winter itch or what?

[Joetesh12]

Hello Doctors,

I was hoping to get some insight into a problem I am having with itching and redness I get every once in a while, in particular around the elastic band of my underwear hugs my body, just above my buttocks. About myself, I am a healthy male but struggle with smoking. I have a tendency to start and stop smoking and I seem to have this problem, around the time I am either smoking cigarettes or cigars. I am not sure it is relevant but I thought I would add the information.

This condition seems to happen in both cold and hot weather. The first time I noticed it, I was on vacation in a warm dry climate. The air temperature was in the 90's and I would take long walks in this weather. I do not typically if ever apply moisterizing creams to myself. Upon returning from these walks, I would notice that the area around the band on my underpants was very red and itchy. Interestingly enough, the redness is almost totally consistant with where the band is, and it is very rarely about the band.

I am having this problem again, Lately I have been smoking and I have tried to stop. The weather is very cold and dry where I am. I do not apply moisterizers on myself. I noticed the area around my underwear band was very red, and itchy. The area around the band seemed a little swollen and raised. I don't know if this is determitis, eczema, or hives, but it is annoying.

I started to apply hydrocortisone, and it seems to relieve the itch, I am also applying moisterizing creams. After applying the hydrocortizone the itching seems to go down, but it wears off and the itching is sometimes very intense in the evening. Again, applying creams and hydrocortizone stops the itch. I have had this for about three days, with no other symptoms. Little by little the use of the creams and hydro is started to get rid of it. But is is weird because all of a sudden this redness appears, like a rash with itch.

Can you tell me what this is? Is it Winter Itch? Does the itch I had in winter the same as what I had in the summer, because it appears around the band on my underwear? Does smoking or an attempt to quit smoking have anything to do with the onset of these symptoms?

Thanks

CJ

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
From the symptoms it can be due to contact dermatitis, allergic reaction or eczema. Take some oral antihistaminic like Benadryl or Claritin and apply some calamine lotion and steroid cream on the rash. Also wear cotton underwears with cotton bands in which the skin is not in contact with the elastic band.

If the symptoms persist then please get an evaluation done from a dermatologist.
I hope it helps. Take care and regards.

[Joetesh12]

ANy ideas, you help is very much appreciated!

[Joetesh12]

I thought I might add that the underwear that I wear, typically is elastic, but the brief itself is cotton. I do not always have a bad reaction with the elastic band. I am simply thinking that with really dry weather and dry skin you get this condition

[Joetesh12]

Anybody can respond