Blotchy red rash/irritated skin on penile head (lasted for over 3 moths now)?

Hi Jason. I HAD these very similar symptoms for 3-4 months. I have had great success using undiluted tea tree oil which I applied directly to the reddened irritated area 2-3 times a day for about 5 days. Initially it had a medium stinging sensation but subsided after 2 days. It has cleared up now for 3 months. I still keep tea tree oil handy but haven't had to use it

Hi all

I have 2 promising things to share.

I have been battling with the same issue like you guys for almost two years now.

Irritation that comes from within the skin on the glans. Shiny skin, subdermal irritiation and avocado skin like texture bumps when erect or out of the shower, etc.

Normally when flaccid, laying down, no problem whatsoever.

When I go to the doc they see nothing. Lately I took some photos with me when erect to show but they were not convinced. I feel like they think I am a hypochondriac...

All kinds of tests were done, no positive results.

I am sure some of you share my pain.

It all started with a nasty infection (They don't know what.) that caused my right testicle to swell and hurt like crazy plus my glans looked pretty bad. The symptoms almost disappeared swelling went down by the time I got to go to the urulogist, so he told me to give time as the body is succesfully fighting whatever it was.

Eversince I have this problem.

What I have had so far.

All sorts of creams, topical, steroid, antifungal , alternative. Nothing ever helps.

I also had 10 days on antibiotics.

Different diets, no alcohol, no milk. I only wash it with running water.

NR 1.

I am uncircumcised but have short (not tight) foreskin, so it won't cover the whole glans.

A few months ago I started keeping my foreskin having pulled up 24/7.

It helped a LOT! They say circumcision helps balanitis, keeping the foreskin up is as close to it as possible without getting it cut.

My symptoms are much weaker, the irritation is almost gone but the subdermal bumps are still there and my glans still feels "off".

I am sure some of your foreskins won't stay up, mine does, that helped. Having your foreskin up is very uncomfortable for weeks before you get used to it but it was worth it for me.

NR2.

My new partner had some discomfort and has gotten a culture done. She was fine before sleeping with me.

She came up positive with streptococcus agalactiae.

Here comes the twist.

This thing is proven to be the cause of recurrent balanitis with SUBDERMAL cellulitis like symptoms on the glans.

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/3514966/

Most places do not consider this an std and won't test for it.

Even if they do if it is hiding subdermal they won't be able to get a sample unless they do a biopsy I think.

The bacteria gets through the skin through traumatic abrasion, sex, masturbation. These bacteria live in the intestines so even after masturbation you could pass it to yourself if your hands are dirty after going to the toilet, you don't need a partner for it.

Here comes the question, if it is this I am fighting with why it didn't disappear when I was on antibiotics for 10 days?

Wikipedia say it needs 20 days on 3x 1000mg azythromicin which is very far from what I got.

I will go to the doc and see what I can do, they don't take me seriously anymore so I am not sure if I will be able to get the antiobiotics of that quantity even though I can weave the positive tests of my partner.

It is possible this is a coincidence as well and means nothing for anyone. I don't want to give (including myself) false hope to anyone.

Any suggestions on how to handle the situation?

Thanks for sharing your stories.

If I have an update I will post it, best case scenario in a month.

Secondly, I went over to my local target to buy Virgin Coconut Oil which is known to contain anti bacterial properties along with a bottle of organic honey from SimplyBalanced which is also known as a natural anti bacterial natural item. 

I do not know if this will work for everyone but it’s certainly working for me and I feel very happy I could cry. I had to create an account to be able to share this information with you. What I do is I first wash my hands, apply coconut oil all over my penis head (including the back of the head) and then I get a pea sized amount of honey and apply it right on the tip of my penis and all over the head as well. I make sure to press gently down on my penis head so the oil and honey are able to go “inside.” Like I said, I don’t know which of the 3 are doing it’s job but it’s certainly working. Good luck to everyone out there and message me if you have any questions. Also, the oil and honey can stain your underwear so be careful if you’re trying to hide it from your spouse because you were unfaithful and got the infection from another person. 

SO.....I promised everyone to respond once I have something to report.  I have reason to be guardedly optimistic.  After going to three dermatologists, I finally found one that actually acted like he gave a s**t.  He ponded on it and finally hit on something that made sense.  He asked if I had started taking any new medications in the past six months (as long as I've had this issue).  I had taken a few new ones but I was able to narrow it down to one...Sildenaphil.  Sildneaphil is the generic for Viagra.  I had been taking Viagra until I changed insurance companies.  I had enough from the prior year to last me until October (I started dating someone in August).  After going through the Viagra, I started in Sildenaphil.  It was after taking that medication that I started getting the red splotches, etc.  I didn't put two and two together until the doctor suggested it could be connected.  I think someone earlier alluded to Fixed Drug Eruption.  That is exactly what my ailment is/was.  I stopped taking the Sildenaphil and the symptoms have subsided.  I looked into Sildenphil onlione and it seems as if it is one of the drugs that has a high rate of FDE. 

