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Bumps on penis
by mi9, Aug 27, 2008 08:46PM
I have seen four doctors in the last four weeks and no one can say for sure what I have.
Exactly 29 days ago a rash and swelling appeared on my penis. It was red and painful and measured approx. 1 inch by 1.5 inches (while semi-erect) on my foreskin. The swelling was quite noticeable and the left side of my penis took on the angle of a banana (no pun intended). Initial thought was that this was friction burn caused by masturbation; when this has happened in the past this is where it`s appeared. I also thought it a bit of a coincidence that only 2 weeks prior I had purchased a masturbation toy so I thought it was possibly an allergic reaction except that it should have come on sooner.
In any event, I had unprotected sex with my partner of 5 years that night not thinking anything of it. It was at this point that I noticed the pain and also that when my skin was pulled taught there were approx. 10 red areas (not one) with what appeared to be a raised center and small (pinprick) depression. The 10 spots appeared in a bite mark formation and approximately 2 days later the pinprick depression appeared to have a white head but this didn`t last the night.
I visited the first of four doctors 4 days later, he indicated in his report he thought it was herpes (but not classical herpes) and that there were vesicular lesions. He prescribed a week of Valtrex (2 50mg pills 3 times daily). The pain had disappeared by the time I took the first pill and in my opinion Valtrex did absolutely nothing. I was tested for syphilis, gonorrhea and swabbed for herpes; all negative. In the swab test the doctor drew blood so I would presume if it was the herpes virus there should have been enough virus present for an accurate culture test but what do I know.
By my second visit to the doctor on day 11 (a different doctor and presumably a resident given her age and that this was a training hospital) the redness was almost but not quite gone. Unfortunately, I had very small red bumps on my entire penis during my visit with this doctor. She had no idea what these bumps were (later diagnosed as a yeast infection) and she indicated in her medical report that she disagreed on the herpes diagnosis with the first doctor saying that there was no evidence of vesicular lesions. She was nice but not very helpful. She prescribed more Valtrex anyway but I never took it.
Third doctor was on day 17 (my family doctor) and he agreed that in most cases my symptoms would be indicative of herpes but since I had no other symptoms (swollen lymph glands, blisters, penis discharge, fever, and so on) I should go for a type specific antibody test for herpes, however, he wanted to see my patient records from the clinic where I saw the first two doctors and he is now on vacation for another couple of weeks. He told me to pickup some Canestin to treat the yeast infection (concerned the initital infection was bacterial I used polysporin and anti-bacterial soap which is probably why I developed a yeast infection). Unfortunately I still have one slightly raised red bump on the head of my penis (different location from the suspected herpes infection) so I`m not sure what it is. I would guess if it was fungal the Canestin should have killed it. It`s not painful or anything.
By my fourth visit to the doctor on day 26 (again a different doctor) the initial red bumps are now small whitish bumps slightly raised above the surface. They aren`t painful and they don`t itch but they`re still concerning. The 4th doctor read through the medical reports of the first two and as far as he is concerned I have nothing to worry about, in his words it is a normal skin disorder (which is a bit of an oxymoron) and he refused to let me do the type specific antibody test. He suspects they are swollen glands and compared them to the little bumps I have on my testicles which Ì`ve had my entire life (presumably other males as well) and which I never thought twice about.
At this point I just want to know what I have. My partner is obviously concerned but was content with the swollen gland argument. It`s worthwile to note that if this was infectious she would probably have it since we had unprotected intercourse on day 1 while the infection was at its worst. I`ve haven`t let this bother me too much, unfortunately I`m feeling worse with each day that goes by, I`m extremely tired, my body is increasingly sore and my head and especially my eyes hurt. I can`t be certain that this is related to the infection on my penis though since I`ve been on Champix to help quit smoking for the last 17 days.
To sum it up, I still have small slightly raised whitish bumps in a bite mark pattern on my penis (foreskin primarly) and one larger (only marginally) raised red bump on the head of my penis. Can anyone shed anymore light on this than the four doctors I`ve already seen.
Exactly 29 days ago a rash and swelling appeared on my penis. It was red and painful and measured approx. 1 inch by 1.5 inches (while semi-erect) on my foreskin. The swelling was quite noticeable and the left side of my penis took on the angle of a banana (no pun intended). Initial thought was that this was friction burn caused by masturbation; when this has happened in the past this is where it`s appeared. I also thought it a bit of a coincidence that only 2 weeks prior I had purchased a masturbation toy so I thought it was possibly an allergic reaction except that it should have come on sooner.
