Blotchy red rash/irritated skin on penile head (lasted for over 3 moths now)?
Posted , 410 users are following.
Part of the skin on the head of my penis has become slightly red and is causing some pain/irritation.
It first appeared the day after I used a condom so I think I must have had a reaction to the latex or some other substance in the condom.
The tip of the penis became super sensitive and noticeably hurt whenever it touched my underwear.
The skin was and still is noticeably red close to and directly around the meatus. This redness gets worse and bigger after I've come out the shower or masturbated.
An hour or so after ejaculation, I get a slight burn/irritation at the very end of the urethra when I urinate and this can last for a few days before subsiding. This has put me off from masturbating as much now.
This has lasted for about 3 months now with no signs of improvement.
I saw a doctor and was prescribed timodine/hydrocortisone cream and this didn't have much effect and am slightly worried it may just make things worse so have stopped using it for now.
It almost seems as if the redness comes from within the skin rather than on the surface.
I don't think its balanitis as I haven't had that for over 12 years when I was a kid and that was with the usual smegma discharge etc, whereas this is just redness.
I've attached images to show how it looks straight after showering, which is when the redness is at its worst and the contrast between the normal skin colour and the redness can be clearly seen.
16 likes, 1576 replies
li61768 Jason1327
Posted
For all of those who have this condition, is yours also irritated by just about everything? For me just about everything makes it flare up outside of vaseline, cortisone, and aveeno in small amounts. Maybe the common denominator is anythin that adds moisture?
Things I have tried that annoy it atleast a little bit (as opposed to no change , or an improvement):
anti bacterial ointment (neosporin and mupirocin both flare it up
coconut oil
calendula cream
anti fungal creams
aloe vera gel
toby_18315 li61768
Posted
Hi,
Same for me, everything seems to cause irritation, even the list of natural products that others suggest to ease the flare up. As I mentioned above, I only use water now, and am sure to keep track of urine and other irritants throughout the day and although the issues is still there, the flare ups have reduced significantly.
Cheers
kardak Jason1327
Posted
I've got this disease for 1 year now. I've read all the pages in this forum, looks similar to mine.
I was using a antibiotic and in the meantime, had a one night stand with a friend (not a hooker)
after one week, penis head inflammation started. Tried anti fungal creams that was good for a while but after 2 weeks of usage same issues. Went to doctors twice, blood and penis head liquid sample tests and there i nothing wrong they said. Urologist gave me cortisone cream and vaseline but that didnt work also. Doctor said this could be psychological. By the way when fully erected there seems no issue, (while sex or masturbation) But penis head is too sensitive to touch. Best temporary solution to get rid of the hesitation seems like, after sex or masturbation, cleaning it with water and drying it. Moisture makes it worse. But still looking for a fundamental solution after a year. Following this forum. I also wonder why some posts are erased.
JohnKepler2019 Jason1327
Posted
Has anyone else been tested for trichomoniasis? The more I read the symptoms of those here, the more I wonder if it could be the cause because this will absolutely not go away unless a specific prescription is taken. You will also find that many physicians recommend treatment even with a negative test if you know you have been intimate with someone positive for it. That said, it can live outside the body for more than a day and a condom does not always protect against it. Has anyone been having these symptoms purely from oral contact because it doesn't live in one's mouth but can be contracted elsewhere.
BigDaddyShane JohnKepler2019
Posted
I've been wondering the same thing. Although I have heard that you can contract it from all 3 (oral, anal and vaginal).
jay96698 Jason1327
Posted
Only me with very short endurance after this issue ?
osi25648 Jason1327
Posted
Hello Jason, I had similar blisters on my shaft and glans for almost 3 months, after several test and check up with negative results from the medical professionals and still couldn't identify what it was actually I was advised to result to self treatment. I started using Aloe Vera gel extracted from the plant itself (after reading about the plant itself) and applying it all over my penis twice a day (Morning and night), within 4 weeks all my blistered / sores were gone and I did apply for extra couple of days too. I strongly believe you should try it cause it worked for me. As long as your test results comes back negative I highly recommends the Aloe Vera Gel extracted raw from the plant. Regards.
john85906 Jason1327
Posted
It is is driving me insane! I have what looks like a burn (red/blotchy/sore) covering approx 1/3rd of my penis head.
