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
Gibba Jason1327
Edited
hey guys, a little update on my journey with this. i was using coconut oil religiously, many times a day, which definitely kept the glans moist and not drying out but redness was still present. i started using a calendula soap bar from Waleda, gentle pat dry after shower and no more coconut oil. also i have been going longer periods of abstinence, not always easy to resist but i am seeing really great improvement!
i think about it occasionally and look but i have made a spiritual decision to release this challenge and focus on well being. i know it is easier said than done but it is possible to overcome this. i wish you all the best
wee78396 Gibba
Posted
hey man i would really apprivate it if you could help me out im 17 and i think i possibly have this condition and its really scary i want to have somone to ask and talk to thats going though the same thing
Joeshmo Jason1327
Posted
if it helps anyone...HPV does go away. The period usually takes 2 years but eventually your body will fight it off and you will clear the symptoms and virus. For those suffering from HSV2 I HAVE DONE MAJOR EXTENSIVE RESEARCH. We are closer than ever to a cure. CRISPR CAS3 is believed to be a new cutting technology that in China is making great progress also a new Vaccine removed HSV2 from a monkey which as we all know is our closest to our DNA makeup. Everyone in this forum has reason to be hopeful no matter what your diagnosis is!
Joeshmo Jason1327
Posted
if it helps anyone...HPV does go away. The period usually takes 2 years but eventually your body will fight it off and you will clear the symptoms and virus. For those suffering from HSV2 I HAVE DONE MAJOR EXTENSIVE RESEARCH. We are closer than ever to a cure. CRISPR CAS3 is believed to be a new cutting technology that in China is making great progress also a new Vaccine removed HSV2 from a monkey which as we all know is our closest to our DNA makeup. Everyone in this forum has reason to be hopeful no matter what your diagnosis is!
jtheige Joeshmo
Posted
As a point of clarification , HPV does not "go away"; your immune system suppresses it to a very low viral load. Newer research states that If you have it, it stays with you for life much like Zoster, HSV, etc.
This is why so many men (famous men like Val Kilmer, Michael Douglas and recently Dave Mustaine) show up with HPV related throat cancer many years after the initial infection. As we age, so does our immune systems and as your immune system slows down it can not longer suppress the virus.
There are low-risk strains (like 6 &11) that generally cause skin changes and warts but don't generally cause cancer (which is what I have) and there are higher risk strains like 16, 18, 45, etc. that have a greater potential to develop into cancer later on (generally 10 years+ post the initial infection).
However, the development of a therapeutic vaccine is being heavily researched and for now you can get the Gardasil vaccine, which new data from clinical research says may provide some protection for existing infections from developing into cancer later on.
Essentially, it won't help supress an existing infection; that is up to your immune system but it well help prevent new infections and may also help existing infections from progressing (as per new research).
I have had two out of the three Gardasil shots ( last one planned for the near future). I was able to get it after the CDC here in the States released it for older adults (up to age 45). Better to be safe than sorry.
If you're concerned about HPV I strongly recommend you do your research and speak more about it with a knowledgeable and certified medical doctor, specifically a dermatologist.
jtheige
Posted
By the way, the higher risk strains don't typically develop warts and so therefore they are considered silent or latent infectios in nature. This is why most doctors aren't overly concerned when they see warts... it is more likely to be what is considered a low-risk strain.
Joeshmo jtheige
Posted
actually...YOU ARE WRONG...HPV does go away because your body fights it...MOST see it gone in a 2 year window...Your body can supress it for multiple years but because many symptoms dont show for some they never know they had it...My cousin admitted he had it and now he tests negative and this was years ago...SO...YES HPV will go away because your body will fight it and if you need me to find references and scientific documentation i am happy too.
Darty17 Joeshmo
Posted
not disagreeing with you, but for the sake of argument, could you provide the references to this fact? also, how is your cousin tested for it?
jtheige Joeshmo
Posted
All my doctors (all are board certified and at the top of their game) agree that HPV is a life long infection. I have had it for well over two years and still get flare ups on my skin related to it. I also have a professional background in science myself so I do comment from a position of logic.
Furthermore, to the best of my knowledge, there is no medically legitimate way to "test" for it other than biopsy of affected tissue.
