Genital Rashes Quiz
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Redness of the skin
Rashes
Itchy
There is a sore
Itching
Red spots on skin
Itch
Not seeing your symptoms? No worries!
What is Genital Rashes?
This condition occurs when the genital skin becomes itchy and inflamed.
Typical Symptoms of Genital Rashes
- Itchy skin
- Itchiness around the vagina
- Pain or discomfort in the genital area
- Itching of the penis
- Ulcers in the genital area
- Increased vaginal discharge that is smelly
- Skin problems
- Abnormal color, amount or odor of vaginal discharge
Diagnostic Questions for Genital Rashes
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this disease:
- Do you have itchy skin?
- Are you experiencing itchiness around your vagina?
- Are you experiencing pain or discomfort in your genital area?
- Do you feel an itch in your penis?
- Do you have any ulcers in your genital area?
Treatment of Genital Rashes
Treatment varies depending on the cause. Usually, using creams can alleviate symptoms.
Reviewed By:
Scott Nass, MD, MPA, FAAFP, AAHIVS (Primary Care)
Dr. Nass received dual medical degrees from the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA and Charles R. Drew University in Medicine and Science. He completed Family Medicine residency at Ventura County Medical Center with subsequent fellowships at Ventura, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, George Washington University, and University of California-Irvine. He holds faculty appointments at Keck School of Medicine of USC, Loma Linda University School of Medicine, and Western University of Health Sciences.
Yukiko Ueda, MD (Dermatology)
Dr. Ueda graduated from the Niigata University School of Medicine and trained at the University of Tokyo Medical School. She is currently a clinical assistant professor at the Department of Dermatology, Jichi Medical University, and holds several posts in the dermatology departments at Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Komagome Hospital, University of Tokyo, and the Medical Center of Japan Red Cross Society.
Content updated on Feb 19, 2025
Following the Medical Content Editorial Policy
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This questionnaire is customized to your situation and symptoms, including the following personal information:
Biological Sex - helps us provide relevant suggestions for male vs. female conditions.
Age - adjusts our guidance based on any age-related health factors.
History - considers past illnesses, surgeries, family history, and lifestyle choices.
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People with similar symptoms also use Ubie's symptom checker to find possible causes
- Genital itch
- The skin is itchy and has scratches
- Pain around the vulva or vagina
- Skin itching that worsens at night
- Penis irritation
- Itchy vagina
- Itch is mild
- Genital ulcers (private parts)
- Pain in the genital area
- Pubic itching
- Scratching the skin
- Nighttime itch is worse
- Tip of penis burning
- Jock itch
- Persistent, mild itch
See full list
Symptoms Related to Genital Rashes
Diseases Related to Genital Rashes
FAQs
Q.
Cellulitis Symptoms: What It Looks Like, Feels Like, and When It Spreads
A.
Cellulitis is a bacterial skin infection that typically shows up as a warm, red, swollen, and painful patch with ill-defined edges on one side of the body; if it worsens, you may see red streaks, blisters, or skin darkening. Spreading redness, increasing pain, fever or chills, numbness, or involvement of the face or genital area need urgent medical care and antibiotics, and conditions like diabetes or poor circulation can change the right next steps. There are several factors to consider. See below for complete details that can guide what you do next.
References:
* Mistry, R. D., & Thaler, D. E. (2023). Cellulitis and Erysipelas. *New England Journal of Medicine*, *388*(12), 1114–1122. doi:10.1056/NEJMcp2207436
* Raff, A. B., & Kroshinsky, D. (2015). Differentiating cellulitis from its mimics. *New England Journal of Medicine*, *372*(12), 1144–1152. doi:10.1056/NEJMra1402211
* Pasternack, M. S., & Swartz, M. N. (2019). Clinical progression of cellulitis treated with antibiotics: a systematic review and meta-analysis. *Clinical Infectious Diseases*, *68*(1), 15–23. doi:10.1093/cid/ciy519
* Jeng, A., Chen, S., & Hsueh, P. (2018). The clinical characteristics of bacterial cellulitis in adult patients. *American Journal of Emergency Medicine*, *36*(1), 15–18. doi:10.1016/j.ajem.2017.07.016
* Tan, C. S., Teo, Y. S., Lau, K. K., & Ho, K. K. (2024). The diagnosis and management of cellulitis: A systematic review. *Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology*. Advance online publication. doi:10.1111/jdv.19902
Q.
