### Identifying and Treating Genital Eczema Eczema can cause your skin to become red, itchy, flaky, and cracked. It can appear almost anywhere on your body, including the shaft of your penis and the nearby genital area. There are three main types of dermatitis that can affect this area: atopic dermatitis, irritant contact dermatitis, and seborrheic dermatitis. #### Symptoms to Watch For Common symptoms of eczema include redness, itchiness, flaky skin, and cracking. These symptoms can also appear if you have a sexually transmitted infection (STI), so it's important to consider your sexual activity and any new partners. #### Home Remedies for Relief If your symptoms are mild, you can try the following home remedies: - **Cold Compress**: Use a damp cloth or towel with cold water and press it gently against the affected area for about 20 minutes. - **Oatmeal Bath**: Add a cup of colloidal oatmeal to a warm bath to reduce itchiness. - **Anti-Itch Cream**: Apply an over-the-counter cream with at least 1% hydrocortisone. - **Allergy Medications**: Take mild allergy medications like diphenhydramine (Benadryl) or cetirizine (Zyrtec). #### When to See a Doctor If your symptoms don't improve within a week or if you notice other unusual symptoms, see your doctor. They can diagnose eczema by examining the rash and may prescribe treatments like calcineurin inhibitors, oral corticosteroids, antibiotics, injectable treatments, or phototherapy. #### Preventing Flare-Ups To reduce the risk of flare-ups, learn your triggers and avoid them. Wear loose-fitting, comfortable underwear and pants, use natural lotions, avoid harsh soaps, and keep your indoor humidity levels balanced. Eczema is not contagious, but scratching can lead to infections, so take care of your skin to prevent complications.