know the difference. Air out your skin and allow it to rest. An alternative to this is wearing very loose-fitting pants with no undies.

This article represents the opinions, thoughts, and experiences of the author; none of this content has been paid for by any advertiser. The PlaquePsoriasis.com team does not recommend or endorse any products or treatments discussed herein. Learn more about how we maintain editorial integrity here.

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sunflowergirlntx Member
This article describes my life, but it doesn't describe how painful it can be. It has completely ruined my life. 
1. Jill.Brodie Community Admin
 Hi @sunflowergirlntx, I can hear how difficult this is for you. This must be so hard for you. I wish you were not in so much pain. Sending over a gentle hug. Jill, Team Member 
2. sunflowergirlntx Member
 <inline-mention username="Jill.Brodie" user-id="3332921"/> Thank you so much Jill. It's much appreciated! Blessings!
DianeT Moderator & Contributor
Hello <inline-mention username="Clair G" user-id="3324255"/> , I honestly feel your pain. I have been here so many times. It is the most painful thing ever. How are you doing now? Diane, Team Member
CommunityMembera741e3 Member
These are all great ideas, but what do you do if you are incontinent and need to where a thick pad 24/7. Any suggestions? I use frangrance free wet wipes, because the toilet paper agravates the itch and burning. And the only thing I seem able to apply without terrible burning is triple antibiotic cream otc.
1. Clair G Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="CommunityMembera741e3" user-id="6621576"/> I hope that it is helping, When are you expecting to see your dermatologist? - Clair, Author & Moderator 
2. CommunityMembera741e3 Member
 <inline-mention username="Clair G" user-id="3324255"/>Thank you Clair, I have been waiting 2 weeks for a referral, I am going to make the appointment today, and let them get the referral, hopefully they can see me soon.
CommunityMemberfbcf90 Member
I have this problem in my figure tips, what can I do 
1. CathyD Moderator
 Hi <inline-mention username="CommunityMemberfbcf90" user-id="6678940"/>, psoriasis on the fingers and hands can be such a challenge to deal with. Are you working with a dermatologist at the moment? Whilst we're not able to offer medical advice over the internet (for your safety), we do have the following article which looks at some treatment options for psoriasis on the hands: <a href='https://plaquepsoriasis.com/symptoms-affect-body/hands-feet-palm-sole' target='_blank'>https://plaquepsoriasis.com/symptoms-affect-body/hands-feet-palm-sole</a> I hope this is helpful. If you'd like to, you could also try posting your question as a forum topic: <a href='https://plaquepsoriasis.com/forums' target='_blank'>https://plaquepsoriasis.com/forums</a> Your comment should be more visible in the Forums, and hopefully our community members will stop by to share their personal experiences with you. Warmest wishes, -Catherine, Community Moderator
Alexandria Member
Just a few thoughts I'd like to put out there from both the article and the comments: + I tried 'dusting it off' for a long time. Years, in fact. Convinced the key was to be super duper free of moisture and that heat and moisture was the problem. Turns out the problem was psoriasis, not heat or moisture. At which point I was told to keep it moist, but a very specific kind of moist. I use fragrance free lotion with manuka honey and the smallest amount of triamcinolone cream in all the various 'fold' zones (under belly, crease of thigh and groin). Downstairs, I use either a very specific lotion formulated for use there or the every few days use of clotramazole/betamethazone cream. That along with Humira has left it 'livable'. Not fixed, mind you, but livable. + Regarding the comment about need for incontinence products. I know it's not the same, but when I'm on my period, I've gone old school. Folded up very soft washcloth between the thighs and let my leggings hold it there. (I put a spare one on the top of the toilet lid to remind me it's there and not forget and sit down and plop it in the toilet and have to go fishing. Don't use that one, just use it as a reminder notice to yourself!) Change it out as needed. Found some very soft ones in a 30 pack off Amazon. Works great and zero of the issues I had with pads. (I also can't wear underwear or it tears the skin raw in the crease between groin and leg, in case you were wondering why leggings had to hold it there.) + To the fingertip person, some changes I had to make due to psoriasis causing literal holes in the tops of my nails: