Penile Rash/Balanitis Not Responding to Treatment
Posted , 170 users are following.
This all began when it started to burn while I urinated. I went to the doctors because I thought it was a UTI, but the test came back negative. Got tested for STD's, the tests also came back negative.
Ok no big deal, I thought. Maybe this will go away on its own. I then started developing a rash on the tip of the penis and along the base that burned post urination and during ejaculation.
I did some research online and thought it was probably a yeast infection. Bought some Canesten and tried applying it twice a day for a week. I also took the pill (Fluconazole). This resulted in no change in the symptoms.
Went back to the doc, who then prescribed Fucidin H cream (Hydrocortisone 1% Fusidic Acid 2%). I rubbed it on twice a day for a week, no change.
Went to a Urologist who did an examination (but no further tests) and told me I could get circumcised, but apart from that offered no further solutions. Told me it could be prostatitis.
I then went to a Dermatologist, who looked at it and prescribed me Loprox anti-fungal cream with hydrocortisone (1%) told me to use it twice daily on the area for one month. I then switched to just Loprox because it appeared as though hydrocortisone was making the irritation worse. The Dermatologist told me to go see the urologist again if symptons don't improve.
I'm still applying Loprox two weeks into treatment, and the changes are minimal if any. The rash goes down at the tip and expands at the base, almost triangular in shape. There are small scales (or maybe cracks) in the skin, and the area is red, almost as if inflamed. I have no discharge from the penis. Any kind of friction (i.e. masturbation) makes the redness and burning much, much worse. I have been abstaining from that for now and only washing the area with warm water. I have thrown out all my heavily scented soaps.
I am in the process of attempting to get an appointment with another urologist in order to get a second opinion. Topical creams don't seem to be doing much, but I am going to keep putting Loprox on it for now. I feel like the Docs have been kind of brushing me off/don't want or don't know how to deal with balanitis. Nothing I am really doing is working, so I'm wondering if anyone else has any solutions.
The following links I will attach contain some photos of the condition I'm experiencing:
Moderator comment:I have deleted the links to the images as they went to a site unsuitable for inclusion in the forums. Users can upload images directly to this site by using the image icon at the top of reply boxes.
9 likes, 368 replies
chris85268 jack05468
Posted
Same thing here, have tried everything but nothing worked...considering CBD infused ointment now as it is supposed to work with some skin conditions like Psoriasis
daniel-fresh chris85268
Posted
Have you tried tacrolimus or pimecrolimus 1% ?
The only thing that worked for my inflammation.
Guest jack05468
Posted
Hey Jack, Any update on your situation? I am suffering from the same issue for more than a year now.
jack05468
Edited
Hey Grass,
Since I last posted I've seen a few more doctors. I saw another urologist that prescribed me a course of antibiotics which I haven't started taking yet, due to it being a pretty long course and there was no diagnostic testing done to confirm the presence of bacteria. They suspected a case of prostatits. I also saw another dermatologist who prescribed me Elidel, an anti-inflamatory cream. I'm currently trying that out for a month, twice a week to see if it makes any difference (so far, none really). If it doesn't work in a month or so I'll go back and get a penile biopsy.
It's been more than a year for me as well and I'm still experiencing symptoms, both internal and external. I haven't had much luck with urologists so far, as they've all seemed rather dismissive of my situation. I still have blotchy redness/rash like symptoms on the glans, but it is very strange - almost as if the redness is sub-dermal. I still get occasional burning and stinging while urinating and ejaculating. Overall it's been an absolute hell and really hard on my mental state and health, but I'm trying really hard to find a solution. I will post here whenever I do, trying to keep this thread alive.
Do you suffer from any other symptoms? Any kind of burning on the skin, or scaring of the meatus? Or any type of stinging while urinating and ejaculating?
Anthony2122 jack05468
Posted
I currently have the same symptoms and apple cider vinegar will temporarily remove them but they come back after a couple of days. I have not tried applying it daily as it does pop the pimples and does burn. Im not sure if its a good method but has been the only one to completely remove them. Maybe it can be a bacterial infection as acv has antibacterial propertys?
a8888 jack05468
Posted
I have the same symptoms since 18 months and my glans looks just like yours, maybe a little less red around the meatus. I've been to several dermatologists and and urologist. I've been on every "-azol" cream you can imagine, oral fluconazole, antibiotic cream, oral antibiotic, nothing helped. I've been tested twice with every STIs on 12 months interval, all tests came back negative (blood + PCR / Culture). HSV1 positive. I've tried valacyclovir for a 15 days thinking of a redness related to HSV - didn't work. Vaseline slightly helps with the dryness, that's it.
