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

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  • Posted

    Hi Jack, sorry to read about this and I suffer from the same issues myself. How is it going now?

    • Posted

      Hey,

      Apologies for the late reply, I don't check this very often. Unfortunately I have yet to find a lasting solution. I've done numerous tests (including a cystoscopy) and tried different creams, nothing has really worked.

      My most recent appointment was with a dermatologist who specializes in genital issues. Due to COVID-19, I wasn't able to go to an in person consultation with him, but we spoke on the phone and I sent over some photos.

      He noticed some scaling on the skin and thinks it could be genital psoriasis. So right now I'm on a non-steroidal cream called Dovonex to try and resolve that (been using it for a week, no changes so far).

      Every cream I've tried seems to worsen the issue a bit, but I'm always open to trying new ones. I'll keep you updated on my situation if there are any changes. How's it been for you? Are you holding up alright?

  • Posted

    Hello. I've had a very similar experience to you. Same symptoms, same experience with doctors and urologist. How are your symptoms now?

    • Posted

      **Hey, I've gotten a number of new replies here so I'm just going to copy and paste my responses. Let me know if you have any questions. **

      Hey,

      Apologies for the late reply, I don't check this very often. Unfortunately I have yet to find a lasting solution. I've done numerous tests (including a cystoscopy) and tried different creams, nothing has really worked.

      My most recent appointment was with a dermatologist who specializes in genital issues. Due to COVID-19, I wasn't able to go to an in person consultation with him, but we spoke on the phone and I sent over some photos.

      He noticed some scaling on the skin and thinks it could be genital psoriasis. So right now I'm on a non-steroidal cream called Dovonex to try and resolve that (been using it for a week, no changes so far).

      Every cream I've tried seems to worsen the issue a bit, but I'm always open to trying new ones. I'll keep you updated on my situation if there are any changes. How's it been for you? Are you holding up alright?

    • Posted

      use aloe vera not cream natyral aloe vera take a leaf cut in the middle and use in your head leave for 20min and wash with warm water

    • Posted

      have had the same problem for 2 1/2 years, have tried just about everything, you have any luck yet?

  • Posted

    Any luck so far Jack? I've been dealing with this issue for almost a year now and its extremely fustrating. Sounds like I have the same exact condition you have. A few things im dealing with is redness, dry scaly glans, and an aching annoying pain after urinating. I never feel any discomfort when urinating, but several minutes - hours after, ill notice an annoying weird pain. Definitely nota sharp one. in addition, it changes color at one specific spot randomly to a slight orange like color. i tried anti fungal creams, antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral oral pills, but nothing seems to work. The best relief for my discomfort is when i shower. Currently trying coconut oil to see if thatll help, but highly doubt it. I really hope we all find a solution on this...

  • Edited

    I've been going through exactly the same process and the images show shockingly similar symptoms to mine, quite sore looking tip with speckles further down, mainly in the middle, but definitely on the sides of the helmet.

    Symptoms started with burning sensation while passing urine, followed by the rash. The burning sensation has abated to virtually nothing, if anything at all now. The thought process you had was exactly the same too, ah, must be an STI, no -tested twice-, yeast, no, has to be bacterial then ? currently a maybe.

    I have not had unprotected sex with anyone, but i have received unprotected oral sex and it was a week or so after that that i got these symptoms. Don't know if that's a coincidence or a cause. I also suffered slight mouth sores at the same time, but this has been reduced to almost nothing by stringent use of mouth wash and flossing. Again, may be a co-incidence, but stands to reason if i did get something from receiving oral sex, the same mouth was used for kissing, so any bacteria would be passed on there too.

    I'm 4 months in this hole now, and sorry to say, I've still had no resolution for the penile side of things. Anti fungal creams offered some initial relief, but i think that's just due to reduced friction or causing a barrier, not due to active ingredients. After prolonged use, they simply aggravated the situation in my opinion. (Oral anti fungal did nothing.) I'm currently on some fusidic acid 20mg/g anti biotic cream with Netamethasone steroid. Initially it seemed to work, but unfortunately the speckles still remain, just reduced, under the skin. I can't help but think that this is again not due to the active ingredients, just that the cream isn't actively aggravating the situation. I'm currently waiting on a swab and urine test, but I'm not hopeful. I am going to push for some antibiotic tablets on the vague hope they will be the golden bullet, I'll revert if i get some and they are.

    Masturbation or Sex are a pipe dream at the moment, and judging by the comments below, probably for a long time. Sad times.

    • Edited

      CPPS / Prostatitis most likely. Neuromuscular/nerve related. Pelvic Floor Stretching and relaxing about the situation helps. Join the Prostatitis and PelvicFloor groups in R e d d i t and you'll see how this is a common symptom of that. I have the same and it started after oral sex. Another good resource is c u r e c p p s . c o m

    • Posted

      What is your next course of action? Similar situation.

    • Edited

      I had a urine and swab test last month and the only thing they found was yeast, so they've got me on double the dose of Fluconazole 50mg capsules for twice as long. (2/day for 4 weeks) I've seen no noticeable improvement in 3 weeks so far, so I've got a call with my doctor today. I'll push for some antibiotics in case it is indeed Prostatitis. Not sure how it can be though, the only symptoms I've got is the ever present red speckling / rash - identical to the images posted above- and the occasional burning while urinating.

      Ever hopeful of some resolution..

  • Edited

    Hi Jack and all, I have had this same issue for almost a year and a half and found out finally what (I think so far) was wrong with me. (still taking treatment)

    first symptoms started out of the blue, I first noticed small red bumps when erect (looks same

    as your pictures) then it progressed to a red rashy type irritation, which seemed to get worse. Any soap besides the mildest baby soaps caused painful irritation and sometimes swelling. I was tested for every STD and STI you can think of, pee samples for UTI ect, blood work all came back clean and good besides slightly high cholesterol! I tried all sorts of creams, polysporin you name it it did not work. As you all described any soap, masturbation, sex with my wife made it "flare up" or get worse. I ended up with having erectile dysfunction problems which i thought maybe it was mental because of what was happening. I got so desperate at one time I tried lysol spray which I don't recommend it caused almost a burn like rash that was not nice ! DO NOT DO THIS

    I got an ultrasound of my bladder and prostate and all seemed fine, even rectal prostate exam seemed somewhat normal besides from a little pain and Dr. said it felt a little "punky" ? but nothing to worry about.

    I had been reading forums steady trying to figure it out as even by this post so many people have the same issue and it goes undiagnosed. I used prescribed lotriderm and it did help but always came back.

    After doing a ridiculous amount of online research and In talking to my Dr I asked if prolonged untreated prostatitus would maybe caused these symptoms, as I have had prostatitus in the past (which was treated ) and maybe it was chronic? She said it very well could and decided to try and prescribe me a certain antibiotic which is a 30 day treatment. Three days in the rash is gone, 1 week in and I can use normal soaps again without irritation!! 10 days and having sex with my wife and masturbation does not irritate!!!!, the small red bumps when erect still seem to be there but are less pronounced. I still have about 20 days left on the treatment but the last 10 days the improvements are amazing. I hope what I have is the same and that this helps even a few or even 1 person.

    The drug I am taking is Ciprofloxacin 500mg

    Again i hope this helps its an amazing feeling to feel normal again 😃

    • Posted

      Antibiotics have anti inflamatory effect. Cipro I've heard damage your tendons. Don't do sports while taking it. Read about it

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