Ongoing painful red groin areas..need advice!

[andydandy]

About 6 yrs ago my daily inhaler stopped working & I was diagnosed with a pneumoniae & on very strong antibiotics.  A red blotch appeared under arm..family Dr gave me Diflucan saying candida.  Was having breathing problems but after 1 pill of Diflucan I really had trouble breathing & went to ER  Blood gas was 84 so kept me & suggested a change of pulminologists.
That began a long struggle with an eventual diagnosis of ABPA and placed on prednisone...15 mg every other day.  During that time i had a bout of this red blotchy sore area in groin.  Again candida...prescribed Clotrimazole & Betamethasone Dipropionate cream. It seems to come & go. (In 2011 had colonoscopy an esophageal check & candida was found in esophagus!  That year was able to get off of prednisone and next esophagus check the following year showed no candida!
Back on prednisone this year & red area in groin has come roaring back!  I have lost 80 lbs over past couple years (lost appetite..a blessing) but left with a horrible stomach area with a roll of fat near groin area...this candid also spreads under that area probably from moisture?
Questions:  My pulminologist prescribed Nystatin awhile back...which is better..the above or Nystatin?  After reaction to Diflucan am afraid to try again.  Is there any other remedy.  Of late cream doesn't seem to work but maybe I am not being diligent enough caring for the area.  Sometimes I lay gauze in area to absorb the seeping & moisture.  Is that wise?
Last of all, is there any danger that this could turn into something more serious?  I have never gone to dermatologist for this...should I?  Drs I have gone too have felt it was candida from antibiotics & prednisone.
Any advice you might have would be greatly appreciated.

[andydandy]

Thank you very much for the response!  Last week this area was raging and so sore, seeping but...never itching.  So I have been very diligent every day washing, drying  & using Nystatin.  Then I applied Gold Bond powder or a powder that was given to me at the hospital one time, I think.  I used to absorb the seeping.  Seemed to work.  It is much better but still not perfect... the skin is still very red.  I skipped one day...and could feel difference!   The Nystatin is nearly gone...so will try some of the remedy's you mentioned.  
I am 74...not sure if that has any bearing on this except possibly my immune system isn't quite what is used to be.  Am thinking a dermatologist in order to determine exactly what this is?  Your thought on that? Will they be able to tell by looking?  I'll watch for your response & be persistent with the daily care!

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
This reddish discoloration can be due to contact dermatitis or due to intertrigo as well. Keep the area clean and apply some topical antiseptics. Also wear loose-fitting cotton clothing and use an antibacterial soap or mild soap like dove. Avoid any kind of cosmetics. Topical zinc oxide cream like Sudocrem, Desitin are very helpful (apply with a paper towel and not directly with hands).Application of mild steroid cream like dermacort also helps. For the itching take some over the counter antihistaminic like benadryl or Claritin.In case the symptoms persist then antifungals may be needed.

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.