I'm not about to diagnose everyone as this being your ailment...but you may want to revisit when your symptoms began and what medications you may have started around that time.

We all may have many different causes for the stupid reaction...FDE may be one of them to look into.

Good luck to you all...Nothing personal, but I hope not to have to revisit this discussion group!

you dip the head of your penis in listerine for 5 mins , 2x a day for 3-5 days. I found this method on youtube.

I started this method today and i will keep you guys updated on my progress. All i can say is that it burns , but i’m assuming that’s because it’s killing the bacteria. 

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Hey everyone!

Been suffering with this for about 6 months after having sex with a female friend who had a yeast infection at the time. I contracted the yeast infection and I didn't manage to do anything about it in time, so it transformed into what we all have now.

But what is it we all have now? Well I finally managed to get referred to a very good dermatologist, who concluded it was Psoriasis of the glans of the penis, caused by Candida (yeast).

So he has prescribed me:

Fluconazole (oral anti-fungal/yeast) 150mg once a week for 6 weeks.

Dovobet (corticosteroid + vitamin d) ointment once a day (very small amount) for 5 days which can be repeated.

Dermol 500 as a regular emollient and soap substitute. (Apply Dovobet at least 30 minutes after applying Dermol)

I'm only 2 days in from taking the first Fluconazole and I'm about to start applying the Dovobet (I waited for the Fluconazole to start working), whilst also consistently using the Dermol 500 twice a day while showering.

So hopefully this answers everyone's questions.

I am not saying that what I have is what you have, nor am I a Doctor in any way shape or form. You should 100% not follow my prescription unless a Doctor has told you to, but I am putting it out there to help people figure out what they have as people are going kee-razy up in this thread.

I will report back my findings in the coming weeks.

For all those who are sinking into anxiety and depression because of this, I understand. But there is always a way forward, you just have to focus on progressing, and allow yourself to stumble every now and then. This problem doesn't deserve the stress you give it. It will only make it worse. If this is causing your mental health to suffer, then you shouldn't be blaming this issue, there are clearly other things going on in your life that need work, so work on those. Focus on de-stressing, focus on bettering yourself, focus on what you can control, and don't worry about what you can't control.

Good luck to you all.

I'm going through what everyone is going through here, unprotected sex/vaginal/oral in March 2018 and then these symptoms developed within a few weeks.... unfortunately, much to my disappointment, I had to give myself a crash course in STI's... I'm pretty sure I did the equivalent of masters in infections diseases within about 3 weeks....when there is mysterious pain in your manhood, everything goes on hold! I've read through thousands of posts/responses to threads like this, sifting/collecting and learning in order to come to a strong educated conclusion/diagnosis....afterall, knowledge is power, the more you know, the less you fear....... I'll share my diagnosis, but first, quick list of symptoms.

2-5 days ---> tingles and nibbles at tip (ignored)

5-10 days ---> tingle turned into irritation/heat/buzzing/raw pain in HEAD/TIP (thought would ride it out)

10-14----> Major raw pain in head, extending into Urethra, inflamed/tight, infected feeling, came down with 1-2 days of flu symptoms, chills, sweats, achy joints etc. Visited clinic. Was prescribed Azo and Cefix, tested for Chlam, Gonno, HIV, HSV-1/2, Syphillis = all negative. Did NOT have any discharge, lesions or any outward signs.

14-28 days, slow recovery, swelling and inflammation subside, Urethritis still present but 2/10 pain. Some days better, some days will flare, at night during sleep always worse.

1.5 months, most symptoms gone except for some ever so slight tingling/irritation at very tip now and then, feels like nerve damage almost... however, everyday seems to be improving. Feel 95% back to normal (helped from my own treatments  outline further below)

**side notes, I also concluded that because I was rough on my stick during the experience, I caused some micro trauma to the tissue in addition to whatever else was going on. Research, "grip of death". Definately more mindful of that now...

- during the buildup of pain, noticed I felt tired and run down, almost like I had a cold or that feeling of fighting off an infection. I would get a warm/flush/sensitive feeling in my left inner thigh...the pain/irritation would almost jump from thigh to urethra within a few hours time... then in later stage to my prostate...

