1mm red skin on penis

[28M]

about 2 or 3 weeks ago I notice a dry spot of skin on the shaft of my penis about 1 inch below the head.  I kind of scratched at it lightly and the are is noticably red compared the the other areas.  It does not seem to be raised or painful.  If I stretch the skin the there is no core.  I also have a very very small bump on the underneath side where the head skin stretches at a point to the head.  This spot has been there since I can remember and never thought anything of it.  Is there anything that you think this could be.  Every photo I see of genital warts looks nothing like what I have.  Just curious

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
I cannot confirm anything without examination,but it can be due to contact dermatitis,sweat dermatitis,friction rub with clothes or eczema.

Wash the areas several times with fresh water. Do not use any cosmetic products at the sites. You can apply some calamine lotion at the area as it will help in soothing the skin. You can take some OTC oral antihistamine medications like Benadryl or Claritin and see if it helps.

For mild-moderate symptoms a weak steroid may be used (e.g. hydrocortisone as dermacort), whilst more severe cases require a higher-potency steroid (e.g. clobetasol propionate, fluocinonide).Also use good quality moisturizers to prevent moisture loss from the skin.

If still the symptoms do not improve then pls get a clinical examination done by a dermatologist.

Hope it helps.Take care and pls do keep me posted on how you are doing and if you have any additional queries.