In any event, I had unprotected sex with my partner of 5 years that night not thinking anything of it. It was at this point that I noticed the pain and also that when my skin was pulled taught there were approx. 10 red areas (not one) with what appeared to be a raised center and small (pinprick) depression. The 10 spots appeared in a bite mark formation and approximately 2 days later the pinprick depression appeared to have a white head but this didn`t last the night.
I visited the first of four doctors 4 days later, he indicated in his report he thought it was herpes (but not classical herpes) and that there were vesicular lesions. He prescribed a week of Valtrex (2 50mg pills 3 times daily). The pain had disappeared by the time I took the first pill and in my opinion Valtrex did absolutely nothing. I was tested for syphilis, gonorrhea and swabbed for herpes; all negative. In the swab test the doctor drew blood so I would presume if it was the herpes virus there should have been enough virus present for an accurate culture test but what do I know.
By my second visit to the doctor on day 11 (a different doctor and presumably a resident given her age and that this was a training hospital) the redness was almost but not quite gone. Unfortunately, I had very small red bumps on my entire penis during my visit with this doctor. She had no idea what these bumps were (later diagnosed as a yeast infection) and she indicated in her medical report that she disagreed on the herpes diagnosis with the first doctor saying that there was no evidence of vesicular lesions. She was nice but not very helpful. She prescribed more Valtrex anyway but I never took it.
Third doctor was on day 17 (my family doctor) and he agreed that in most cases my symptoms would be indicative of herpes but since I had no other symptoms (swollen lymph glands, blisters, penis discharge, fever, and so on) I should go for a type specific antibody test for herpes, however, he wanted to see my patient records from the clinic where I saw the first two doctors and he is now on vacation for another couple of weeks. He told me to pickup some Canestin to treat the yeast infection (concerned the initital infection was bacterial I used polysporin and anti-bacterial soap which is probably why I developed a yeast infection). Unfortunately I still have one slightly raised red bump on the head of my penis (different location from the suspected herpes infection) so I`m not sure what it is. I would guess if it was fungal the Canestin should have killed it. It`s not painful or anything.
By my fourth visit to the doctor on day 26 (again a different doctor) the initial red bumps are now small whitish bumps slightly raised above the surface. They aren`t painful and they don`t itch but they`re still concerning. The 4th doctor read through the medical reports of the first two and as far as he is concerned I have nothing to worry about, in his words it is a normal skin disorder (which is a bit of an oxymoron) and he refused to let me do the type specific antibody test. He suspects they are swollen glands and compared them to the little bumps I have on my testicles which Ì`ve had my entire life (presumably other males as well) and which I never thought twice about.
At this point I just want to know what I have. My partner is obviously concerned but was content with the swollen gland argument. It`s worthwile to note that if this was infectious she would probably have it since we had unprotected intercourse on day 1 while the infection was at its worst. I`ve haven`t let this bother me too much, unfortunately I`m feeling worse with each day that goes by, I`m extremely tired, my body is increasingly sore and my head and especially my eyes hurt. I can`t be certain that this is related to the infection on my penis though since I`ve been on Champix to help quit smoking for the last 17 days.
To sum it up, I still have small slightly raised whitish bumps in a bite mark pattern on my penis (foreskin primarly) and one larger (only marginally) raised red bump on the head of my penis. Can anyone shed anymore light on this than the four doctors I`ve already seen.
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Nothing can be said with surety without having a look at the lesions and a clinical examination.
This could be folliculitis, acne, pimples, fordyce spots or genital warts.
It would be ebst to consult a skin specialist for your symptoms to rule out the above and find out the exact cause.
Till then you could take some oral antihistamine medications and apply calamine lotion at the site. Maintain good personal hygiene and also wear lose comfortable clothes.
Keep us posted and let us know if you need any other information.
Regards.
Genital warts - what I have looks nothing like the pictures I've seen and the location isn't typical of genital warts in men.
Fordyce spots - looks somewhat similiar but the pathology I've presented isn't consistent with this diagnosis. Fordyce spots are idiopathic. I had a clear infection.
folliculitis - no hair coming out of the bumps?
pimples or acne - information online is too vague for me to refute your suggestion with.
One other possible symptom. About two weeks ago I was concerned I transmitted whatever I had down below to my face because the upper half of my lip started burning and was really chapped. It went away after a 3 or 4 days but it's back again.
Anyway thanks for the advice. Will take your advice and try the antihistamine.