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
milesray Jason1327
Posted
Yes, also a bit sore on the glans and a bit during urination with a decreased flow over the last 2.5 years since this started ( may 50% of before).
Mr_Jim milesray
Posted
Exactly the same for me, also lots of dryness on the head and remaining scar tissue from the circumcision. I also experience redness and swelling in parts of the scar tissue. There has definitely been a cell mutation of sort, which I believe is causing acute phimosis. My penis seems to get a lot hotter during erection, almost like too much blood flow or some sort of infection.
I also noticed my flow rate dropped over the summer, just after the issues started. I had a cystoscopy to rule out obstructions and infection.
I just wish the UK health system provided male HPV tests... Its frankly crazy that men are sidelined given that the rate of infection would surely decrease if experts includes men in vaccine tests.
Steves8012 Jason1327
Posted
So in relation to HPV ive been tested a number of times both GUM and privately. I assume they don't test for this?
milesray Steves8012
Posted
I also am having both oral and genital issues that started nearly the same time. They do not test for HPV in men or orally routinely. I did the testing myself using the self collect system and was pos for the same two stains in both areas. After doing that on my own my doctors then bought into the HPV theory but do not have any real treatments as yet. I did start to self treat - see my previous post - and everyday now I am more and more certain that it is working. I will retest in 30 days (60 days of treatment) and post new results.
Mr_Jim milesray
Posted
Do you mind me asking what your oral issues are?
Also do you suffer from dryness on the penis head and foreskin?
milesray Mr_Jim
Posted
Orally is a generalized pain (tightening)of the mucosal tissues that over about 9 months spread to the throat and lungs. Now have CT scans and biopsy that show scarring ( fibrous ) of those tissues. For me I am seeing a general thickening / fibrosis of the mucosal tissues.
agustin30650 Jason1327
Posted
does your skin also peel like this?
C56026 agustin30650
Posted
yes
jake39738 agustin30650
Posted
for me it used to peel for the first two months of having it, then it stopped. I've had this thing for a year now and it doesn't peal anymore.
cristiano30765 agustin30650
Edited
Hi.. I found this one https://patient.info/forums/discuss/glans-goes-from-dry-peeling-to-red-irritated-in-cycles-639512
That is a big peeling in my opinion, and a bit different from the cases here saying they suspect HPV. Which are a little more about small lumps and redness/spots.
That post refers, candida, as I also suspect and have yet to do Fluconazol to rule it out. 3 Medics including Dermatologist, and with urine/exudate did NOT tell me to do it, but if this continue, I might. This discomfort and redness at the tip of the urethra...
Not sure if its your case though.
It also refers the problem of cleaning and keeping clean at all times, I'am still trying, it's hard, and its true that leaving sperm on it will make feel worse.
Good luck and please keep sharing your findings and opinions about the meds.
agustin30650 Jason1327
Posted
this is happening to me in cycles , after the peeling everything is fine , I have checked stds and nothing , I am checking for trich now. its like 2 years of this now
jake39738 agustin30650
Posted
Same. It happens to me like once per month/ 2 months and then everything seems better. I still have no idea why it happens in cycles.
jack17544 Jason1327
Posted
I had unprotected oral sex 3 months ago 1-2 days after that I noticed some redness and an irritation. All STD tests have came back negative, i tried cream for thrush and bacterial infections didnt work. Also had Docycxline for a week didnt help either. GP's think it all in my head, Urologist thinks its nothing to worry about and suggested using Vaseline. I spoke to a Dermatologist today who said the penis has went through some 'trauma' (the oral sex) and thats why the skin has changed. Told me to use some sensitive soap for 2 weeks but im not hopeful.
I'm so depressed about the whole thing I feel ill never get better. im finding the struggle harder everyday. ive never had mental health issues before but im currently taking anti depressants and seeing a therapist over this issue. i'd give anything to get better at the moment.
BigDaddyShane jack17544
Posted
We're in the same boat. Your story sounds very similar to mine. It sucks!
C56026 jack17544
Posted
do not worry, this is exactly the same thing happened to me i was drunk amd i remember vaguely my penis was streched further than usual on that day of unprotected sex, i tested for all stds and nothing came back. Several dermos doctors had different opinions. i still have it after 2 years. Some think its "licen scelorosis" . It has also something that to do with my gut too. some food irrirate it more. Do not panic it is nothing serious i think. I don't eat shy sugar related food and now no irritaion but peeling still there. hope this helps to calm you down let's work together for a solution.
SADJ jack17544
Posted
I've been struggling with this for more than a year. Tried many anti-fungal creams, but they did not really work. I have been given Doxycycline as well for a different health problem, but for one month instead of a week. I noticed that the redness slowly disappeared after ~3/3.5 weeks. I had no symptoms for about one week, but then it came back. Although it sucks that it came back, I think my case is something bacterial instead of fungus. I read that Mycoplasma Genitalium can also cause balanitis, and I've seen reports that Doxycycline helps temporarily for this; I think I'll test for this and Trichomonas.
Steves8012 jack17544
Posted
Similar story (although protected). Literally driving me crazy trying to sort and not helped as now can't receive medical assistance due to more pressing issues globally. Was hoping though some of these accounts there would be a hint of a solution but nothing as yet. Im currently slapping on Trimovate but it's not doing a great deal. Im convinced its bacterial but have been told by doctors differently. Its really quite painful at times so im not down with the 'its in your head' and CPPS diagnosis due to how and when it came about.
Steves8012 SADJ
Posted
Ive done two rounds of Doxy but no joy (that's not to say we have the same issue so might work for you). Most sites also suggest that Trich cant be passed orally
cristiano30765 jack17544
Edited
Seems similar. The first thing I remember is after sex noticing darker stains. Took canesten, it passed. Came back and I tried other basic creams and it ALSO passed, so it seemed hydration or hygiene, as medics say. But it CANT BE, its something else.
No doubt now I have to clean it much better to avoid pain but there is something more/else.
After this, oral sex also made the redness, little red spots, discomfort come back...
What it is? either small HPV warts, some bacteria that got into urethra and prostate?! Medics have no idea as you all noticed already, its a little laughable that they give us BATH lotions for this crap, that is literally destroying our lives.
Just today my skin was super dry ("desert like skin") and urethra seems to be getting a little wider at the tip.
My dermatologist tested my saliva for some crap too, absolutely all is negative.
But without some repairing cream, my penis shape is truly depressing, with red spots coming and going, 2 years after I first noticed.
I never did Doxy or Metronidazol... I just wanted to know what it was, but it seems it wouldnt have worked since you tried.