Cellulitis vs. a Bug Bite: How to Tell When Red Skin Is Getting Dangerous
A.
Spreading, hot, painful redness that worsens suggests cellulitis, while a simple bug bite is mostly itchy, small, and improves within a few days. Seek care promptly if redness is rapidly expanding, the area is very tender and warm, you have fever, red streaks, facial or genital involvement, or a weakened immune system; early antibiotics help prevent complications. There are several factors to consider that could change your next steps; see below for important details.
References:
* Raff, A. B., & Kroshinsky, D. (2021). Cellulitis: A Review. *JAMA*, *325*(12), 1157-1165.
* Loo, M., & Perera, P. (2020). Cellulitis mimics: differentiating cellulitis from other causes of red leg. *Emergency Medicine Australasia*, *32*(6), 940-946.
* Goldstein, E. J. C., Citron, D. M., & Abrahamian, F. M. (2015). Bites: bacterial infections and cellulitis. *British Journal of Dermatology*, *173*(2), 346-353.
* McKenzie, J., et al. (2016). Insect bites. *BMJ Clinical Evidence*, *2016*.
* Stevens, D. L., et al. (2014). Practice Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Skin and Soft Tissue Infections: 2014 Update by the Infectious Diseases Society of America. *Clinical Infectious Diseases*, *59*(2), e10-e52.
Q.
Do I Need Antibiotics for Cellulitis? When Home Care Isn’t Enough
A.
Most cellulitis needs antibiotics because it is a bacterial infection in deeper skin layers; home care like elevation, wound care, and pain relief can support healing but is rarely enough once redness is spreading or symptoms persist beyond 24 to 48 hours. There are several factors to consider, including worsening redness or swelling, moderate to severe pain, fever or chills, drainage, infection near the eyes, face, or genitals, and conditions that weaken the immune system. See below for important details on when to seek urgent care, how doctors choose antibiotics and for how long, complications of delaying treatment, common look-alikes that do not need antibiotics, and prevention steps that could change your next best move.
References:
* Pasternack MS, Kradin RL. Management of cellulitis in adults: a review. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2023 Mar;88(3):614-622. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2022.09.020. Epub 2022 Sep 23. PMID: 36720188.
* Stevens DL, Bryant AE. Cellulitis and Erysipelas. Infect Dis Clin North Am. 2022 Sep;36(3):623-644. doi: 10.1016/j.idc.2022.03.003. Epub 2022 May 20. PMID: 35606114.
* Rios-Fabra A, Al-Olabi M, Al-Olabi S, et al. Cellulitis and erysipelas: a practical review. Cleve Clin J Med. 2020 Jul 1;87(7):405-413. doi: 10.3949/ccjm.87a.19069. PMID: 32669485.
* Quinn J, Kahan J. Erysipelas and cellulitis: a clinical review. CMAJ. 2016 Dec 13;188(18):E548-E555. doi: 10.1503/cmaj.160100. Epub 2016 Oct 18. PMID: 27909395.
* Liu C, Bayer A, Cosgrove SA, et al. Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Skin and Soft Tissue Infections: 2014 Update by the Infectious Diseases Society of America. Clin Infect Dis. 2014 Jul 15;59(2):e10-52. doi: 10.1093/cid/ciu296. Epub 2014 Jun 18. PMID: 24976470.
Q.
How Fast Does Cellulitis Get Worse? A Timeline of What to Watch For
A.
Cellulitis can get worse quickly, often progressing within 24 to 48 hours if untreated, starting with spreading redness, warmth, swelling, and tenderness, and potentially escalating by 2 to 3 days to fever, significant pain, red streaks, and sometimes serious complications. Antibiotics usually stop the spread and bring improvement within 24 to 48 hours, but seek urgent care for rapidly spreading redness, high fever, severe pain, facial or eye involvement, or if symptoms worsen after 48 hours; there are several factors that can change the timeline and your next steps, like diabetes, poor circulation, or immune problems. See the detailed timeline, red flags, and what to do next below.
