Skin Health More Skin Conditions Is Your Groin Irritation from Heat Rash? By Ashley Braun, MPH, RD Ashley Braun, MPH, RD Ashley Braun, MPH, RD, is a registered dietitian and health content writer with over 5 years of experience educating patients on chronic diseases using science-based information. Learn about our editorial process Updated on April 08, 2023 Medically reviewed by Leah Ansell, MD Medically reviewed by Leah Ansell, MD LinkedIn Leah Ansell, MD, is board-certified in cosmetic and medical dermatology. She is an assistant professor at Columbia University and works in private practice in New York City. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Symptoms Other Causes Diagnosis Treatment When to See a Doctor Heat rash on the groin is a common skin condition that can affect anyone—from infants to older adults. It's also referred to as miliaria, sweat rash, and prickly heat. However, there are multiple other conditions that can cause a skin rash on the groin, such as chafing, atopic dermatitis, jock itch, psoriasis, and pityriasis rosea. This article explains the symptoms and treatment of heat rash and other conditions that can cause groin irritation. Verywell / Laura Porter A-Z List of Rashes Heat Rash Symptoms Heat rash in adults or children usually develops in areas where clothing causes friction or skin rubs together, such as skinfolds, armpits, elbow creases, the groin, thighs, or behind the knees. In infants, the rash usually develops on the neck, shoulders, and chest. The rash can range from mild to severe, and how it is referred to is based on the symptoms a person has and the appearance of the rash. Heat rash can take three forms, including: Miliaria crystallina is the mildest form of heat rash, only affecting the top layer of skin. It appears as small clear or white bumps filled with fluid on the skin. The fluid in the bumps is sweat that is stuck under the skin from a blocked pore. The bumps easily burst. This type of heat rash usually is not painful.Miliaria rubra is the most common form of heat rash. It affects deeper layers of skin and causes an inflammatory response. The rash causes red bumps, which may fill with pus. Other symptoms include itching, a prickling sensation, soreness, inflammation, and lack of sweat in the area.Miliaria profunda is the rarest form of heat rash and affects the deepest layer of skin. It’s more likely to develop in people who have experienced multiple heat rashes. The inflammation progresses to larger, firm, flesh-colored bumps. The bumps are not centered around a pore because they form from sweat that is leaking from a sweat gland into the surrounding skin. What Is "Disney Rash?" Other Causes of Groin Rashes There are several conditions that can cause irritation in the groin area. These conditions might be mistaken for heat rash. Psoriasis Psoriasis is an inflammatory condition that causes skin cells to build up and form patches on the skin. The patches are usually red and develop white or silvery scales. The skin is dry, itchy, and may bleed. The patches can appear anywhere on the body, but psoriasis usually affects the scalp, elbows, knees, and lower back. Chafing Chafing develops from skin rubbing against skin or clothing. The outer layer of skin becomes irritated and breaks down. Symptoms of chafing include redness, bumps, stinging, blisters, bleeding, and warm and peeling skin. While chafing can be mistaken for heat rash, they do not occur for the same reasons. Chafing happens when the skin becomes damaged. Heat rash is caused by blocked pores. Irritation or Allergic Reaction An itchy, red rash can happen when your skin comes into contact an irritant or a substance to which you're allergic. This skin reaction is known as contact dermatitis. Atopic vs. Contact Dermatitis: How They Differ Atopic Dermatitis Eczema (atopic dermatitis) is a chronic skin condition caused by an overactive immune response. It causes itchy, red, dry, and cracked skin. It can also cause blisters. People with eczema tend to have sensitive skin. Their symptoms can be triggered by foods, soap, pollen, and fragrances in products. The Stages of Eczema Jock Itch Jock itch is a skin condition that is caused by a fungal infection that produces an itchy, red rash on the groin. Fungal infections are more likely to develop in warm and moist areas like skinfolds, armpits, and the groin. An Overview of Genital Rashes Vaginal Yeast Infection Vaginal yeast infections are caused by the overgrowth of a fungus called Candida, especially Candida albicans, that naturally resides on the skin. Symptoms can include itching, burning, or abnormal discharge. Pityriasis Rosea Pityriasis rosea is a small, scaly rash. It first appears on the torso and spreads to the upper arms, thighs, or neck. The rash might itch, especially when a person is exercising or gets hot. Diagnosis Your primary care provider will likely be able to diagnose heat rash by examining the affected area. If doctors suspect another condition, they might order a blood test or take a sample of the affected area for testing. They may also refer you to a dermatologist—a doctor who specializes in skin conditions—to help diagnose or treat the rash. What Causes Pain in Your Groin? Treatment Treating a rash depends on what is causing it. However, many skin conditions in the groin area can be helped by keeping the skin dry, wearing breathable clothing, avoiding irritants, and using anti-itch creams. Mild heat rash can be easily treated at home by keeping the skin cool and dry. Try to avoid heating the area until it’s healed. If the area is itchy, stinging, or painful, ointments and creams are available that can help soothe your symptoms, including: Calamine lotionAnhydrous lanolinTopical steroids Other steps that you can take to help ease the symptoms of heat rash and give your skin a chance to heal include: Wear loose-fitting and moisture-wicking clothing.Avoid lotions and creams that clog pores (like petroleum jelly).Change out of wet or sweaty clothing as soon as possible.Take cool showers quickly after sweating. How to Get Rid of Heat Rash In severe cases, heat rash can become infected. If this happens, the pus-filled bumps may need to be drained by your healthcare provider. If your rash is caused by another condition, you will need different treatment—though some aspects might be similar, including: Chafing can be treated by changing into dry clothing quickly after getting sweaty or wet, wearing loose clothing, reducing friction, and keeping the area cool.Jock itch can be treated with antifungal creams.Psoriasis can be managed by lightly exfoliating the skin and using ointments and creams.Eczema symptoms can be managed with anti-itch creams and lotions. Pictures of Common Skin Rashes When to See a Doctor Most cases of heat rash clear up with good hygiene and keeping the area cool. However, if you have signs of an infection, you'll need to talk to your doctor. Signs that heat rash has become infected include: Pain, swelling, and warmth around the affected skinOozing or draining pusFever or chills Do You Need to See a Doctor About Your Rash? Blocked sweat glands can affect your body’s ability to regulate your body temperature, which could lead to overheating and heat exhaustion. Signs of heat exhaustion include: DizzinessFaintness or passing outWeak, rapid pulseSweatingLow blood pressureMuscle crampsNausea and vomitingConfusion If you’re experiencing heat exhaustion, move to a cooler place and rest. If your symptoms do not improve, seek medical attention. What to Do If Your Child Has Heat Rash 5 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Guerra KC, Toncar A, Krishnamurthy K. Miliaria. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing Rendon A, Schäkel K. Psoriasis pathogenesis and treatment. IJMS. 2019;20(6):1475. doi:10.3390/ijms20061475 El-Gohary M, van Zuuren EJ, Fedorowicz Z, et al. Topical antifungal treatments for tinea cruris and tinea corporis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2014;(8):CD009992.doi:10.1002/14651858.CD009992.pub2. MedlinePlus. Vaginal yeast infection. Villalon-Gomez JM. Pityriasis rosea: diagnosis and treatment. By Ashley Braun, MPH, RD Ashley Braun, MPH, RD, is a registered dietitian and public health professional with over 5 years of experience educating people on health-related topics using evidence-based information. Her experience includes educating on a wide range of conditions, including diabetes, heart disease, HIV, neurological conditions, and more. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Medical Expert Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! What is your feedback? Other Helpful Report an Error Submit