Balanitis or Herpes

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Five months ago I was masturbating daily, sometimes vigourously, with a Neutrogena body moisturizer. I would also use my saliva. I hadn't had a sexual partner in over two years. After 2-3 weeks I began to develop small red spots on the shaft of my penis and areas of redness. I continued to masturbate for another week until there there was a general rash on both the shaft and head of my penis. Some of the small red spots developed into round, slightly raised, smooth shiny areas, but did not blister. The head of my penis also got a little bumpy. I also had a red, raised spot on my lower abdomen where my penis would lie. Some burning accompanied the rash. In addition, I had tingling in my feet, with slight pain shooting down the back of my legs. I also had a numb pain in my lower abdomen. I also had swelling of the tubes behind my right testicle.

I stopped masturbating and visited the doctor. She looked at the red shiny areas and indicated that it wasn't herpes. She took a swab. The test came back negative. I intermitently applied an antifungal cream - tinactin-, or antibiotic ointment for a couple of weeks. I also took Valtrex for a couple of weeks in case I had given myself herpes. I get coldsores three-four times a year.

I refrained from masturbating regularly, and the rash on the shaft of my penis went away. The rash on the head of my penis subsided, but did not go away compelte. The head of my penis also had small red spots, like blood blisters and was generally bumpy to an extent I had never noticed before.

I had my physical two months later and the doctor discovered I had a slightly swollen prostate. I also had a case of jock itch. Because I was travelling for four weeks, I wasn't able to treat either properly until three weeks ago.

After recently beginning sexual relations with a girlfriend, I have had a couple of very brief fungal infections in the groin area - two months ago before I travelled and four weeks ago upon my return. Nizoral was perscribed at a sexual health clinic. This got rid of the fungas in the groin area. But the jock itch persists.  The doctor there indicated that I had balanitis. I was again tested for hpv and hsv. The skin culture came back negative.

I have cut back on the masturbaring considerably. My girlfriend and I only have protected sex once a week. The redness and rash return to the shaft and head of my penis after masturbating or intercourse. The head also gets bumpier.

I am currently taking an antibiotic - Doxycycline - twice a day to address the swollen prostate (I have been taking this for several days. I am still applying the Nizoral to my scrotum and penis. My scrotum is red and scaly. The shaft and head of my penis get a little scaly as well. I am also taking salt baths once or twice a day to get rid of the fungal infection. I keep my groin very clean and dry.

So, do I just have balanitis or did herpes cause the balanitis?
If only balanitis, how long can it persit?

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Balanitis.  It can persist for quite a while, because the skin of the penis is sensitive.  I would avoid steroids and just use moisturizers, as well of course as avoiding excessive masturbation or the use of saliva.  There is nothing in your history to suggest herpes, so there is no need for you to go on considering it.  You can't give yourself herpes from mouth to groin.  If that were possible, everyone with a cold sore would be covered with herpes just from taking a shower, wouldn't they?

Take care.

Dr. Rockoff