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Dermatology (Expert Forum)
Strange penis patch of skin
Answered by
Alan Rockoff, MD - dermatology, Child Skin Problems
The Rockoff Dermatology Center
Brookline - MA
This forum is for questions regarding Dermatology issues, such as: skin rashes, acne, birthmarks, skin infections, rosacea, and general skin care.
Strange penis patch of skin
by chris, Nov 08, 2000 12:00AM
I am 19 and uncircumsised.
8 months ago when I was in the bath I noticed a small patch of skin on the head of my penis which was darker in pigment than the rest of the skin. It also had a very thin small slightly raised white line around it, like a border. I thought nothing of it, and as such left it alone. Thinking whatever it was would heal up.
It did not heal up. Instead it has spread slowly over 8 months. The area of dark purple pigmentation is slightly larger and the white line has grown around the area. The area forms a circle at the base of the glans, just before the foreskin. It's not a perfect circle as the border is irregular. It is painless and the skin within the centre of the patch has got some of it's original color back. So it seems to be healing albeit extremely slowly. The white border however is not going at all. At the moment it seems to have stopped spreading, but I think it will probably start up again. The side of the glans which the patch is on is also swollen in size and shape slightly.
I have checked for lumps under the skin and there are none.
The area concerned is quite small but the point is it should not be there. There is no redness to signify any infection but I am just confused to what is happening.
I am worried I have penile cancer or such.
Please help.
8 months ago when I was in the bath I noticed a small patch of skin on the head of my penis which was darker in pigment than the rest of the skin. It also had a very thin small slightly raised white line around it, like a border. I thought nothing of it, and as such left it alone. Thinking whatever it was would heal up.
It did not heal up. Instead it has spread slowly over 8 months. The area of dark purple pigmentation is slightly larger and the white line has grown around the area. The area forms a circle at the base of the glans, just before the foreskin. It's not a perfect circle as the border is irregular. It is painless and the skin within the centre of the patch has got some of it's original color back. So it seems to be healing albeit extremely slowly. The white border however is not going at all. At the moment it seems to have stopped spreading, but I think it will probably start up again. The side of the glans which the patch is on is also swollen in size and shape slightly.
I have checked for lumps under the skin and there are none.
The area concerned is quite small but the point is it should not be there. There is no redness to signify any infection but I am just confused to what is happening.
I am worried I have penile cancer or such.
Please help.
Doctor's Answer
by Alan Rockoff, MD, Nov 08, 2000 12:00AM
, Nov 08, 2000 12:00AM
Chris:
I think you are going to have to see a doctor for definitive diagnosis. However, your description is not that of penile cancer, which in any case is rare, nor does it sound like an STD. Instead, it sounds like a skin condition, perhpas lichen planus. This is not serious, and does respond to cortione creams. If I were you, I would see a dermatologist and find out what it is and how best to treat it.
Best.
Dr. Rockoff
I think you are going to have to see a doctor for definitive diagnosis. However, your description is not that of penile cancer, which in any case is rare, nor does it sound like an STD. Instead, it sounds like a skin condition, perhpas lichen planus. This is not serious, and does respond to cortione creams. If I were you, I would see a dermatologist and find out what it is and how best to treat it.
Best.
Dr. Rockoff
Member Comments (3)
by chris, Nov 08, 2000 12:00AM
Oh and just to add that the patch of skin in question does not itch or feel irritated at all.
by James A., Dec 02, 2000 12:00AM
Hi...I can't seem to post this question anywhere else so here it is for any of you doctors. I am 22 years old and masturbate frequently...recently I noticed some white blotchy areas on the head of my penis...up until this point, i found it was getting a little sore (as in, the skin was getting chaffed and red)...but not so sore as i wouldn't masturbate...anyway, for some reason, the skin on my thighs and arms have always had this tendency to get blotchy when i get cold...and when i warm up, they go away...similarly, this blotchiness on the head of my penis acts the same way...if i'm flaccid, the blotches are noticable...if i'm erect or things are warm thereabouts, you can't see them...i was thinking maybe i did something to prohibit bloodflow to that area (through damaging the skin somehow), but i have no idea...i've also been checking on the internet for what it could possibly be, and have seen a lot of pictures that have got me rather paranoid (but of the pictures, none really seem to match what i've got)...i haven't called a doctor out of embarassment...oh, and i should mention something else...lately the eczema on my hands has been acting up, and of course, those are the same hands i use to masturbate...any correlation? there isn't any noticable discomfort in my genitals, but i think my recent lack of masturbation is beginning to have a psychological effect on me...one last thing...the last time i masturbated a few days ago was my penis felt pretty sore, and the next day i noticed the blotches...ANY FEEDBACK WOULD HELP TREMENDOUSLY!!
