dtf, around mid winter I was dealing with a rash in the general area, I'd never had problems with fungal infection there but have had them in my feet on and off for years and so I assumed I could treat it with antifungals. I was getting distressingly close to my Apr GCS date in April with only minor improvements and my surgeon was clear she'd postpone surgery.
At this point I made an immediate appointment to be seen, read up some and since it hadn't responded to the antifungals, guessed it must be contact dermatitis. The RN who saw me agreed, did a quick stain test confirming no presence of fungi, prescribed me a strong topical steroid and arranged a consult with a dermatologist who agreed, switched me to a milder steroid she said would be easier on my skin and in another week all was fine.
As for it being in your head, stress is one of the causes of contact dermatitis and certainly for me December - March was an incredibly stressful time, working extremely long hours and with GCS coming up.
