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
Guest jack05468
Edited
Hey gents,
I too have the exact same issue! Mine came about in January this year. I find it flares up and down. Never all the way down though. I tried over the counter thrush treatments thinking that was the case and it wasn't. I should note: This has never been painful or itchy at all!
I went to my GP in April who had a look, despite there being major inflammation on my glans and foreskin and he told me "he didn't think there was an issue" despite me telling him this isn't normal (I'm in the process of possibly suing him for clinical negligence, but that's a story for another day!)
After having no luck from my useless GP at the time, I took it upon myself to visit a dermatologist. It cost a lot of money but I had to do something. He had a look at me and at first tried Fucidin cream, which didn't work. He then tried me on Lotriderm which is a Betamethasone steroid based ointment. He told me to apply it nightly for 4 weeks. During the course of this treatment, I didn't see major changes and by the last night applying, thought my condition hadn't changed. I stopped using it and within about a week, my symptoms had gotten a good 90% better!!!
Three months later and my symptoms have unfortunatley returned. I have since changed GP surgeries and I am now seeing a doctor who actually cares and wants to see me get better and most of all....can see a problem!!
I've been given another round of Lotriderm to see if it improves.
One thing I must add...I have been diagnosed with Chronic Pelvic Pain. Granted that is an umbrella term but alongside these symptoms on my penile glans and foreskin, I've had horrific pain in my general pelvic region. I'm currently seeing a pelvic floor physiotherapist, she mentioned she'd had a few guys say they'd had skin changes when dealing with this condition.
During my worst times with pelvic pain, my penis would cramp up and appear very small and very narrow and my balls would often retract too as if it was cold. Something to do with the muscles and nerves down there apparently.
Has anyone else noticed changes in their overall shape or size of their head of their penis? Mine used to be perfectly flat where the corona of glans sits but is now enlarged (my GP is aware of this too!). I'm hoping it's nothing to worry about. I just wonder if it's a case of inflammation and muscle cramping in my penis living with this awful condition that has contributed to it. Who knows? Maybe I'll find out one day.
Rest assured though, I just want to say, you gentlemen are not alone! This is something we're all living with and we will get better. Keep pushing your doctors, your urologists, your dermatologists. Let's keep each other updated and get through this.
Tizio Guest
Posted
I have been struggling with this situation for a year, it seems there have been some improvements, but very slight, nothing striking. Unfortunately when it all started I could have saved the situation by using only emollient creams, but unfortunately I used a cortisone cream (DESAMIXIN EFFE) which only made the situation worse, since all the doctors say that I have nothing, no infections, no diseases of the skin. In fact, there have been slight improvements, leaving the skin to rest for two months without creams or anything else, so this would exclude pathologies, but the skin is now sensitive and it seems it takes a long time to recover. I hope we'll all get out of it, because I've really tried them all.
Guest Tizio
Posted
I might just leave it then and see what happens!
To be honest, it's less bothersome after using the Lotriderm for 4 weeks straight. It doesn't appear like it does in the photos I attached, just appears a bit red across the glans and foreskin but nothing that looks concerning.
My new GP is testing for everything though, including penile cancer just so he can rule everything out.
I have lost a lot of weight recently but I believe that is due to my work schedule and not being able to find time to eat during the day. I don't think I'd put 2 and 2 together.
Hang tight though gents, we will get through this, it is possible.
Tizio Guest
Posted
I think the only improvement I had was by a miracle, because I have tried them all, antibiotics, oral and in cream, oral antifungals, cortisone, emollient creams, it seems an incurable disease, it is frustrating and makes me very nervous, as well as getting worse my anxiety. The fact is that I started to feel better when I got EVERYTHING out of the way. Now I only use an emollient cream and vitamin E pills, but even without the cream it seems to be better. I just really don't know what to think, the doctors say I still haven't recovered because I used cortisone in April (it actually burned me, in the true sense of the word) but now it's been 5 months and I'm improving with incredible slowness, to the point that sometimes I don't understand if it's really improving.
Like you I did the tests for everything, all negative, I miss the biopsy, but I would like to avoid, the last dermatologist does not recommend it because he says that he is only irritated, but he has no diseases. Maybe I'm also thinking about some allergies, but what? I now only wash myself with water, soap makes everything worse. But I feel that I will come out of it, if I have had an improvement, it is possible to heal, maybe it's just a game of waiting.