I'm a divorcee (no penis issues previously). I got with an Afro Caribbean girl who stated she was a virgin. We were friends and fell into having unprotected sex. I felt a slight burning sensation to penis tip in moments after sex. Caught in the moment didn't think anything / didn't clean. Only in the day's afterward i noticed the burn/blotch marks.
This was over 12months ago and it remains. My confidence is shot. Anxiety etc. Too embarrassed to have it assessed. Please help.
juan47952 Jason1327
Edited
Anyone had this issue resolved with a circumcision? I might have this procedure done in march. Been having this problem for almost 2 years after a 1 night stand.
milesray juan47952
Posted
Yes and No. I was circumcised at birth so not me but I have been following this and other posts for over two years. Two folks have reported a "cure" after circumcision - however it was short lived - lasting a few months to a year.
I have hpv 68 & 82 and am near certain that at least in my cause this is the cause. The HPV can hide from the immune system. My theory is that the circumcision causes a localized immune response due to the trauma of the circumcision and thus heals the penis and also attacks the HPV as all those white blood cells swoop in to do their job. However, the HPV is not cleared completely so then it returns over time.
If this is HPV there is hope as there are several phase 1 & 2 clinical trials that are making headway to actually kill off the HPV virus such as this one:
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/jan/03/hpv-vaccine-tested-clinical-trial-infections-cervical-cancer
When one looks at the changes to the cervix caused by HPV and the changes happening to our "junk" they are really so much the same(view some photos of the cervical dysplasia). I think that it is more persistent in the uncircumcised as the glans are more moist and more like that of the cervix rather than more dry and less like the cervix in those that have been circumcised. Many strains of HPV like the moist mucosal tissues - about 40 strains of the nearly 200 that can infect humans.
So if I was uncircumcised I would likely do the deed. Research the rates of penile cancers for those that have the deed done and those that have not. It becomes obvious that the circumcised are less likely to have those issues thus likely that the glans are less hospitable after circumcision.
This my thoughts.
Best to you all.
josh07301 milesray
Edited
Well said and very accurate. I too have been suffering with this for several years. I have at least two strains of HPV; one low risk (warts a few years ago) and one high risk (found in wife's pap smear). I have had some relief using some of the oils mentioned here (Almond, Chaga and especially T oil) and treating a vitamin D deficiency (from 15 ng/ mL to 50 ng/mL by taking 2k IU a day). I also have had much success with getting the skin to peel by exfoliating it and aggrevating the area to solicit a immune response. It is now barely red and the redness completely disappears when I get an erection. My method for maintaining it now is: shower and clean with mild soap, dry with a hairdryer (low setting), application of Dermol first, then Vitamin D oil for a few minutes, then Almond oil and lastly a little T Oil.
In relation, my wife just had a hysterectomy due to advanced abnormalities in the cervix ( CIN2) and some fibroids (unrelated). I was able to talk to the Gyncologic Oncologist who performed the leep and eventual hysterectomy about HPV at length. She confirmed the same cell changes can and do occur on the glans that mirror what she sees on the cervix. She offered to look at my issue and did so during my wife's last visit. She said it indeed likely was related to the high risk strain based on appearance of some older photos I showed her but itdidn't look concerning any more (even though I am uncircumcised).
She explained that I should just keep an eye on it and get regular check ups from a dermatologist. The cell changes (if any) are rare, even in men who are uncircumcised and they will develop slowly over years. She said that men can generally keep an eye on it by regularly retracting their foreskin and documented changes ever checkup with their dermatologist. If (and she said it was a big if) the cell changes continue, then it can be treated with either certain creams or by biopsy and MOHs procedure. She didn't recommend a biopsy in my case yet as it will leave scarring and therefore should only be done when absolutely necessary.
This mirrors what my dermatologist has advised. She (also a female doctorwho understands HPV well) said we men have it easier than women with HPV because we can self monitor and catch it very early. So that is what I am sticking with, my maintenance therapy and regular derm checkups.
jesse86431 josh07301
Posted
I am on this same bandwagon guys.
Wife has multiple high and low risk hpv strains and has has a leep procedure to deal with cervical dysplasia.
I also agree that pictures of a cervix with dysplasia is almost identical to a glans with this issue.