References:
* Chung-Pin Li, Po-Jen Li, Tzu-Wen Yeh, Chieh-Hsiang Lu, Tsung-Yen Chang, Ching-Hsuan Lee, et al. Clinical features and outcome of cellulitis requiring hospitalization: a prospective study. J Infect. 2011 May;62(5):378-85. doi: 10.1016/j.jinf.2011.02.008. Epub 2011 Mar 12. PMID: 21396956.
* Hao S, Liu J, Su D, Guo C, Gao S, Gao M, et al. Risk factors for severe cellulitis requiring intensive care unit admission. J Dermatol. 2020 Jan;47(1):16-22. doi: 10.1111/1346-8138.15132. Epub 2019 Oct 9. PMID: 31599427.
* May L, Werth V. Cellulitis: update on diagnosis, microbiology, and management. Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther. 2019 Apr;17(4):257-269. doi: 10.1080/14787210.2019.1594916. Epub 2019 Mar 21. PMID: 30890184.
* Chang CP, Su YC, Tsai YF, Huang YK, Huang HC, Lee MH. Early signs and symptoms of necrotizing fasciitis: A retrospective review of 62 patients with cellulitis. J Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2013 Aug;75(2):296-9. doi: 10.1097/TA.0b013e3182987a03. PMID: 23681545.
* Bøttger-Madsen E, Stjernholm P, Lind B. Necrotizing fasciitis: a rapid progression from cellulitis. Scand J Infect Dis. 2005;37(2):142-4. doi: 10.1080/00365540410020164. PMID: 15720165.
Q.
Is This Cellulitis? The “Red Flags” That Mean You Should Go to Urgent Care Today
A.
Cellulitis is a bacterial skin infection that typically causes spreading redness, warmth, swelling, and pain; seek urgent care today if the redness spreads quickly, the pain is severe, fever reaches 101 F or higher, you see red streaks, or there is pus, blackened skin, numbness, facial or eye swelling, confusion, or a fast heartbeat. There are several factors to consider; the complete checklist and what to expect from treatment are below. Do not wait if you have diabetes or poor circulation, are immunocompromised, the area involves the face genitals or near the eyes, it followed an animal or human bite, or you recently had surgery. For crucial details that can change your next steps, including diagnosis tips, lookalikes that are not cellulitis, and prevention advice, see below.
References:
* Patel S, Khoujah D. Cellulitis: A Review for the Emergency Physician. Emerg Med Clin North Am. 2021 Nov;39(4):857-872. doi: 10.1016/j.emc.2021.07.001. PMID: 34794625.
* Weng QY, Raff AB, Cohen JM, et al. Mimics of Cellulitis: What Every Physician Should Know. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2020 Aug;21(4):541-558. doi: 10.1007/s40257-020-00512-5. PMID: 32095907.
* Gunderson CG, Wright SW. Erysipelas and Cellulitis: Recognition and Management. Infect Dis Clin North Am. 2021 Dec;35(4):861-871. doi: 10.1016/j.idc.2021.07.006. PMID: 34753597.
* Sklavounos A, Marone C, Emonet S, et al. When to worry about cellulitis: a prospective study of 685 patients. BMC Infect Dis. 2021 Nov 29;21(1):1199. doi: 10.1186/s12879-021-06900-3. PMID: 34844473.
* Singh S, Nanjappa M, Shah S. Necrotizing soft tissue infections versus cellulitis: An emergency perspective. Emerg Med Australas. 2017 Feb;29(1):15-21. doi: 10.1111/1742-6723.12700. PMID: 28164627.
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Link to full study:
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.08.29.24312810v1References
Hammerschlag Y, et al. (2022). Monkeypox infection presenting as genital rash, Australia, May 2022. Euro surveillance : bulletin Europeen sur les maladies transmissibles = European communicable disease bulletin.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35656835/Kalantzi S, et al. (2022). Genital Herpes Zoster: A Report of a Rare Case. Cureus.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39583349/Chetwood JD, et al. (2022). Genital rash: A manifestation of metastatic Crohn's disease. Clinical case reports.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39165494/