Q: I am a 19 years old boy. Two years back I developed a skin infection on my upper thighs on both sides of the groin. There were profuse boils, which grew to marble size. I got the infection treated with medicines but every summer, it recurs and after using the medicines it goes down. What causes the recurrence of the infection? Is it due to a fungal infection?

A:Fungal infection in the groin region has to be defined properly; it maybe due to dermatophyte or due to Candida. Fungal infection needs to be differentiated from simple bacterial intertrigo and sebaceous dermatitis. Only in the last named disorder does one experience relapses and exacerbations. In others, once cured, recurrence should not occur, if proper preventive measures are taken.