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Rash on Inner Thigh: Causes, Pictures, Symptoms & Treatment

A rash on inner thigh can be itchy, painful, circular and red.  What causes rashes inside thigh? Is a red itchy circular rash between thighs a symptom of Sexually Transmitted Disease? In this article, we have provided information on the causes and treatment for inner thigh rash. We also have pictures that vividly describe the symptoms of thigh rash in male and female.

Rash on Inner Thigh
Rash on Inner Thigh

A rash is a skin lesion that is characterized by changes in skin color, appearance or texture. A rash can be localized in one part of the body such as the thigh, near the groin, buttocks or pubic. Rashes can as well affect the whole skin causing the skin to itch, become warm, blistered, inflamed, and may be painful.

The causes and treatment for skin rash tend to vary widely. While diagnosis is taken, the appearance of the rash, plus other symptoms are taken into account. The common causes of rashes include: food allergy, skin diseases, sunburn, irritation, STDs, insect bites etc. we shall cover on the causes including treatment.

Inner thigh rash symptoms

If you have a rash on your inner thigh, you are likely to experience symptoms such as:

  • Itchiness
  • Blisters forming in severe cases
  • Irritation of skin on inner thigh
  • Inflammation
  • Burning sensation
  • A severe allergic reaction on inner thigh can lead to breathlessness
  • Pain and discomfort while walking
  • Change of the skin texture, color, appearance
  • Red circular bumps on the skin

The symptoms above can be associated with medical diseases such as psoriasis, impetigo and eczema. Autoimmune disease can also be linked to inner thigh rashes.

Inner thigh rash images

Understanding appearances of inner thigh rash can help you treat the underlying causes. To help you understand rash on inner thigh, below we have inserted a picture. We have more photos throughout the post to provide in-depth understanding.

Rash on Inner Thigh Picure
Rash on Inner Thigh Picure

Possible Causes:

Why do I have a rash on my inner thigh? This could be the question worrying you. There are a number of causes of skin rashes inside the legs near the groin in both male and female. The causes may range from mild to severe case such as infections. Below here are some of the possible reasons.

1. Contact dermatitis

Inner thigh rash may occur whenever your skin gets in contact with irritants. Exposure to certain soaps, creams, lotions, fabrics and chemical can lead to irritation on the skin on inner thigh. Contact dermatitis is a condition described as an inflammation of the skin resulting from undesirable products or irritants. The rash on thigh can be due to use of mentioned products. The reaction may cause burning, itching, tenderness, swelling or soreness on the affected skin on inner thigh.

2. Rash on inner thigh allergy

Inner thigh rash can be caused by allergic reaction. Allergy to food and/or certain medication can cause your body to have rashes including your inner thighs. It is difficult to know which food cause the reaction on your skin. However, some common foods such as avocado, peanut, shellfish, strawberry are likely to be the agents of these reactions thus rashes.

Allergic to food can be mild thus causing no major harm on your health. But in some unfortunate cases, it can be life- threatening affecting organs like kidney, heart, intestines and joints. Some of the symptoms include: vomiting, problem in breathing and sweating profusely.

3. STDs rashes on inner thigh

Rashes inside thigh near the groin can be the symptom of sexually transmitted diseases. Syphilis, warts and genital herpes can be the reason your inner thigh has rashes. These red spots appear near the genitals and may spread to the near regions of inner thigh. Sores, blisters and/or ulcers near the groin are the first symptoms of STIs. If you have a rash inside thigh neat the groin, do not have sexual contact with your partner. This will reduce the risk of spreading the infections to sexual partner.

4. Insect bites

Another possible cause for inner thigh could be insect bites. These bites do not last for long, they tend to heal within hours after the bites. Bites from insect such as bed bugs, mosquitos or ant are small bumps or rashes. You are likely to experience itching and some discomfort. Medical attention may be required if the symptoms begin to worsen.

5. Fungal Infection, Jock itch

A rash inside thigh can be caused by a fungal infection primarily jock itch. Also known as tinea cruris, jock itch is a common fungal skin condition typically characterized by very intense itch. The symptoms include red or pink rash on inner thighs near the groins or genitals. It is a skin condition that primarily affect more men than women because of the men anatomic structures.

Jock itch is commonly seen in healthy people, diabetics or obese are at higher risk. Possible reason for this fungal infection or jock itch includes irritation from wearing tight underpants, sweating, moisture, allergic reaction, candida infection, and overgrowth of bacteria on inner thigh.

Treatment include use of antifungal creams applied on inner thigh and the affected skin. Treatment that is not related to fungus involves proper groin and inner thigh hygiene.

6. Eczema inner thigh

Eczema or atopic dermatitis is one of the causes of inner thigh rash. This is a chronic skin condition that results from hypersensitivity of the skin. The outcome is erythema, pruritus, skin dryness, and swelling. In more severe cases, blisters can occur with either hyper or hypopigmentation of the affected skin. Scratching can turn the inner thigh red, feeling itching burning and leather-like.