Look, I am not saying we all have it (those of us fighting this issue); I'm saying that I have it (confirmed by several biopsies), have had it, since August 2017 (over two years) and I have a very strong immune system ( it has been thoroughly tested) and my symptoms that are related to it haven't gone away completely.
When I asked my dermatologist and Immunologist why it hasn't gone away completely they both advised exactly what I posted earlier... there is no proof that it goes away completely and there is more proof that it can linger and/ or lie dormant.
However, regardless if we disagree on this, we can all agree that we're all fighting something that medical science doesn't completely recognize or fully understand. It may not be HPV for all of us but HPV shouldn't be disregarded if you've already ruled out everything else.
Personally, I am grateful for this forum and all of your input (even the debate). The theories and possibilities that continues to be produced is a comfort from a "misery loves company " perspective if nothing else.
Joeshmo jtheige
Posted
i apologize if i came of harsh...What i am saying is HPV does stay in some cases longer than 2 years. And you are toght you cant test for it unless breakout. However just Google, Yahoo, BING, whatever "Does HPV go away?" ALL references will tell you "Yes" HPV is not a virus that stays in you (maybe certain rare strains) its HSV that is life long. Both my cousin and friend had this virus (had their breakouts) and years later are now fine once they were treated. HSV is the only Virus that is life long but can be surpressed with medicine. I am jus trying to give hope to those that have HPV i am grateful for this forum...But i have doctors too and if it is one thing i learned some doctors care about their paycheck and the next patient. They would rather tell you its life long so you leave them alone than actually taking the 5 minutes to give you hope.
Joeshmo
Posted
i actually think my nerves up because at the start of this discussion and my input i was hopeful. But today i think i am finally showing signs of an outbreak.
jesse86431 Jason1327
Posted
Let's try something..... copy and paste this form and fill it out. Maybe we start seeing some trends.
How long have you been dealing with this?
3.5 years
What was your first symptom that made you think something was wrong?
Sharp pain on the side of my glans at the corona if anything brushed up against it. Never felt this before in my entire life.
Was there a specific event that you can remember triggered this for you?
Unprotected oral sex 12 hours prior to onset of first symptom
Have symptoms been getting better or worse?
Sensitivity is better but skin on glans seems to be slowly getting more red and bumpy.
Tested negative for all conventional STD after this event?
Yes. Except genital HSV which I have had before this.
Tested for mycoplasma Genitalium?
No test
Did the event that cause this give you guilt or anxiety?
Yes extreme.
Prior to this did have issues with HSV herpes in the genital region?
Yes HSV around genitals
Prior to this did you have issues with warts in the genital region?
First warts I noticed were after first hypersensitivity symptoms
What are your symptoms today?
Skin feels thinner and less healthy. It is irritated and is extremely dry if it does not get moisturized. General redness on the top of my glans and around meatus. Corona looks more inflamed and there is a general area of ever so slightly raised bumps in the areas of redness. I can see tiny bumps almost like microscopic warts on the skin of my glans.
Penis glans feels cold sometimes like a lack of circulation and sometimes can sting randomly. I also get a shock like feeling in my testical, upper left thigh/groin and anus.
I have thought that my urine smells a bit different but its been over 3 years now so who knows.
Have you tried Hydrocortisone?
Yes, one of my theories is that I damaged the thin penis skin by over applying steroid cream and for too long. Perhaps I had a friction injury that would have healed itself and I made everything worse by using steroid creams.
Have you tried Anti-fungal Therapy?
I did take lots of women’s antifungal pills and creams. No effect. I never had fungal issues before this and the immediate onset of first symptom makes me thing this cant be fungal. I am also circumcised and glans is extremely dry, not moist and raw like candida infections.
Have you tried pimecrolimus (elidel) ?
Yes, I do not remember that this had a positive effect.
Have you had a biopsy? What were the results?
No biopsy. Scared to be honest…
Have you tried antibiotics?
Yes urologist gave me CIPRO and I have taken a long course of DOXY.
Have you tried antivirals?
Yes I was on Valcyclovir for HSV. I do not remember if this had a positive effect or not.
Do you have Gardasil Shot?
No. I want to get them.
Are you doing anything to boost your immune system?