How did you get tested for penis cancer? Did you take a biopsy? To me the dermatologists and urologists have just ruled out, I don't know if you've seen a photo of me, maybe I'll load it later.
Guest Tizio
Edited
I haven't been tested yet. I imagine a urologist will have a good look and assess the situation and assess whether I'll need a biopsy or not. If I have to get one and it means checking for cancer then so be it. I'd much rather have the biopsy! But we shall see.
As mine flares up and down it's unlikely it will be anything cancerous and just a skin condition, which over time can be managed.
Steves8012 Guest
Posted
Sounds similar to my journey except ive had a case of epididymitis thrown in. Been going on for ages and like yours comes and goes but to date no answers
Tizio Guest
Posted
Have you already seen doctors like dermatologists or other urologists?
alex87014 Guest
Posted
Hi, i have the exact same symptoms as you. Especially the penis cramping and getting smaller, also when it does it gets really hard. Does it help seeing the pelvic floor therapist?
Guest alex87014
Posted
Hi mate, I'm so glad you sent me this! Sounds exactly like what I went through.
You'll be thankful to know, it's not permanent, it gets better, it takes time but it does get better.
How long have you had this for?
This is what worked for me!
First, try to go for a walk, just once a day. It doesn't have to be far, just something to get those muscles moving.
Second, relax...seriously, your muscles are spasming and tightening in your pelvic region, so take it easy. Try to control your stress levels as best as you can. Have you had any trauma to the penis?
And third, yeah as you mentioned, pelvic floor therapy does wonders.
First things first, try to look at lower diaphragmatic breathing (youtube has examples) and be mindful of relaxing your muscles as much as possible. Just breath deep and slowly and try to let your body relax every muscle in your body. Sometimes when I'm sat at work at the computer I just sit and be mindful of my breathing and if theres any tension in my body.
I can send you some very straight forward stretches my physiotherapist sent me if you'd like? I do these every day, morning and night and my condition has improved massively over the last 4 months since I began them. Now, I get the odd bit of pain that lasts a day or so, once in a blue moon.
I know right now things might seem a bit worrying and a bit weird but I know myself, it's a very temporary issue, we'll help each other through this.
alex87014 Guest
Posted
Glad to hear there is still a chance of improvement! My issues started for almost 2 years ago as of today.
It all started with skin changes on the glans, red patches at first and the skin started to go dry. After couple of weeks the foreskin also got "infected" just like your pictures. There is a fine line where the redness just stops and never surpass.
And as of the cramping of the penis i have had for well over a year, on and off. Thought it was finally done with few weeks ago but now its back worse then ever. Constantly cramping, only way for it not to cramp is to lay down and dont f*****g move a muscle lol (unbearable).
Yes please do send me the stretches.
Guest alex87014
Edited
I had to look at your username, I honestly thought it was me who'd wrote that as our symptoms sound exactly the same. Have a look at these stretches, do them twice daily, first thing in morning and last thing before bed. Remember to breathe deeply and slowly using your lower diaphragm (as mentioned, there's guidance vids on youtube how to do this). Be patient, it won't get better straight away, it's a rocky road to recovery but I managed within the space of 6 months and I thought I was incurable. Let me know if you have any more questions or if I can be of any help. I want to help as many men as possible with this because of how miserable I was when I was at my worst.
alex87014 Guest
Posted
Hello again, sorry for my late reply.
So i've started doing these stretches and focused on my breathing throughout the day. Whilst doing the stretches and thinking on my breathing i get some relief, throughout the day i guess its still to early to notice any change.
Another thing i've noticed now that im focused on relaxing, especially when laying in bed is my penis fills with blood (to much flow)?, not to an erection size but bigger than it usually is in flaccid state. There seems to be no inbetween either its cramping up or when relaxing it fills with to much blood. Hard to explain but hope you understand. Anything you can relate to?
Also does your foreskin get kind of "sticky" if you dont have it retracted from the glans?
Guest alex87014
Posted
I've never had either if those issues. In regards to the blood flow, I would mention that to a pelvic floor physiotherapist. I will ask mine about your issue when I see them next, they are so knowledgable its amazing.
As for the foreskin, I've never noticed that, I just get the odd flare up of redness
Aston54 Guest
Posted
looks sore!! tried salt water bathing twice daily air dry it??
Aston54 jack05468
Posted
Hi Jack sounds very similiar to me..! frustrating. Did you find out the cause/treatment??