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

Cool. Keep us posted.... yeah, my list of culprits still has HPV on top so this falls right in line with that....

Like I mentioned above in one of my longer posts.... everytime I would put Aloe Vera gel (with Carrageenan) it made the glands turn all sorts of shades of purple and red, but would sooth and then in everything would die down, de-inflame and sort of turn normal again so that also lends evidence to HPV (since Carrageenan is an HPV killer). Just thinking about it now, I ran out of the stuff and just started using other $hit I had lying around....and it was working so well....I will definitely pick some more up and start that regimen back up.

I also must admit, I've sort of started adding back "normal" ie, crap foods that I enjoyed previously before I started my healthy diet, so things like fried foods, chips, donuts --> in moderation but still....I'm wondering if that caused the flare up today....after all, I was doing so well for a few weeks while eating extremely healthy.

So, as much as I dread to say this, I'm going to take one for the team and do a little experiment for the next 2-3 weeks. Going to continue eating only veggies, cut out bread, all the "bad" stuff and stay away from all the foods I love. I want to see if this is food related. I'll go by process of elimination and add back one things at a time... Only way to do it.

Thank you all for the continued updates and ideas! I am still pursuing it being prostadynia.. however I am very open minded about any and all theories.. let's continue to keep posting news

By the way, there is no one size fits all cause for everyone posting on here, like someone else mentioned, it's most likely a variety of factors.... could be due to virus, bacterial, contact irritation, list goes on. HOWEVER...I can only speak for myself when I say I'm 90% sure my symptoms are caused by newly aquired HPV virus... I'd go further to say, with research backing this up, that the majority of cases of balanitis are related to HPV infection.

watch out for my next post... little more evidence to back this up...

For sure, these are not the classic warts like you would imagine or see on a google image search but HPV warts come in all shapes and sizes. They are known to be microscopic also (**this is just my current theory, don't take this as 100% determination that it is HPV, I'm also not a specialist in this area) I need an STD or dermatologist expert to chime in here....

You'd have to go back and read all my previous posts where I outline the evidence for HPV... AND that's not saying there couldn't be a co-infection of yeast AND HPV..

But in this case, to me, the vinegar test just added more credence to the HPV theory. The vinegar test is a known test to spot HPV lesions... it marked these bumps like a road map.

Plus, if it was yeast, the amount of yeast killing s**t I've been putting on it, it would have been gone by now, I'm also eating a yeast conscious diet...

Hey man,

Got similar problem (see my latest post in the forum). Just a quick question. Are HPV lesions in this area even curable? Also, I was thinking (as I mentioned in my post), that these infections like being in a wet environment - like under the foreskin. Not gonna get cut or anything yet, but I am testing what happens if I keep my foreskin retracted 24/7. It might kill any persistent yeast (as they don't like being dry) and even shed the inflected skin if there's any HPV present. It will lose it's properties and will be replaced by ceratinization. I know, it's a desperate shot, but hey, what can I lose (except making it worse if it's a dermatitis :D). Btw, great discovery with that vinegar, gonna try it if this fails. Keep us posted on your progress.

Good luck.

My glans looks identical to yours in your post from 2 days ago (the one with multiple photos). My penis tip is also quite bumpy and prone to flare ups. This all started for me about 9 months ago after I stupidly had a risky sexual encounter (unprotected sex with somebody who gets around) and I caught urethritis. My gp gave me azithromycin for this and it cleared up almost instantly in one day. During the time I had this infection, I developed the condition we both now share and I assumed it was balinitis due to  the discharge. I’ve been to the gp multiple times since, and have been twice given the fluconazole tablet and twice told there was nothing wrong with me. My condition tends to flare up here and there so it’s sometimes hard to show a doctor, but under light you can see it’s there 24/7. It tends to flare up more when I don’t wash and dry it multiple times a day, or after I masterbate/have sex which is extremely annoying especially since I am only 21. 

