What is this rash?

Thanks for the reply. Really appreciate it.

Nurse at the clinic and Dr on GP visits, sorry if that was unclear.

I've cut out all soaps and other potential irritants for that area weeks ago with still no improvement. I've come across Balanitis when googling, yes. I'm wondering if this is some sort of bacterial form if the antifungal creams aren't working. I'm ensuring the penis is kept dry and clean as per your suggestions above. Is there not a way a Dr can determine if its bacterial? some sort of test? Think that would be first point of call rather than guessing and just chucking meds at patients

Sorry, the nurse did examine down there and said it looks like thrush. Given my sexual history and no other symptoms other than the redness she said its unlikely it's any sort of STI/STD but as i was there, i was told to give a urine sample to check for Chlamydia/gonorhea.

it was my second visit to the Dr who said after the first examination she didn't need to see it again as she previously thought there wasn't any redness

So let's take 2 of the issues here:

i.) " Is there not a way a Dr can determine if its bacterial " - yes if you are at a GP practice they could get a Nurse to do various swabs that could be culture tested - unfortunately medical professionals go down the route of trying one medication after another, rather than as our kind of logic would suggest. Much of this in the UK is based around meeting costs, if the test is done at practice level the practice has to meet the cost of staff and the NHS Trust funds the Test, whereas my guess is that costs of prescribed drugs are funded by the NHS on a national basis.

If you feel this could be an issue in getting 'sensible' things done in a 'sensible manner' I would go to the main Sexual Health Service for your area where costs generally would be much less of an issue!

ii.) It is my finding generally that good practices such as what i am suggesting need to be in place consistently for an extended period of months (3, 4, 6+ even) for real benefits to show on the skin of the head / glans

And finally, where you say " she previously thought there wasn't any redness " this would be the practitioner not believing that you had Balanitis present, although from my level of interpretation, and, if the photo you have posted gives an accurate view of the skin I would say there is some degree of Balanitis about what you have.

Simply, you know what is right for your penile skin, and you are on here in the belief that not everything is as it should be .....

I've tried to get another Drs appointment today with no luck. I agree completely with what you're saying, i know what's not right down there...

I've been to the sexual health clinic but no swab was done. As mentioned previously, the nurse simply said it looks like thrush here's some cream but give a urine sample to be safe.

I've not had the results yet, I'm going to chase those up today. Although, as I've said it's very unlikely to be STI/STD related. Near impossible unless the other half has been elsewhere...

I may have noticed some discharge at the top of the tip this morning, very little, but this has me freaking out again about a more serious cause...

I just want this sorted for my own piece of mind, anxiety is running rampant. Will keep you updated.

From the picture, it looks normal, from your description , it may be posthitis.

Go see a dermatologist that can examine your penis in person.

Never google health. If you do that, you will stop living.

All the explanations I have read do not suggest do not suggest this is Posthitis.

My suggestion would be to think about where your next appointment would best be: so far you do not seem to have mad a great deal of progress on this with the medical professionals you have seen so far.

This would suggest that you either see another GP, go to a different sexual health service, or ask to see a senior member of staff at the same sexual health service, or go to a GUM Clinic at your local General Hospital.

As the other respondent suggests, just for you to be aware that there are increasing numbers of Dermatologists in UK Hospitals that deal with Genital Skin Disorders. If you wanted to do a search for one in your area I would use search terms such as:

.

Genital Skin Specialist and link this with area of the country in which you live, or can easily travel to, you could also ask at, or phone any sexual health service how you would contact such a specialist department in your area .....

I don't think it's quite as simple as walking into a dermatologist? Surely I'd need some form of referral?

I'm slightly confused, is the sexual health clinic not the GUM clinic? I went to an open walk in CASH?

I'm going to try and get an appointment with a different GP tomorrow

If you live in the UK more and more NHS service providers will accept self-referrals.

GUM Clinics are always based at hospitals as certain routine procedures they only have carried out are linked to other conditions such as cancers effecting the body elsewhere to the genitals, and for surgery, such as where an accident has caused damage to the genitals, and for circumcision where it is required on medical grounds.

Sexual Health Services can be run by local NHS Trusts, often these are for specific groups such as for young people and are often termed "Drop-Ins" but most city centre ones are independent of NHS Trusts, so you could argue you will get better provision at these as they are the first-line, or primary care for the full range of sexual and genital health problems. The more severe or enduring problems are then 'referred-up' to hospital based, GUM Departments where the majority of surgery would be carried out for example.

No, you would not walk into a Dermatologist, so in the case of Genital Skin Specialist departments you could ring them, once you know where they are, obviously, and ask whether they accept self-referrals. You would probably be asked the kind of level of problem that you have and if it seems obvious that you require the service they may arrange an initial assessment with them or direct you to a particular Sexual Health Service with a view to being referred to them.

Hi mate,

Just thought id keep you updated. I've been back to the GPs office today and saw a different Dr (he seemed much more helpful). Explained the whole situation, he checked my blood pressure my temp and over the whole area.

He had me give a urine sample, still all clear. But he said there's definitely some sort of infection down there from looking at it. I've been prescribed 2 weeks of Doxycycline and what I think is an alternative antifungal cream. I can't remember the name but it ends in zole so pretty sure it's antifungal.

He's said for me to try these if no better come back after the 2 weeks or come back sooner if it gets worse. Fingers crossed it clears up.

I'll maintain the good hygiene regime and going to try some salt baths to draw out/ease the infection.

Will keep you posted.

Also been booked in for some bloods but told that's routine...

I hope you can find a solution with the new Doc, if not simply update after your next appointment, or update whatever is happening anyway .....

Will do mate.

its day 3 of the antibiotic now.

So far nothing.... if anything it looks a lot more red, particularly under the foreskin. I'll keep taking them until they run their course. Just praying it resolves.

Hope fully it will cure you update back if it works!

You only got pills or not any cremes? 😃

I have Doxycycline and then Dactarin cream. But honestly its just gotten so much redder over the past few days. Will keep you all posted though.

Day 4 on antibiotics update.

No change whatsoever. Honestly, the thought this is something more sinister just keeps lurking over me.

Depression is at an all time high, I just want the issue resolved now so I can focus on other things but it's driving me crazy.

Day 8.

Doesn't really look any different...

Looking on these forums I recall someone with a similar predicament having found relief using a dermol 500 cream. Once the course is up i shall try this and head back to the drs

I've finished the course of antibiotics.

They don't appear to have made any difference.

Had an appointment with the GP, another new one this time. He examined the area, confirmed he could see what I meant when referring to the 'redness'.

He's given me some Canesten HC (so steorid/antifungal combo). I am to try this for a maximum of two weeks, if no joy it's back to the GP and then I believe a urology referral.

Hi Josh.

i'm going to the dermatologist on Friday and hopefully i hear something i have no idea whats causing it i tried everything i could and see no improvement it might be time to go for a biopsy...

i will update you after friday 😃

Wishing you all the best mate. Fingers crossed you find a solution. Keep us posted what the dermo says and yeah if no joy definitely ask for a biopsy for piece of mind.

Hey mate,

what did the dermo say? im still suffering