Itchy testicles (itchy balls) are very common and usually come from irritation of the skin on the scrotum and groin, not the testicles inside.

Most common reasons your balls itch

  • Fungal infection (jock itch / tinea cruris): Warm, sweaty skin in tight underwear lets fungus grow, causing a red, ringā€‘shaped or patchy rash on the groin, inner thighs, or scrotum, often with burning or scaling.
  • Chafing and sweat: Friction from walking, running, or tight clothes plus moisture can make the skin sore, raw, and itchy even without a visible rash.
  • Intertrigo (skin fold irritation): Skinā€‘onā€‘skin rubbing in the folds between thighs, groin, and scrotum traps sweat and heat, leading to red, stinging, very itchy patches that can become infected.
  • Contact dermatitis (allergic/irritant reaction): New soap, shower gel, laundry detergent, scented wipes, condoms, lube, or deodorant powders can trigger an allergic rash on the scrotum that oozes or feels intensely itchy.
  • Yeast infection (candida): A different type of fungus that can cause red, itchy, sometimes moist rash in the groin and on the penis or scrotum, especially in warm, damp environments.
  • Dry skin or eczema: Some people get eczema on the genitals, which can itch badly and flare at night or with sweat and heat.
  • Sexually transmitted infections (STIs): Herpes, genital warts, chlamydia, trichomoniasis, and others can cause itching, burning, bumps, blisters, discharge, or pain.
  • Pubic lice (ā€œcrabsā€) or scabies: Tiny parasites on the skin or hair can cause intense itching, especially at night, often with small spots or bite marks.

Quick HTML table of common causes

html

<table>
  <thead>
    <tr>
      <th>Cause</th>
      <th>Typical signs</th>
      <th>Often linked to</th>
    </tr>
  </thead>
  <tbody>
    <tr>
      <td>Fungal infection (jock itch)</td>
      <td>Red, itchy rash on groin/thighs, may have a raised border or scaling [web:3][web:5]</td>
      <td>Sweat, tight clothing, sports, not drying well after washing [web:1][web:7]</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Chafing</td>
      <td>Raw, sore, burning or itchy skin where thighs and scrotum rub [web:3][web:9]</td>
      <td>Friction, long walks or runs, rough fabrics [web:4][web:6]</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Intertrigo</td>
      <td>Red, stinging rash in skin folds, may smell or weep if infected [web:3][web:5]</td>
      <td>Skin folds, heat, sweat, limited air circulation [web:3][web:9]</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Contact dermatitis</td>
      <td>Very itchy rash, sometimes blisters or oozes, appears after new product use [web:3][web:1]</td>
      <td>New soaps, detergents, wipes, condoms, lubricants [web:1][web:3]</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Yeast infection</td>
      <td>Red, itchy, sometimes moist or shiny rash in groin/genitals [web:3][web:5]</td>
      <td>Warm, moist skin, diabetes, recent antibiotics [web:5]</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Eczema</td>
      <td>Very itchy, dry or scaly patches, may flare at night [web:1][web:3]</td>
      <td>Sensitive skin, allergies, history of eczema [web:1]</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>STIs</td>
      <td>Itch with bumps, blisters, warts, discharge, burning when peeing [web:1][web:5][web:7]</td>
      <td>Unprotected sex, new or multiple partners [web:5][web:7]</td>
    </tr>
    <tr>
      <td>Pubic lice / scabies</td>
      <td>Intense itch, often worse at night, tiny spots or nits on hair [web:3][web:9]</td>
      <td>Close skin contact, sharing bedding or towels [web:9]</td>
    </tr>
  </tbody>
</table>

What you can do right now

These are general tips, not a diagnosis:

  1. Keep the area clean and dry.
    • Wash daily with lukewarm water and a mild, fragranceā€‘free soap, then pat dry gently.
 * Change underwear at least once a day, more if you sweat a lot.
  1. Switch up your clothes.
    • Wear loose, breathable cotton underwear and avoid very tight pants or synthetic fabrics that trap heat and sweat.
  1. Avoid products that might irritate.
    • Stop any new body wash, laundry detergent, fragranced wipes, powders, or sprays on your groin for a while to see if things improve.
  1. Try overā€‘theā€‘counter treatments (if safe for you).
    • For a suspected fungal rash (red, itchy patches in the groin), many people use an antifungal cream with clotrimazole or terbinafine for a couple of weeks.
 * For irritation without rash, a gentle, fragranceā€‘free moisturizer or barrier cream can sometimes help.
  1. Donā€™t scratch if you can help it.
    • Scratching can break the skin, spread infection, and actually make the itch worse.
 * Cool compresses (clean cloth with cool water) on the area may help calm the itch.

When to see a doctor or clinic

See a doctor, urgent care, or sexual health clinic soon if:

  • The itch lasts more than a week or two despite good hygiene and looser clothing.
  • You see a spreading red rash, blisters, bumps, open sores, or warts.
  • You have pain, swelling, fever, or the scrotum feels very tender.
  • There is discharge from the penis or it hurts when you pee.
  • You have had unprotected sex or a new partner and are worried about STIs.

A clinician can examine the skin, ask a few questions, and if needed do tests (for fungus, bacteria, STIs) and give targeted treatment such as prescription creams or antibiotics.

A quick way to think about it

  • Looks like a rash and youā€™re sweaty / wear tight clothes? Fungal infection, chafing, or intertrigo are more likely.
  • Started after a new soap, detergent, condom, or lube? Contact dermatitis is possible.
  • Itch plus bumps, blisters, discharge, or recent unprotected sex? Get checked for STIs and donā€™t wait.

Because I canā€™t see you or examine the skin, this canā€™t replace a real medical evaluation. If the itching is strong, keeps coming back, or youā€™re anxious about it, the safest move is to get it checked in person.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.