My gp seems to not understand what I’m trying to show him/doesn’t seem to really care even though my condition is clearly there. What’s weird is that along with the patch of red that flares up and the tiny bumps, I also get yeast/balinitis symptoms  elsewhere on my glans even though I keep it very clean and dry and use canesten cream constantly. The fact that I basically have a permanent/stubborn balinitis along with this pushes me away from the hpv theory. However, what worries me most about your theory is the fact that hpv is heavily linked to cancer. Also, if you look through this thread you’ll see that many of us had this start directly after taking antibiotics which is something that can’t really be ignored. I’ve always had a feeling the pill I took was linked to my condition. 

It’s definitely impacted my sex life, and I can’t do some basic things anymore such as using urinals due to having to dry my glans thoroughly after. Also I have noticed flare ups tend to follow consumption of certain foods and alcohol. These sort of symptoms are generally associated with yeast infections rather than hpv and a bad yeast infection shouldn’t be ruled out. There are also users on here who aren’t sexually active, however there is no garuntee we share their condition. I am sure I share yours as my glans 100% looks identical to yours, I haven’t found a more similar photo online and believe me I’ve looked. The hpv theory is likely not far off though as I read a study saying hpv can present itself as flat lesions, even papular. 

It is true that it could be a co infection but again this seems unlikely that so many of us would share this co infection, the chances seem way too slim. Also I’d like to add all of my sexual partners since then have been completely symptomless. Have also tried Coconut oil which barely did anything, if anything it made things look worse. I also have been eating very unhealthy foods over the past year I must add. 

If you do find a solution, please let me know! As you seem to be making decent progress via trial and error (it’s what we have all resorted too!). I’m also not sure if vinegar shows genital warts, as it is used a lot of the time to kill them. Even if you’re right about hpv, where do we go from here? I’m very unsure what my options are. 

The patient, undressed from the waist down, lies on the examining table in the dorsal lithotomy position with his feet in the heel supports. A 5% acetic acid solution in a spray bottle is sprayed over the genitalia and perineum. The solution should be applied liberally, and the patient’s buttocks should be on some absorbent material for comfort because he will have to lie there for 3 to 5 minutes before the examination commences as it takes that long for the “reaction” to occur. Most practitioners performing this procedure also soak a 4 x 4 gauze pad with the solution and wrap it around the penis to ensure continuing contact with the skin. 

.... but the problem with the test....

Unfortunately, acetowhitening is not specific for HPV, and other skin conditions, such as an abrasion, eczema, or monilial dermatitis can give a false-positive test; however, the magnified surface scanning should readily distinguish whether this is condyloma. 

..... Have you thought about a biopsy? 

Hey dude I am in the exact same boat as you. My symptoms first appeared after taking tamiflu to recover from influenza. Initially, I had a rash identical to the creator of this thread. However, it has since changed over time. I too am a virgin so don't think whatever is causing OUR condition is sexually transmitted. I have also been to a urologist and been brushed off as the rash was not apparent. I showed him some photos of when it was flared up but he didn't seem to think much of it. I'm going to organise another appointment soon (with a different urologist) and demand to be tested for prostatitis. 

In your eyes, is your rash always slightly visible, even when it's not flared up? Also, does your penis feel significantly less healthy than it used to before you had this?  

Hey jackie, glad to hear from someone with similar condition. How old are you if I may ask? I am 22.

As the years went by after the original (presumable) yeast infection it was visible, but not very much. It looked just like some variability in skin colour. But even then, it didn't feel completely healthy. It was kinda dry, I had to use some hydration cream once in a while. But nothing serious. As it came back, a month back, with flare ups and discomfort in urethra, it's much more visible even when calm. I am also going to urologist again and get some swab tests done and also going to visit a dermatologist. Gonna let ya know my progress. Keep me updated as well, please. One of us may find something to help.

I'm 21. Been suffering with this for a little over a year.

In the first few weeks, I had a bunch of other symptoms aswell but they have mostly died down now. I had swollen testicles, dull pain in testicles (mainly left), unidentifiable dull pain in the shaft, dull pain in the head, tingling sensation in the head (this was like a night or two after I first noticed the rash), pronounced red line running down underside of shaft (also appeared a night or two after I first noticed the rash), general itchiness in genital region (didn't last for long maybe a day or two and this was a few days after the intial rash appeared), strange itching sensation in the urethra and what feels like a twitching sensation beneath the scrotum, near rectum.