I keep under my nails, right against the part where fingernail and nail attach moisturized. If I notice it's starting to lift, I go heavy on the lotion before bed and use a bandaid to kinda hold the nail down against the nail bed. A few days of that and it seems to self-repair and reattach 90% of the time. For the tops of my nails, the best thing I ever did was start wearing Colorstreet. It's nailpolish that comes in strips (not stickers!!!!) and they even have completely clear and a matte polish you can put over it to make it look 100% like nothing is on your nail. It covers the hole and keeps grossness out, stays on for 2-3 weeks at a time, and has helped my nails heal the holes and divots over time. Added benefit, I have tons of horrible 'shredding' the tips of my nails like to do that's apparently psoriasis related (per dermatologist) and it contains that since you have something helping structural integrity. - This all began to help before I ever had Humira, by the way! (I am in no way affiliated with Colorstreet and it's not marketed to help such things, so this is only my personal experience with it.) + To the person who can't use toilet paper and was using wipes. Sincerely, get yourself a bidet attachment (like Tushy). I got one and it's the best thing I ever did for my genital psoriasis/liechen planus issues. I was a raw disaster before getting it. I now have a spare I take with me on vacation, too! Super inexpensive fix you'll never regret. I only use TP to pat dry now and keep wipes in my purse for public (by the way StallMates are the only ones I've found that don't burn like crazy and they even come in single use packages if you only need them sometimes. Sincerely, look into it!). I hope this helps someone. 
1. DianeT Moderator & Contributor
 <inline-mention username="Alexandria" user-id="8536610"/> , thanks for sharing some great information as always. So sorry you are going through so much with this disease. I only got psoriasis on the lips as a teenager. This was one of the worst times of my life, so I thought. I used lots of moisturizers like Vaseline, Aquapor, topical vitamin D, corticosteroids and retinoids. I can't remember how long it lasted, but it went away and never came back. Have you talked to your dermatologist about this? We would like to hear more from you. Diane (Team Member)
2. CathyD Moderator
 <inline-mention username="Alexandria" user-id="8536610"/>, oh goodness, you have really been through it with all of this. I have been hearing that COVID may have been in various countries earlier than we all realised. Either way, it definitely sounds like some kind of infection triggered this all for you. Infections are a huge trigger for my psoriasis (and unfortunately one triggered psoriatic arthritis for me) so I can fully understand staying in lockdown currently, especially with being on a biologic. I'm on methotrexate and that, along with how horribly infections affect me, mean that I'm in the same boat. I'm still wearing masks and avoiding basically everyone haha. Do you feel comfortable sharing which other autoimmune diseases you are dealing with? I know infections can be a trigger for so many of them. I was born with "cradle cap" which never went away and was later diagnosed as scalp psoriasis. I don't know if it was psoriasis the whole time or if the cradle cap irritation triggered my scalp psoriasis at some point. Either way, I definitely had psoriasis by the age of 4. I usually say I've had psoriasis since forever! I don't know if I've ever had psoriasis on my lips - anytime the seasons change I get dry, red, cracked skin in the corners of my mouth and extremely dry lips, and then when the season settles this goes away. I usually just use Vaseline or there's a lip cream by Blistex called Blistex Relief Cream which I find really effective and soothing. Again, I don't know if this is actually psoriasis so I'm not sure how helpful that recommendation will be! I can see <inline-mention username="DianeT" user-id="3345467"/> mentioned some other options in her comment. Hopefully the transition back to the other biologic might help with your lips. It must be so uncomfortable. If you have the time and energy, you could try posting about lip psoriasis over in the forums area of the website, where more people may see your comment: <a href='https://plaquepsoriasis.com/forums' target='_blank'>https://plaquepsoriasis.com/forums</a> . Thanks so much for sharing more of your journey with us all. I always think it must be such a shock to have psoriasis pop up out of nowhere. Please remember that we're all here anytime you need support. Warmest wishes, -Catherine, Community Moderator