Opposite, I smoke a lot of MJ so probably have been lowering it. I want to quit weed, get healthy and take some AHCC supplements.
What is your current routine for relief?
Moisturize with Cetaphil. That is all.
What is your next plan of action?
•New dermatologist on 26th
•AHCC supplements
•Get healthy
•Gardasil Shots
•MRI for any back or spine issues
•MRI for any testicular issues
•Try and get Veregen. A gentle, fda approved green tea based HPV killer.
JBrizzle1526 jesse86431
Posted
does anyone else smoke a lot of MJ? I noticed that when i do the problem seems a bit more irritated while smoking. Recently stopped and plan to stay off of it for awhile. Anyone else notice that?
Mr_Jim Jason1327
Posted
From a sufferer of HSV I can say that it sounds like it does something very similar to HPV, in thst my outbreaks became less and less until I surmise my body learned to battle the virus. The outbreaks eventually got smaller and smaller to the point I no longer see spots/clusters, or at least I haven't done for over a year (from recollection). Certainly if I have had an outbreak, it was so small I haven't seen it or felt it. I only ever took aciclovir when an outbreak occurred, frankly I don't think it was too effective. I found the outbreak did its business then died down.
Right here and now I'm currently awaiting an appointment with a specialist skin dermo re what I suspect might be HPV. what I will say is that HSV skin issues in no way parallel my current issues.
However, I do have extensive nerve issues caused by
The only parity is with nerves, in that with HSV, I could tell I was about to have an outbreak because my right inner thigh nerves would tingle/itch. I now get that sensation with this 'potentional' HPV infection, however it affects my leg, lower back, sides and groin.
It took my body about two years to kick the HSV into touch re skin outbreaks, but I've little doubt I may experience more.
Patrick_Bateman Jason1327
Posted
The pictures by Mark is what is going on w me. The sensation of boxers scraping against glans is the worst part of all this... aside from the frightening implications of skin cancer in situ on the penis.
Jesse - I tested negative for everything by my derm except for HSV1 (blood test) & 2 strains of HPV (33 & 82). The painful swap test down the urethra was pos. for high-risk 33 & the scrape, or sandpaper, test was positive for high-risk 82.
I had been abstinent for months prior to protected oral sex from a stranger. After that moment, i was again abstinent for months. For a week to 2 weeks following, there was a fire or burning on my penis & surrounding skin. A month later, 2 tiny, symmetrically placed warts appeared on either side of glans.
This is when i started noticing the rubbing sensation of my boxers against glans. That has remained now for 3 years, almost to the date. I went thru a 3 week, twice daily application of 5-FU. As the skin grew back, it looked like brand new skin... on the glans, shaft, everywhere it was applied. It gradually returned to the reddish state in Mark's pictures. It was marginally better aesthetically following the 5-FU treatment. Thats why im happy i did 5-FU. I consider 3 weeks 2x a day to be the most effective schedule of treatment bc it became so painful & gnarly; ive since learned from urologists that it should only be applied every other day for 2 weeks, or applied every other week.
ive has another doctor (GP) tell me that the rubbing sensation could be parasthesis as a result of nerve damage from the 5-FU. After reading all the posts in this thread... im not so sure. It seems like we are all suffering from the same thing.
Accordingly, the big question is: is this viral (HPV) or fungal? I never had ringworm or athletes foot growing up. I am leaning towards HPV, for all of us. HSV1 being positive on a blood test doesnt really matter, bc most people have HSV1 & would test positive... does everyone agree? HSV1 typically shows no signs or symptoms in the genital region.
If we all decide its HPV, then what are our current options? Boosting our immune systems thru natural methods & lifestyle changes? Mushroom concentrates, both topical (Sayan chaga oil) & oral (AHCCs)? Chemotherapies like 5-FU? Antiviral medications... including the vaccine Gardisil eventho we are all beyond the effective age range?