The symptoms that persist to this day are: a rash on the glans, swollen corona on left side of glans, occasional pain in the head, occasional pain in left testicle, decreased quality and quantity of sperm, occasional dribbling after urination and strange twitching sensation beneath the scrotum, near rectum. My erections also don't feel as full (sometimes they are hard to maintain) and my penis just feels unhealthy. Not sure how else to explain it.

I have visited many useles gp's who would rather prescribe a steriod cream than actually investigate the root cause. I have visited a derm a few who times who I believe is a good doctor, but he is still unable to give me an official diagnosis. At first he thought it might have been an autoimmune response caused by the illness I had or the medication I took and told me to come back in a few months if it wasn't gone. I returned to him a few months later and he didn't have much for me this time either. Said he thinks it might be seborrheic dermatitis and prescribed me ellidel cream. I'm not convinced in the slightest that this is seborrheic dermatitis. I would say the cream helped with general redness but didn't fix the underlying cause! After that I thought I should try my luck with a urologist. Unfortunately, he was even less help than the derm and said I was 'too young to be sitting in his office' (I definitely won't be returning to him).

I have been following the advice of many of the guys on this thread by eating a more healthy diet, exercising and drinking less. I believe certain foods cause flare ups and in my case cause the pain in the tip or testicle to return. I have also been taking curcumin daily as it is a natural anti-inflammtory. My next step in the process of elminination is to visit a different urologist, tell them everything I have told you, and demand a test for prostatitis. After I have done this I will post my findings here. Sorry for the long winded reply. Rather than email you personally, I thought I would just post the progression of my illness here. Have you experienced any other symptoms like the ones I mentioned?

Thanks for a detailed reply. From what you say it really sounds like it's prostate related (quality of sperm etc.).

When it first started those three years ago I experienced only the rash, burning and itching, but only on the rash. It was accompanied by mild pain in lower abdomen (maybe it was just from anxiety). No testicle pains and anything else. The symptoms I have now are different. It's not rash exactly, it's a redness (sometimes pink, sometimes orange) on the glans. It's triangular, its upper corner connects with urethra. But it looks like it's deep redness, not in the upper part of the skin. I feel occasional burn and itch in urethral meatus (not in the rash itself), have a feeling of residue after urinating (goes away after 20 mins or so). Sometimes it's accompanied by a burn around rectum. Some lower abdominal pain is also present at times. No changes with quality of sperm and no testicular pain. Flares up after masturbation when the sperm gets on the "rash" and also urethral meatus is inflammed for a while. I am now trying to reduce my coffee intake. My lifestyle is otherwise healthy. Some of the symptoms may be caused by stress (got finals going on) and sitting on my ass too much studying. Okay. My personal opinion on the cause - fungal or bacterial infection deep in the skin, HPV virus (dunno if you can get this without having sex but I've had warts on my hand and foot, should be different type tho), a non specific dermatitis or some autoimmune skin disease, prostatitis. Also I've been using saliva as a lubricant for masturbation (not anymore now), so maybe there's some connection. My question is - are you circumsised? Or have you thought about it? It might be the best cure for any non specific balanitis, hence my little experiment. I am also gonna get a biopsy done, apart form swab tests. It will make clear if there are any skin changes present and if they are allergy or infection related.

Gonna give regular updates.

Yeah, I am circumcised. I too have considered a biopsy but don't think I'm man enough haha. Going to be pursue as many other avenues as possible first.

I would say my rash is triangular in shape as well. There are certain parts of the glans that are unaffected by the rash. Mine also flares up after masturbation but also becomes very noticeable as soon as any blood gets flowing down there.

So just to clarify, you haven't felt 100% again at any point in the last three years?

Well then, now I am not sure whether my circumcision imitation will work. I will see. Lets say, I felt alright,  not completely but there weren't any other symptoms apart from the discolouration. And maybe a little bit dryer skin. But it was nothing compared to what I have now. I am thinking about posting a picture of that rash. Wanna compare?