I was 'diagnosed' with psoriasis several months ago. I have have spots in my armpits, in and around the groin, on my penis, and one in the pit of one arm. The groin spots are occasionally itchy and tender. The irritated penile areas are often tender. The armpit spots are less itchy as of late. However, I suspect that the diagnosis may not have been accurate as the dermatologist barely looked at me, definitely did not want to see my groin area, did not take or analyze any skin samples and was fairly dismissive of my suggestions that it may actually be fungus-related.

These spots appeared about a year ago. The reason I feel it may be fungal related is that several events occurred around/in the weeks immediately preceding the outbreak: first, I lived in a house that had three pretty unclean cats (not mine) that were allowed to roam around outside freely. These cats' litterboxes were kept in my bathroom and often defecated and urinated in my shower and on the floor (The owner was fairly lazy, and I ended up having to clean up after the animals). I also started commuting to work by bicycle, and while sometimes I would change, I did not have access to a shower, and sometimes sat in damp clothes all day, wearing them as they dried on me at work. Third, I shared a washer/dryer with the cats' owner, and the dryer was broken for several months, forcing me to hang dry even my socks and underwear. Because of all these factors, I felt maybe it was fungal related. I tried over the counter creams for a bit, but I wasn't sure they were being effective (while I'd get some minor relief, the reddened and irritated skin persisted, and even seemed to spread at points).

The dermatologist I consulted dismissed my fungus theory without doing any tests simply from looking at one spot that I had on my upper body at the time (which has since disappeared and never returned), and because my attempt at over-the-counter self-treatment was ineffective. Instead he insisted I had psoriasis, and prescribed topical steroid creams (Fluocinonide and Hydrocortisone Valerate). Sometimes these work temporarily, but not permanently. He also did not even inspect me when I went for a follow-up visit.

As I am unfortunately in between insurers, I'm reluctant to spend even more out of pocket on another potentially lazy dermatologist.