I am appreciative of this thread bc everyone's comments, analysis & experiences are giving me alot of insight... much more insight than if i had to go it alone only trusting doctors who may be afraid of admitting their own ignorance to this problem.
nikos76539 Patrick_Bateman
Posted
hello please can you tell me the 2 tiny, symmetrically placed warts you mention what color are they ?I have also 2-3 very very tiny rounded white (something like pimples ) on my penis head they stay for a few days tiny ,after they brake down making a tiny red surface and finally dissapear
thank you
jesse86431 nikos76539
Posted
That sounds exactly like HSV or Herpes. Next time they are at the pimple stage, go to a STD clinic and they can confirm.
jake28951 Patrick_Bateman
Posted
So you tested positive for HPV. Why is there still a mystery about it? I will say that it seems impossible to get HPV from protected oral sex.
Patrick_Bateman jake28951
Posted
i am not arguing w that. i think hpv is causing most of the symptoms involved in this thread.
there was the potential for infection during condom removal. drs have also said it is possible.
atp, i am most interested in remedies & things that might be working for other people. the earliest appt. i could get w dermatologist is Tues... from there hoping for referral to top tier infectious disease specialist.
the goal is to find something that is treatment or even curative; something that can take away the parasthesia (scratchy, warm, boxer-scrapint sensation)... avoiding skin cancer on the penis (a potential result of HPV) is an even higher priority.
jake28951 Patrick_Bateman
Posted
I appreciate your intentions and know you mean well, but saying most symptoms involved in this thread are because of hpv seems irresponsible to me. It's the worst of the internet forum diagnosis to google something and find out it's cancer or precancerous from amateurs.
I don't want to take away your justification in saying what you have is HPV, but I would caution against you claiming that's what everyone here likely has as it creates undo anxiety and stress to a problem that is very likely elevated because of anxiety and stress. I have been to probably a dozen doctors by now, all with incredible credentials and reviews and not one has said it could be HPV. I only get that from here.
My recommendation is that people on this thread do not assume that you have a rare, mysterious form of HPV that has stumped all medical experts. Good luck to everyone.
Patrick_Bateman jake28951
Posted
I used to be like you... & highly value any old doctor for their "credentials" w a naive sense of awe... but ive been told conflicting information from every doctor ive talked to. urologists & gps have all been telling me there's not a test for men for HPV. They rush me out of the room & assure me that the redness on my glans is normal. They have no answer for the years' worth of parasthesia ive been feeling on the glans.
It was only my dermatologist who informed me of the labs that provide culture tests for HPV in men... & only he has listened & taken my condition seriously. he is convinced that i do not have a bacterial of fungal infection. my glans looks identical regarding red coloration to the original posters' picture.
Say no more tho... I have no problem w simply observing this thread from here on out.
panda46108 Patrick_Bateman
Posted
Hello everyone im a doctor myself suffered from this condition before ! One thing you people have to do is start eating healthy diet ,no stress ,stop smoking and driking alcohol and other bad food habita .dont keep thinking about it all the time just forget about it .have a regular sleep time ,regular exercise daily .take curcumin , folic acid tablets and Ahcc supplement daily follow this for 3months you will get a improvement for sure ..i have tried everything and finally cured due to this method ..! Hope everyone will be cured soon.and you people dont worry so much all the hpv strains are not cancerous .
panda46108
Posted
Even if nothing works out dont worry about hpv .. research is going on and already trail 1phase is over for the treatment for hpv and will be out soon.
Darty17 panda46108
Posted
panda46108, for the sake of truth and the scientific method, can you provide any information that would confirm that you are, in fact, a medical doctor? Additionally, links to information about this stage 1 trial for HPV medicine would be beneficial as well.
I ask this, because I am a doctor as well, just not a medical one. I would never want to misrepresent myself.
panda46108 Darty17
Posted
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30703534
What proof ?i dont understand why should i need to lie ?no use to me !
jtheige Patrick_Bateman
Posted
I feel somewhat guilty here of fanning the HPV flame so let me now play Devil's advocate to my own previous post(s)... hear me out...
From what I've been able to a ascertain through my doctors and my own research; you can be born with certain strains of HPV (passed on from mother to child). An example if this would be children who develop common warts. Theoretically, one of the genital strains could also be transmitted similarly and therefore maybe just something you're born with.
My point is, we likely have all been exposed and re-exposed to various strains throughout our entire lives. Our bodies change with each decade of adult life and eventually we will see some result of these or new infections as we age. However, it doesn't mean we're specifically at certain risk for any of those infections (or exposures) to develop into something more scary (e.g. cancer).
