Permanent discoloration of head of penis?

O.k. so summer of 2010, I was working out in the oil fields in Alaska.  That summer we had really hot days, and at times I would experience Heat rashes or "jock itch".  One day I went to take a leak and saw that the head of my penis was different.  the tip was red or actually a dark pink ( which was normal), then a wide ring around the head was like a pale white, then the bottom of the head was a thinner ring of pink.  I thought either it was a "chemical burn", from getting stuff on my hands and then taking a leak w/o washing first or maybe it was from a heat rash from the circumcised skin laying over most of the head and with it being real hot, plus the heat rashes, I thought this is what it could be.  The problem is it's now 2012 and it's exactly the same, it never went a way.  Back when I noticed it, I made sure I spent time really washing with warm water and body soap.  Does anyone have any clue as to what this could be?  All I've read about jock itch is that it's rare for it to affect the head, and it's especially rare for the discoloration to become permanent.  I don't want to ask a doctor about it, I'm pretty embarrassed about it, and my wife asks me often why hasn't that color gone away yet and she doesn't like giving oral now because she doesn't like the look of it.  There aren't any bumps or flakiness, the texture and feel of it is normal, it's just like a two toned head, pink, white and pink..I don't know but it's worried me ever since and since my wife is "grossed out" by it, it's hurt our sex life.  Any suggestions?

[S. Kaul, MD]

Hi there!

Well, without a physical examination and probably a few tests it would be difficult to determine the cause of the lesion. With the description I’m not really sure what this could be. Possibilities of infections, inflammations etc may need to be considered. I would suggest getting this examined by a dermatologist for an evaluation and appropriate management.

Take care!