An old problem.

Hi,

I am now 32 years old, my problem started when i was a teenager.
Spots started to appear on the shaft of my penis and on my scrotum and groin area. Then 3/4 got really fairly large marble size. Stupidly tried to pop them, but wouldnt go away. Also got boils etc on my back and arms. Was too scared too see doctor for a long time. I finally did when i was about 22. When i did the doctor thought i had aids and tested for stds which turned out negative, i was given antibiotic wash and some antibiotics which didnt really have any effect.

The problem continued for long time, with various visits to doctors all who werent sure and thought i had an std or one sort or another. I made the problem worse by picking etc, and i now have scars and pock marks. Then 1 day a hair came out of 1 of the spots on my penis, the spot then cleared up, since then i have found out that the spots are probably cysts and that they are infected by, i think, ingrown hairs . Some are pus filled and drain, others are hard and dont. They continue to get better and then worse. Some go and are replaced by others.

I now would like to really get rid of the problem or at least make it better. I would like suggestions on what i could do to make things better eg. antibiotics and creams or lotions. I plan to see a doctor, but would like suggestions on whether to see general practioner or dermatologists etc.

Thankyou

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Please see a dermatologist, but first leave the spots alone so they can heal and the skin doctor can tell what they are.  They sound like cysts.  After all these years, I think you can be confident you won't find out anything bad about them.  If they are cysts, they probably should not be removed, because they don't have to come off, and removing them is not easy.  But the dermatologist can spell all that out after making a diagnosis.

Best.

Dr. Rockoff