atypical balanitis - seeking opinions
Posted , 5 users are following.
Hello - I would appreciate all input/suggestions as I have been suffering not only physically but emotionally (severe anxiety/panic/depression) due to the condition I am experiencing.
About 5 weeks ago I noticed some redness & red spots on the glans, which didn't concern me at first because it's fairly normal after masturbation/sex etc but should heal in days. After a week or 2 went by I started getting more upset and Googling my symptoms, which is how I found this site. It really put me on edge after learning of all the possibilities. However my circumstances are atypical as I am circumcised since a baby and I do not experience any secondary symptoms such as itching, burning, etc. It is literally just red/spotty and has gotten slightly worse over time. The only things I recall that could have triggered this are : I experimented with using virgin coconut oil as personal lubricant, twice (albeit a large amount each time). I used an "exfoliating scrub" on my body including my penis a couple of times. General stress from COVID and a breakup.
I first tried to self-treat myself using Terrasil Balanitis ointment (had good reviews) however there was no change after 5 days, so I discontinued.
Next I went to a primary doctor 3 weeks ago, who downplayed it and said "give it another month" and also prescribed me an anti-viral drug Valtrex even though he said it likely wasn't herpes or any type of infection. I also requested blood tests done at this time to rule out any STDs, as I had been with a women a month prior who I believe is clean and likely has nothing to do with this.
Rather than waiting a month, I went ahead and made an appointment with a Urologist, who I saw 2 weeks later. He said it was possibly eczema and prescribed Hydrocortisone 2.5%, which I used 2x for 5 days but the condition seemed to worsen, so I discontinued. They are referring me to a dermatologist.
Questions: Is it worth trying Clotrimazole (I can buy OTC Lotrimin AF) even though I have no itching or burning sensation? Is it possible that I over-exfoliated the glans in the shower and caused permanent damage? Can the glans reproduce or heal itself? I have been taking Collagen peptides in hopes that it can stimulate cell turnover and heal the damage, as well as magnesium supplements (for anxiety/depression, but it might also benefit skin/organs). Any other suggestions besides just waiting this out and putting nothing on the penis?
Thank you!
1 like, 4 replies
amarjeet007 Health1212
Posted
It is highly unlikely that you would cause any permanent damage with a scrub wash. But yes, scrubs are not meant for penis.
Trying an antifungal cream just to treat the redness of glans isn't a good idea, as long as a doctor doesn't recommend it.
It would be great if you consult a dermatologist.
BTW , I have the same redness issue that keeps on coming and going ( more prominent after masturbation). No burning , no itching. I have tried various creams, but hardly any improvement. I wash the penis twice or thrice a week with baby soap and rest of the days with plain water. Using a lube like vaseline or coconut oil is somewhat helpful in reducing the redness that flares up after masturbation.
Health1212 amarjeet007
Posted
Thanks for your response. In hindsight I know this was a mistake, both using coconut oil and then washing with a scrub.
As an update, the hydrocortisone made things significantly worse and the entire head looks red at this point. I am hoping it is temporary and it will go back to the previous state. I also tried Lotrimin AF for a few days just to see if it had any effect - it didn't (as the steroid cream made things worse it led me believe it was indeed an infection - possibly bacterial or fungal) .
I now have an appointment with a dermatologist next week. I am hoping he can give some real insight and won't just prescribe more steroid creams. Other than that, the only thing I can think of trying is an antibiotic, or just waiting this out in hopes that it resolves itself.
I am also going to try applying a small amount of organic shea butter I ordered as it is suppoed to have anti-inflammatory and healing properties. Does anyone advise against this?
Health1212
Posted
Update - After 2 weeks off of the hydrocortisone the glans is beginning to lighten a bit, but is still darker than before. I also noticed some thinning/atrophy, which is a known side effect of steroid creams. Almost all doctors will tell you this is not possible with low strength steroids for a short duration, but from my personal experience I can tell you they are wrong. For anyone reading this, please heed to my warning. Do not use steroid-based creams on your glans, period, not matter what a doctor says. My visit to a Urologist actually made my condition worse, and I wish I would have never gone through with it. I believe the best course is to let things heal naturally with good diet, exercise, and possibly supplementation of certain vitamins/minerals. If I see any improvement, I will be sure to update.
Flaxen Health1212
Posted
Hi! I've been suffering from a similar situation to yours. I stupidly washed my glans with Head and Shoulders shampoo, didn't rinse it off properly and burnt my glans to a crisp! pus and peeling skin... it was a total mess. That was over 5/6 months ago and it is still red. Like yourself I have no other symptoms, it's just the appearance!
The doctors I've seen have brushed it off so far and cant see a real problem. 'It's just a bit red, try canesten.' I already have.
you said you used raw coconut oil to masturbate with. Have you tried using it as a moisturizer? supposedly it has anti bacterial and anti fungal properties. I've been using it a few times a day and it seems to help a little bit. I'm afraid that I may have scarred my glans though, but it might help yours?
I got worried about cancers and all sorts of stuff, but I have been assured that they are very very rare, especially if you're under 60. I've had some major anxiety over this and still do! Hope you can get to the bottom of it. 😃