Red scrotum syndrome: successful treatment with oral doxycycline.
BACKGROUND
Red scrotum syndrome often follows the prolonged application of topical corticosteroids to the scrotal area and is characterized by persistent erythema of the scrotum associated with severe itching, hyperalgesia, and a burning sensation. Several topical and systemic treatments have been used in the past without success.


OBJECTIVE
To assess the efficacy of oral doxycycline, in addition to corticosteroid abstinence, in the treatment of red scrotum syndrome.


METHODS
In a retrospective chart review, seven patients with red scrotum syndrome, who presented between 2004 and 2007 to the outpatient clinic at the American University of Beirut Medical Center, were identified as having been treated with oral doxycycline and steroid abstinence.


RESULTS
All patients reported significant improvement (between 50%and 80%) of their symptoms within 2 weeks of starting doxycycline and had marked improvement of the erythema and complete resolution of symptoms in a period ranging from 2 to 3 months.


CONCLUSIONS
We suggest that doxycycline may be effective in the treatment of red scrotum syndrome.
Abbas
Ossama
O
Department of Dermatology, American University of Beirut Medical Center, Beirut, Lebanon.
Kibbi
Abdul Ghani
AG
Chedraoui
Adele
A
Ghosn
Samer
S
D000279:Administration, Cutaneous; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004318:Doxycycline / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004890:Erythema / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008499:Medical Records; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012611:Scrotum / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D013577:Syndrome; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D004318:Doxycycline