7. Heat rash

Excessive heat and sweat could be another cause for rash on inner thigh. Heat rash is characterized the blockage of sweat glands. The inability of the sweat being excreted through the pores of the skin on inner thigh can lead to inflammation, blisters and appearance of itchy rashes inside thighs. Other possible cause of heat include fabrics, humid weather, increased friction on inner thigh, immaturely developed sweat glands, overheating etc.

8. Shaving

Itchy rash on inner thigh can develop as an effect of shaving. You are most likely to get rashes between legs after shaving using razors. Razor bumps appearing as red pruritic spots, erythematous will develop on the thigh. To avoid blisters from developing, treat the rash on time and keep an optimal inner thigh hygienic condition.

9. Activities like cycling and jogging

If you engage in intense physical activities that involve the thigh muscles, you are likely to end up with thigh rashes. This happen especially from sweat and heat rash. Cycling and jogging tend to cause friction and rubbing of inner thighs. The rash can be itchy especially if the sweat glands on inner thigh are blocked. Red patches or blisters will develop due constant rubbing of the skin on thighs.

In severe cases, these skin lesion tend to form blisters with pus trapped inside. If left neglected, the rashes may result to large, swollen and painful abscesses.

10. Shingles

A painful rash on inner thigh can be due to shingles. This is a viral infection that can occur anywhere on your body including inner thigh. Shingles appear as a single stripe of blisters on the surface of the skin. This condition is caused by a virus called varicella – zoster, a similar virus that is known to cause chickenpox.

Symptoms include pain, burning, a red rash, itching and blisters that break open and crust over time. Some people are also likely to experience fever, headache, fatigue and sensitivity to light. Although there is no cure for shingles, you could use available treatment to relieve the severity of the symptoms.

Try covering the rash on inner thigh with a non –adherent dressing to reduce the risk of spreading the virus. Painkillers such as paracetamol, ibuprofen or codeine can be used to relieve pain.

Itchy rash on inner thigh female

Itchy rash on inner thigh female can be caused by one of the discussed causes above. Fungal infections like candida or yeast can be the cause of itchy rash on female inner thigh. Rubbing (intertrigo) of the inner thighs in female can also cause rash in female. Although more common in males than in females, jock itch or fungal rash can also lead to itchy inner thigh rash. Thus, there many types of skin conditions that can results in rashes in groin and inner thigh in females.

Treatment will depend on the underlying cause. If the cause if by fungus, there are a number of topical and oral medication that can help to eliminate the fungus. You can use antifungal shampoo on the affected are at least twice a day after bathing.

 Red circular rash on inner thigh near groin male

Inner thigh rash on male near the groin can be due to a number of causes most of which we’ve discussed. One of the most cause for a red circular inner thigh rash on male is jock itch. It is a form of a ringworm, a fungal infection of the outer layer of the skin. The skin affected by this fungus appear as a rash with patches that tend to be circular and red.

The fungus causing jock itch grows best in warm, moist areas of the body including the groin, inner thighs and buttocks. Some of the symptoms include:

  • Itching and pain
  • A rash on inner thigh, near groin, skin folds or buttocks
  • The rash may have a red-brown color at the center.

If the cause of rash on male thigh is jock itch, you can treat it at home with antifungal creams and powder. Here’s how to treat jock itch at home:

  • Wash the inner thigh rash with soap and water
  • Spread an antifungal cream over the rash
  • Apply the cream on the edges of the rash

Inner thigh rash treatment, cure 

Treatment of inner thigh rash will depend upon the underlying cause, and that is why it widely varies. Some of the available treatment include:

Anti-allergic drugs

If the cause or rash on inner thigh is by allergy, then anti-allergic drugs are prescribed to minimize the allergy and skin rashes. Drugs such as antihistamine helps to minimize skin flare up reducing the itching and redness of the rash on skin.

Anti-fungal drugs

Fungal infections such as jock itch on inner thigh near the groin in male and female can be cured by anti-fungal ointment, cream or powder. This can be treated at home without necessarily getting prescription from the doctor. Apply anti-fungal powder or cream twice a day to cure the inner thigh rash.

The itching associated with the rash can be taken care of with over- the- counter creams such as hydrocortisone cream.

Immunosuppressant drugs

You may as well use drugs such as cyclosporine to lessen the severity of psoriasis fading away the rashes. While using this class of drugs, strict medical supervision is required. These drugs are known to damage and have an effect on blood pressure.

How to Get Rid Rash on inner thigh with home remedies

Home remedies can be effective to reduce itching and other symptoms associated with rash inside thigh.

  • Washing the inner thigh with chamomile tea can help reduce irritation thus treating rashes.
  • Apply apple cider vinegar to treat allergic reactions on skin. A tablespoonful of apple cider vinegar and honey can be mixed in hot water. You can use it as bathwater.
  • Application of olive oil is effective to soothe rash on inner thigh. It can also help to reduce the redness on the affected skin.
  • Use body cleansing herbs such Neem, licorice and holy basil to help get rid of rashes on the skin and toxins from the body.
  • Topical application of aloe Vera can help remove bacterial growth thus reducing inner thigh rash.

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Published in Rash