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
jj2013B Jason1327
Posted
Has anyone tried Elidel? I am using it 10 days now. The rash and bump are not as irritated but pretty much looks the same.
CanadianMale81 jj2013B
Posted
Nice. I was just about to poste about this cream. Was referred by the derm. I finally filled the prescription after waiting a few months. Have been using it for a week now on the issue (which I believe is a bacterial lyme infection) that moved to the back of my hand. Definitely improved things, less redness, soreness and tenderness and seems to have slowed the infection process and appears to be healing, but time will tell.... these creams are immune system inhibitors, pro's and con's to that. I don't plan on using it for to long, just when things seem exceptionally swollen. My theory is that in many cases of chronic skin issues/infection, the immune system can become over active and keep things over inflamed for too long, that's where this cream is good to calm things down and reduce redness/swelling.... but still, atleast in my case, a temporary fix.
In my case, any antibiotic topical shows the most promise, x3 polysporin etc. I've gotten the best results from that stuff.......
toby_18315 jj2013B
Posted
Elidel has been the one cream ive tried that didnt aggravate the irritation. It felt soothing and i was hopeful it would help but unfortunately i never saw any improvments after several weeks of use.
jj2013B toby_18315
Posted
I had a biopsy ten days ago and get the results 4 days from now. They are going to look for Zoon's, irritant contact dermatitis, psoriasis.
Three pics of before and then a pick the day of biopsy (below). Does anyone else have very red bump on both sides of meatus with a blotchy rash beyond it? So far I have seen photos that are not so red.
jj2013B
Posted
I've tested negative for all STDs but the location sure looks like a STD.
jj2013B
Posted
Also: has any one used Tacrolimus?
toby_18315 jj2013B
Posted
hi mate mine looks similar to your photos at times although the appearance seems to change constantly and sometimes looks ok, others really bad. ive had my issues for years now and seen countless departments with no improvement. i have tried tacrolimus amongst many other creams and lotions. none helped and most seemed to aggravate my skin further. please keep us posted on your biopsy results. i have been refused a biopsy twice on the grounds it just doesnt look serious enough for the doctors to be bothered trying to help in more detail than the bog standard prescriptions despite the fact ive been severely depressed at times because of this problem! good luck
jtheige toby_18315
Posted
I can relate wholeheartedly. i just had my annual dermatologist appointment yesterday and she flat out refused to do a biopsy. She had no problem biopsing a suspect mole though. However, that was because a mole on my abdomen turned out as moderately atypical last year and required a deep tissue incision / extraction to remove.
She insists the dryness and slight remaining redness is normal for guys my age with "Irish" skin, with a history of skin inflammation and trauma to that area and with other bacteria-related infections. Apparently, both her and her husband are essentially in the same boat and have similar issues (which was surprising but relieving to hear).
She reiterated her previous advice, which was to keep it clean, continue moisturizing daily, get regular skin checks every six months and to get my Vitamin D levels up. She also said to get on with living life, have a glass of wine or beer every once in a while, relax more and rest easy.
In addition, She also made a valid point about it being HPV related. She pointed out that my HPV symptoms (warts) haven't returned since 2017. Therefore, if HPV was the cause, I would more likely be showing other symptoms and signs of it still lingering (which I don't thankfully... knock on wood!). She said it is likely more related to either my Candida infection (which will never go away fully) and/ or my SIBO condition (which will always be a challenge as well).
She also said that (if the condition ever happened to turn abnormal) it would most likely develop years from now, at a very slow pace and it would be very treatable well before it posed a serious threat.
So, that's what I'm going to do. Get on with my life, keep it in check, keep it clean and keep it moisturized.
liamsil Jason1327
Posted
Has anyone here received an ultrasound scan? I have been offered one in 4 to 5 weeks time so I’m hoping that will reveal my condition and get me the right treatment. I was hoping someone else has had this scan and could share if it revealed anything?
jj2013B Jason1327
Posted
Today I got the results of my biopsy. The derm did a biopsy into the left meatus (to the left of the meatus where the biggest sore was located).
Results:
LICHEN PLANUS with some beginning LICHEN SCLEROSUS (they often appear together). So, primarily, LICHEN PLANUS.
I was NOT expecting this result! Now to research. It is a stubborn disease and last months on skin and years on genitals or mouth (mucosal type).
TREATMENT: Doctor prescribed ultrapotent steroid (clobetasol) 2 days week (Saturday and Sunday) with Elidel and fluticasone propionate (Cutivate) cream the other days.
I would really suggest biopsy to those who have not done it. At least now I know and can deal with it.
liamsil jj2013B
Posted
I'm so glad you think you've come to the bottom of your problem, I'm interested to hear if your treatment resolves this, please do keep us updated!
a8888 jj2013B
Posted
Thanks for the feedback. This is very interesting, as it looks completely different from the pictures I could find on internet about "Lichen Planus". Just a few questions :
It actually makes me want to do a biopsy as well.
I'm really glad for you that you know what you have, and I wish you all the best and a quick recovery.
jj2013B Jason1327
Posted
First 2 pics.. Day of biopsy and several days later with suture. 3d Pic is after suture removed today.
No, it didn't hurt. Anesthesic local. Sore first day or so but that was it.
Now I start ultra potent clobetasol. Not recommended with other illnesses but IS with lichen planus
jj2013B
Posted
Pics are in reverse order
jj2013B Jason1327
Posted
I'll report back on progress. Lichen planus can be a b***h but better odds if caught early.