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Patch of skin on penis not healing?

Posted , 6 users are following.

brandon82473
brandon82473

Hi there,

I have had a patch of skin trying to heal on my penis for about a month or more so far, but it has not successfully healed. I initially tried using hydrocortisone cream and Vaseline to protect it, which did help temporarily, but then it came back. As a result, I got an STI/STD test done in mid July and learned I was negative for various STIs/STDs (HIV Type 1, HIV Type 2, Herpes 1, Herpes 2, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Syphilis). This was helpful in easing some internal stress, especially since I haven't had intercourse with anyone since December and have not done anything sexually with anyone since February.

Once early August came with not much progress, I went to the dermatologist and learned that I had Molluscum Contagiosum bumps on my penis (one of which was near this area of skin), so the dermatologist removed them via curettage and told me I needed to do nothing to help the areas heal following the removal. I was putting a band aid and some Neosporin on the area just in case, but it has now been about a week since, so I feel uncertain to continue using it. I am supposed to schedule another appointment with my dermatologist in two weeks, but the patch of skin has really been bothering me specifically.

I genuinely can't tell if the skin healing or not. I've essentially cut out any masturbation, as I know it would disturb the skin, and as I stated earlier, I've not had sexual activity with anyone since February. I'm not really sure what's happening and I just want things to go back to normal. I've attached pictures before and after curettage and the skin as of today. Please help me figure out what to do or how to treat this. I am scared this will never heal and won't be able to be sexually active with anyone again.

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1 like, 16 replies

16 Replies

  • Worriewart247
    Worriewart247 brandon82473

    Posted

    it looks like Molluscum contagiosum

    • Worriewart247
      Worriewart247

      Posted

      oops i reread and saw thats what you have it can take weeks to months to completly heal

    • brandon82473
      brandon82473 Worriewart247

      Posted

      Yes, I stated that I did have it removed, but I am talking about the dry patch of skin

    • Worriewart247
      Worriewart247 brandon82473

      Posted

      you can put a small amount of coconut oil on it. but unfortunatly they take a long time to fully heal althose yours have healed nicely. it not unheard of to have to have the removal process done twice.

    • brandon82473
      brandon82473 Worriewart247

      Posted

      I just don't know how long this dry skin patch will last for, I feel like it's been around for months. I did notice those few molluscum bumps in like mid March, so I'm glad I got them removed last week. Could the bumps have caused the skin to become dry like that? Would doing nothing and just letting it heal be the best option?

    • Worriewart247
      Worriewart247 brandon82473

      Posted

      you just got them removed a week ago. they can take weeks to months to heal

      yours are actually healing qiuicker than most. you can use coconut oil if the dryness is bothering you. it is best to let the natural healing process occur.

  • Wee_Dugie
    Wee_Dugie brandon82473

    Edited

    Photo 2 in particular suggests you have excessively dry skin. This can have something to do with the way in which you have reacted to having the Molluscum - such as washing your penis more regularly, or using a medical soap - as examples.

    Try to limit any contact for your penis with soap and shower gel - simply water to clean is the best approach. When you shower NEVER apply soap or shower gel directly to your penis - wash everywhere else on your body then fully rinse your penis and entire groin region using warm, NEVER hot running shower water, rub with the inside of your hand and fingertips to clean your penis with the water.

    The essential is that you remove ALL moisture from your entire penile skin, as well as your groin. Be really careful when you dry the damaged skin areas on your penis - often simply patting dry with a towel is the way to deal with the worst areas.

    The Derm appointment in 2 weeks should guide you more on dealing with enabling your damaged skin to recover further - a relatively mild steroid ointment may be helpful, but the dermatologist will guide you on the best approach for this

    • brandon82473
      brandon82473 Wee_Dugie

      Edited

      Would a moisturizer be helpful, if so, is there a specific brand that would help? Photo 2, 3, and 4 were directly after the Molluscum was removed, so just in case, I have attached this attached picture I took this morning in case the progress needs to be seen. image

    • Wee_Dugie
      Wee_Dugie brandon82473

      Edited

      I think you are going to need an appropriate topical steroid to enable the skin to repair and fully heal itself - I would contact the dermatologist and send them the most recent photo you have posted here

    • brandon82473
      brandon82473 Wee_Dugie

      Posted

      Hey, just wanted to give a progress update and ask for your advice/thoughts. I've been following your earlier advice to stop using any body washes or any sort of product on my penis, which has seemed to help a lot. The skin itself texture wise feels a bit more similar to the regular healed skin around it, but it obviously is still healing and is still a bit dry appearance wise. I have not contacted my dermatologist as a result of this, since my appointment is in less than 7 days now. What are your thoughts? Are things healing as normal, is there anything else I should be doing? Thank you!image

    • Wee_Dugie
      Wee_Dugie brandon82473

      Posted

      I know the temptation is, now you have the distressed skin heading in the right direction is there something else you can do to make it even better.

      As for 'normal' healing, this is a very individual thing, but the general rule is once you have something positive going on, keep doing the same thing. The repair and healing process can seemingly just go on and on - really, anything of note takes months to achieve, rather than days or even weeks.

      My advice would be simply to continue what you are doing now - wait until you see the dermatologist - by all means update on what the dermatologist says ....

    • brandon82473
      brandon82473 Wee_Dugie

      Posted

      Hello again! I just had my dermatologist appointment. She said that she didn't seem to observe any new molluscum lesions, and that she thought the spots I did have them have been healing properly. She said that I should use a 1% hydrocortisone cream 2 times daily for 1 - 2 weeks in order to help things heal, but that it would likely heal okay if I let it be like I have been--it would just take a little bit longer. As of now, my plan is to try using a hydrocortisone cream (grabbed an Aveeno branded one) to see if it'll get better.

    • Wee_Dugie
      Wee_Dugie brandon82473

      Posted

      Thanks for the update - update again if you have further issues or problems .....

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