I'm thinking about HPV related symptoms, that's the only option on the table. I afforded to get some ALDARA cream (Ubiquimod 5%) which is extremely potent (used against HPV genital warts and skin cancer), I'm currently reading medical litterature about its use, I'm still very afraid to put it on my glans as it's known to induce chemical burns and I'm not sure the situation is so bad to take the risk. Medical litterature shows succesful uses on the glans though - as it's an inhibitor of the immune system it could be useful.
It's not really disturbing as no one of my partners ever notice whatever, but as you already know it's psycologically hard. As I probably got this from South America, my plan is to see doctor when I get back there - they will probably have a different view on the problem. I noticed on videos that many guys from South America have the same problems, they don't seem to care too much about it though.
Does anyone have tried ALDARA 5% ?
Calif jack05468
Edited
I have the same symptoms for 9 months. Been at three top urologists (including Stanford University) and everything points to non-bacterial prostatitis (CPPS) caused by anxiety / contraction of pelvic floor muscles. CPPS is a mind-body condition. The few people who cure from it do it so through a hollistic approach (PF stretches, meditation/mindfulness, spacing out sex/masturbation (as that puts a strain on the injured PF muscles), reduce or eliminate caffeine intake). A journalist from BBC has a good article on how he cured from it using meditation. Reason for the redness is that all the urinary organs/nerves/muscles are connected. So the pain/inflammation radiates all the way to the glans. You probably get the redness worse when stressed or after sex/masturbation. I got my anxiety under control after seeing a therapist and psychatrist and taking Elavil daily (anti depressant). Symptoms improved but not fully cured. If I don't ejaculate in like 5 day I notice big improvements until next ejaculation. Moderate weekly exercise is also important (preferably upper body to not harm more the PF muscles). Learning about Cognitive Behavioral Therapy has also helped me reduce anxiety (and reduce symptoms)
jake28951 Calif
Posted
Can you link that BBC article?
Calif jake28951
Posted
sure!, below the article:
Prostatitis: 'How I meditated away chronic pelvic pain'
https://www.bbc.com/news/health-44910438
jack05468 Calif
Posted
Thanks for posting here Calif. Interesting you say this is due to CPPS. I'd like to know more about your diagnostic journey. What treatments/tests did you try? What led the urologists to this diagnoses? Is your irritation always there?
The last urologist I saw said it was due to prostatitis, but also said the inflammation on the glans was within normal range (it's not). Did your tests also come up negative? I recently came across CPPS as a possible cause but didn't think much of it, so it's interesting that you've brought it up. Do your glans look like my photos?
The redness does get considerably worse after masturbating, and I'm still having urinary issues (burning). I'll do some more investigating and bring this condition up with the next urologist or doc I see.
Calif jack05468
Edited
sorry, just saw this. Yes, all my std and culture tests in the last 2 years negative. Redness exactly as in your pictures, though not constant. Redness intensifies more after ejaculation and periods of stress. Also burning while/after urinating always.
Again, look into CPPS (aka: non-bacterial prostatitis)
morgan08 jack05468
Posted
hey man sorry you've been dealing with this. Would you mind to try to stay in contact? Because I've been having the EXACT same issue since early august. red, cracked, dry on the glans and with a swollen/irritated urethra. Have done antibiotics, antifungal and yeast creams, etc. with no relief or improvement. burns worse post urination like you said, and sex/masturbation isnt possible due to how bad it burns and it gets extremely red during/afterwards. Good luck and maybe we can stay in touch in case one of us find something that helps.
jack05468 morgan08
Posted
Hey morgan08,
Of course we can stay in contact. Like I mentioned earlier I always check back on this thread once in a while to see if there are any new posts or updates. As I continue along to try and find a solution to this I will post here as well. Really, my only newest update to this is that I managed to do a 'sperm culture' where they test your sperm for bacteria but they found nothing. This seems to rule out bacteria as the cause, as urine and sperm both pass through the prostate. Has anything helped you thus far?
morgan08 jack05468
Posted
hey man I’ve been dealing with this exact same thing just the way you describe it. Looks identical too, maybe less swollen around urethra is all. Especially when erect or masturbating do your glans get really dry, and like wrinkly or really cracked? Mine dry out instantly if i get hard. I t burns really bad Post urination and during and after sex, pain is pretty bad then. maybe we could stay in contact, in case either of us make progress on this. Good luck bud
gra41109 jack05468
Posted
Hi.
I have just the same. Been too 4 doctors, all given me cream,, canesten, daktacort, fucidin...and candizol pills.
Say that this is some short of yeast infection and balinitis. But one doctor said he didn´t really know what to say or call it.
My balls hurt too , but I think its just when i'm super nervous. I have been having sex this weekend and masturbate, it's havent get much more red afterwards like it use to. But I have been dealing with this for 2-3 months now.
I cant imagine how you have been feeling for nearly one year...