penile scars

[roge661]

I had a a breakout of HSV-1 ( not HSV-2) on the shaft of my penis that left the skin noticeably discolored. It has been almost 6 months and the normal pigmentation has come back. Whan I tan, that area will not tan as well. Will the skin ever heal? Why is penile skin so much different than other skin?


This discussion is related to Penile scar?.

[stupidhypochondriac]

I have read many individuals complaining of scarring, and many physicians offering re-assurance, but of all these threads, some dating back four years, there are no assertions of complete recovery. I recently had two small sebaceous cysts on the shaft of my penis. I decided to attack one and leave the other alone. The one I left alone is long gone, the one I attacked is now a small round, half-centimeter-diameter scar the likes of which described here and elsewhere. I'm really upset that physicians' formal final word is simply: do not mess with anything: it will scar, and it will never go away. Such words would have spared me from the situation I now find myself in.

My questions: would use of nail file or the like re-agitate the process of foliation and speed recovery? Would anyone recommend a calculated re-injury of the location to create a scar that less-resembles an STI? -that is the bottom line concern after all- And, how long have documented recoveries taken? (one real example would be fine; please explain if recovery was COMPLETE or not)

[Dr Santos]

HI,

The skin in this area is thinner than other parts of the skin. It has plenty of blood vessels and nerve endings. Another factor is that it can be an effect of certain topical medications. The skin will heal in its own time. This will depend on a lot of factors such as the severity of the breakout or if medications were used. If it persists, have this evaluated further for proper management.

Take care and keep us posted.