- about a week into the course of antibiotics, I noticed the head of penis looked really blotchy (red and purple) and leathery looking (like an avocado surface). Really alarmed me because it looked like a nasty snake head...meatus was slightly red sometimes also, slightly inflamed. As mentioned, a triangle shaped patch of redish (irritated, inflamed) looking skin on top of head also. Shows worse sometimes, othertimes almost goes away.

So through that whole experience, I logged everything, kept researching and had a little breakthrough, that eventually helped lead me in a certain direction and help explain my situation, and I'd say the majority of everyone elses...

I would be willing to bet that our symptoms are caused by newly acquired HPV virus. Could be any of them. It's our bodies way of reacting to the virus, there is inflammation causing irritation and a whole list of other things. In my case, between my own research and my doctor actually doing a physical exam, it is specifically HPV 6/11.....a small wart appeared approx. 2-3 weeks after the encounter, it was so small at the time I didn't think (and was not educated enough in STI's) to make the connection, just thought it was a another fordyce spot...and continued to be baffled by my symptoms (was leaning towards an atypical case of herpes) until I really had a good look at the "spot", it had grown a little since then and really took on a more "wart" like appearance--> about 90% sure it is an HPV wart, about 90% sure it was newly acquired...that's with backup from my doctor...

Unfortunately I can't link the .pdf here but there is are some really thorough studies that have shown a causal link between HPV and balanitis symptoms, just google "HPV and balanitis" or "HPV and urethritis"....

I'd further add, that I think since most of us are prescribed antibiotics, as a precaution and preliminary step in treatment of an unknown STI, this only serves to exacerbate the balanitis symptoms, so who knows, you could have a situation where it's balanitis as caused by HPV and then get's worse (candida) due to antibiotics.... ( always make sure to take probiotics and eat lots of yogurt while on antibiotics)

So anyway, having this sucks (HPV and balanitis) but it makes it a million times better having a confident idea of the cause ---> atleast can take measure to treat it.

Here's what I'm doing so far:

- Have tried clomotrimazole 1%, seems to basically do nothing, also, since it's most likely at the cellular level (HPV viral infection, inflammation), a topical fungal cream won't work... and in general, I don't think creams are the way to go... as proven since most of you have tried with little results.

- I soak in boric acid mixture, 30min-1hr whenever I can...I like this because it gets deep penetration, sooths and really dissinfections. Highly recommended vs. listerine or any other type of soak.

- I use 1 tsp of coconut oil and 10 drops of tee tree oil or orgono oil...rub this all over, use it as lube etc. Provides nutrients, soothes and dissinfects. 

- I Use a good quality male penile cream daily, rub it in. I find these help alot, can even reduce stinging/tingling/irritation for a while....

- Any chance I can, I crack open a capsule of probiotic (acidophilus bifidus) and powder it over my shaft and glands...it keeps things dry and I feel it really helps.

- I Use baby diaper rash cream (containing Zinc Oxide) recommended from another forum and found great results with it, helps for preventing chaffing/irritation also, zinc oxide keeps germs/bacteria in check.

- I do sitz baths whenever I can, helps for pain but ultimately more of a band aid treatment

- AND finally, here is the BIGGY and the treatment that will make the MOST difference (if it is HPV and balanitis). Because your body needs to fight this infection, you're going to have to help increase your immune system. So you need to eat healthy and basically stop all bad habits. No smoking, no drinking and only healthy eating and excercise. My diet could have been considered "OK" but I really stepped it up and noticed a huge difference already. Plates of vegeatables/fruits/nuts, anti inflammatory types, all natural (organic preferred), fish, poultry, meat, honey, garlic, coconut oil, apple cider vinegar, lot's of yogurt, lots of water. Try to focus on foods that really help male genital health also. I was sure I was low in zinc, as most men are. So I started eating raw pumpkin seeds (zinc) Tomoatoe Juice (quercetin) and literally noticed an improvement in prostate irritation, within a few hours....there's a list of amazing healthy food and nutrition that will have more impacts on your health than pharmaceutical drugs, so google it and go get well!

I'm on the road to healing, and I hope I helped atleast give you some extra tools/weapons in fighting this infection so you can be also. 

NEVER, EVER listen to any doctor tell you it's all in your head or there is no cause (or cause is unknown) for your pain/irritation. There is ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS a cause and effect. Unfortunately our bodies are more complex than our current technology can handle, so it can be difficult sometimes to find out the cause, but once it's found, then it can be fixed, if not to 100%, atleast to the point where life is "normal" and bareable....

My first reaction when I got this and started doing the initial research and reading all the posts was that I was going to have this pain for the rest of my life, that was just irrational. After almost 2 months, finding some good treatments that worked for me and making changes to my diet, I'm about 95% back to normal and getting better everyday.... hopefully this gives you hope. Any questions, feel free.

Jon-