My symtoms are irritation, redness, chronic dryness and tiny little red bumps on the glans in a blotchy shape from the meatus down the top of the glans. These bumps are definately raised slightly and not just superficial.
my stress level has been through the roof from this and work so that is likely not helping on the HPV front.
milesray josh07301
Posted
I did not add my back story to my last response but largely the same as you. Three months after a new relationship it all started. We had the STD talk and all was fine - or not.
After my issues started we talked again. She has 2 HPV surgeries already. She claimed her doctor said the HPV is so benign that is it not worth mentioning...
Sadly my issues are also oral and lungs now at this point. HPV is now indicated in about 25% of lung cancers.
We are seeing everyday that HPV is more evil that previously known.
Hopefully the therapeutic vaccines that allows the immune system to "see" the HPV and develop a correct immune response will come to market soon - in all my research that is my best hope for all this.
There are some Chemo Drugs such as Vorinostat that have shown to be effective on clearing the HPV Virus.
See this link:
https://www.genengnews.com/news/cancer-drug-shows-promise-as-therapeutic-against-hpv/
Other studies show that about 1/2 the time when one is treated for head and neck cancers caused by HPV not only is the turmor/cancer removed but the underline cause (the HPV) is also cleared. Thus there is increasing support the some chemo drugs are excellent anti-virals in some cases.
I am talking with my doctor of the possibility of a short course of Vorinostat to see the effect. However it is a 5K a month prescription and would be off label and not covered even if he would write the script. I've got the 5K and will totally do it if he agrees.
There is also research showing that local applications of Zinc clears HPV see this link:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21605892
I have may order the zinc solution and will likely mix with a light DMSO solution to allow deep penetration and try for a month or so and see what happens.
Best to you all as we work to make the best of this hell
juan47952 milesray
Posted
So would you recommend me to get the surgery? or would it be pointless? doc said its recurrent balanitis and that the circumsission would fix it. Im going on two years with this and i just want it to be over with. Tried so many thing and saw so many doctors and nothing has worked so far. It was worse before when it just started. Now its not that bad just mild redness. Weird sensation. But i want it completely gone.
milesray juan47952
Posted
I do not want to go as far as to recommend it.
Rather, read the research when you google cancer risks in the circumcised vs uncircumcised.
Also, if you have evidence that your root cause is HPV that might weigh in as well - you can get in home test kits for about $100.
I am positive for two high risk types 68 & 82. The high risks types are those that can lead to cancer if they do not clear. My HPV has been persistent for over 2 years. Over 90% of HPV cases clear in 2 years or less.
I know mine are persistent because I have been celibate since this all started to be socially responsible (2.5 years now).
I can only state the HPV is the cause in my case - I am sure others have differing issues.
Best to you as you deal with this as well.
juan47952 milesray
Posted
Thankyou. Im about to buy a hpv home test ive never done it before. I do have a feeling that what i have is a type of hpv strain since its been with me for so long and nothing seems to help it. Did you just swab any part of your head or do you have to do a specific part? Also if it is positive for hpv what can i so about it? i appreciate your feedback.
milesray juan47952
Posted
So you follow the directions which is a fairly aggressive scrub of the suspected effected areas with a supplied brush to pull loose skin cells for the testing.
Once you know you are positive for HPV there are things you can do but there is not yet a magic pill for a cure.
Google HPV diet - there are several changes you can make that have been shown to make clearing HPV more likely. Some is the obvious such as lots of greens and veggies and so on. Also supplements such as turmeric, AHCC, zinc and many others. So we should not under estimate feeding our bodies the "good stuff" to allow our immune system to work at peak.
I just started using a zinc solution ( 2 days in now so nothing to report yet). Google this study:
"A pilot study to investigate the treatment of cervical human papillomavirus infection with zinc-citrate compound (CIZAR®)."
HPV cleared in 65% of women that did this compared to 15% in the control group ( no zinc solution). That is a powerful result.
I will report back after a month or so and let you all know that if in my case it made a difference.
Distract yourself and laugh, do not look at the "junk" daily and find joy in daily life along this journey. Do not ask, "Why me", rather "Why not me" Lot of folks in this life have been dealt a far worse hand than ours.
Very best
jake39738 juan47952
Posted
Have you gotten circumcised, can you keep us posted?