Much like mole growths or other skin changes; even abnormal cells don't always progress to cancer. Case in point, I've had two moles removed over the past year that were found to moderately atypical under a microscope. However, I've had both of them since I was a kid so who knows how long they were "atypical".
All this being said, all we can do is monitor our skin and report any major changes to a doctor when (and a big if) major changes finally occur. This last part is true no matter if your issue is related to fungus, bacteria or HPV.
Therefore, when you find a new normal (such as daily use of oil) and you can get back to living then maybe you can do exactly that... get on with living your life. Chances are you just may see the greatest improvement overall from simply removing the stress and anxiety.
Self-diagnosis and Dr.Google certainly doesn't help reduce stress or anxiety. I vote that we all try to use this forum more as a place where we can all receive support, reassurance and important updates, rather than a place to fan the flames ( so to speak).
I vow to do my part in that effort from here on out. Take care, be well and keep on keeping on...
jtheige panda46108
Posted
Just offering my personal experience with wizbang laser treatment for warts...
In 2017, I had my first HPV warts removed with a CO2 laser and it was one of the worst and most painful experiences of my life to date. I had gone to a sexual health clinic and opted for the laser treatment out of pressure from the doctor and fear.
This coming from someone who has had several painful surgeries and injuries throughout my life ( including things like strangulated bursting hemorrhoids, bilateral Incisional Inguinal Hernia surgery, etc.). In other words, I am no stranger to pain or to painful surgeries.
It took almost two years for my skin to recover from laser. Thankfully, I chose to forgo laser therapy two months later when another small cluster showed up elsewhere. In that case, I did my research, found a dermatologist who performed the excision and cauterize method (and also performed a biopsy to rule out cancerous-type warts). I healed from the second procedure in three weeks with no scarring... the laser scars are still somewhat present today.
I would always do your research before considering CO2 laser as a treatment for any skin ailment.
Just my two cents on this topic, which is also noted to be somewhat off topic from the purpose of this forum post as well.
Darty17 panda46108
Posted
Than you for linking that article.
as for the other, it's of use to you if you want other people to possibly believe you. that is all I was going for.
jesse86431 Patrick_Bateman
Posted
dont just observe. we value your contributions greatly. im on hpv team theory
toby_18315 panda46108
Posted
Ignore him mate.. somehow this group has become overun with pedantic individuals who seem intent on arguing and causing a fuss, despite clearly having no actual clue whats wrong with themselvs. I've been on this group longer than most and it used to be a nice place to come for support and to share your experiences in the hope that yours may help another. Thats seems all but lost now with all these idiots joining. Regardless I appreciated your comments and will be giving your suggestions a try 👍
Patrick_Bateman jesse86431
Posted
Cool, man... i will be updating you on my visit w a group of infectious disease specialists. i have to go thru my derm on Tues first... hopefully the referral is fast. the infectious disease specialists deal primarily w AIDs, Hepatitis & various other STDs.
i think that what Panda is saying is valid regarding the lifestyle changes. More sleep, physical activity during the day, lowering anxiety... all to boost the immune system.
Personally, i have been an active person my entire life. Ive never been really sick. ive been sexually active, but had not months prior to oral sex w a stranger. & then the symptoms started. & it has consumed me.
ill just sit around some afternoons bc i dont want to get up, walk around & feel the rubbing sensation. my dog walks, which i used to love, are infrequent relative to how i used to be. i stopped weightlifting. i find myself trying a little less hard at work physically. what im trying to communicate is... this is not something in my head or something that has only had a minor effect.
i HOPE & WISH that the specialists i will be seeing tell me it's bacterial or fungal. A bacterial or fungal infection would be much easier to treat/ cure than a viral infection that can hide in the nerve cells & constantly reemerge on the skin surface.
IF it is HPV, then i am at year 3 almost to the day since my initial "flare-up."
btw any of us who seem argumentative or frustrated... it's bc we are. there should be a tolerance among us for this bc we are all dealing w something involving our penis that is having a daily effect on our lives.
jake28951 Patrick_Bateman
Posted
Best of luck to you. Truly sorry that you contracted HPV and I hope medical science catches up with you sooner or later.