Endless Itchy, Red Skin on penis head

Hello,

my issue with my Penis has been going on for 1 year now. It has disrupted my relationship and caused alot of emotional stress in my life due to the lack of sexual activity. I'm 29, non-smoker, social drinker and I've been with the same person for about 2 years now. In general, we both have clean sexual histories. My gf has HPV but she has been taking care of it.

Over 1 exact year, I've seen many Doctors and Nurses, 3 Dermatologists and 2 Urologists. I seem to be in an endless cycle of having red, tender inflamed skin on the penis head that turns into hard, scaly dry patches, it itches intensely, then washes off, then reoccurs again. This cycle lasts about 3-4 weeks. Masturbation, even if done very lightly and with lubrication, triggers this cycle for sure. But I've gone about a month without any Masturbation or sex and this issue still seems to reoccur.

Over the year I've written a 4 page diary of my issue, but to make it short, the Doctors believe that this is Eczema. One doctor said it was Psoriasis with Fungus. A Urologist said it was nothing... I've tried virtually everything that I could use on this area including OTC drugs for eczema / psoriasis (like Psoriasin, Jock-Itch) Protopic, Desonide, Lyderm, Hydrocortisone cream, Cipro, Lamisil, I also had stints with Vasiline, Cetaphil, Emu Oil, Canesten and including "Doing Nothing" .. I've basically run out of ideas and hope is fading fast.

Some days are better than others. I can't really run, as some days the skin is very sensitive when brushed against clothing. I've also lived in a very dry apartment for the good part of the year but has since moved and for the past 3 months things haven't really changed, so I don't think it was an allergic reaction or the environment I was in that caused this.

I know there is alot of information to digest here, but I am truly desperate for help. Anything, or any ideas would be very appreciated. If there is anyone out there that had the slightest bit of success with this issue or anything similar, please point me in the right direction.

Thank you.

(I've included some recent pictures for an idea)

[jagesh50]

Best to get a biopsy.However, psoriasis do not itch as much as an eczema,and fungus ought to have been settled with therapy.If you are using a condom, latex induced dermatitis will be considered too.

[paulie53190]

hey im sorry to hear about your issue. but my 4yr old son has a similiar issue except his isn't on the head its on the pubic area. i brought him the the dr and he said it was eczema and prescribed him a steroid cream called triamcinolone acetonide 1% twice a day for 7-10 days its only day 2 and its already practically gone. another cream that we used before we went to the dr was aquaphor ointment which you can get over the counter. that also worked very well and it cleared up within a day or two with that. his dr said that he'd always have eczema it just wont be noticeably at times. hope this helps you!
Good luck.

[bookster48509]

pretty unlikely possibility -- but (whether or not you've been tested since the available tests aren't very reliable) it could be a very atypical herpes presentation

i'd consider, if you don't want to see a doctor, taking (otc amino acid supplement) l-lysine 1 gram, twice a day
or (if you want to see a doctor about this)
valtrex and see if it reduces the intensity/frequency of this problem

[shell_shocked]

Thank you guys for all your recommendations! Next Monday, I'm going to see a new Dermatologist, hopefully this one will bring some new hope and not just dismiss this as (You have eczema, no cure. Control it, bye.) I will print out this forum with all your responses and highlight the medications and ideas you've all recommended.

Bookster48509, I had a slew of blood tests back in February, It didn't say if I got tested specifically for Herpes or not. I know a couple of venereal diseases were on there as well as other things. My gf (2 years) doesn't have any time of Herpes symptoms, is it possible that I could have something like this and her body is immune and symptomless to it?

[docsgram]

My daughter has had eczema all her life.  When a patch appears (and they are anywhere on her body)  she puts pure lavender oil on it.  it stops the itch and is gone within hours.   A lady told us about his when she was about 8 years-old and it's the ONLY thing that has ever worked for her.  The lavender oil numbs it and treats it.  You don't have to try it because it sounds crazy, but it has worked for her for 20 years.  

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
I cannot confirm anything without examination but it sounds like nummular dermatitis/discoid eczema.It does not look like psoriasis.I would suggest a biopsy of the skin to confirm the diagnosis.

In the meanwhile,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 rash 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 eczema 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).

Eczema can be exacerbated by dryness of the skin. 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 or in case you have any additional doubts.Kind regards.

[shell_shocked]

Thank you all again for such great advice!

kindd, I really appreciate your care and thoughts about this, you have no idea. Is there a way I could get in touch with you, I'd like to send you my entire history. Maybe more pictures to get a more clearer idea.

The Dermatologist I'm seeing next Monday, I will make sure he gets a skin biopsy. I have one week of agony to go through before then. In the meantime I'm hesitant to try anything as I have the feeling I could make the condition much worse. I'm under the impression that the Penis Skin is different from any other type of skin on your body? Is calamine lotion safe to use there? I can't seem to find any OTC products that are specifically meant to heal penis skin?

Docsgram, thanks for the insights, I'll pick up some "pure lavender oil" and bring it with me to my Derm appointment. I'll see what he says before I try it out.

In the mean-time.. I'm sitting here with a bottle of calamine lotion debating, Do I start using it on my area?

[shell_shocked]

UPDATE:

OK so I'm back from my Dermatologist appointment. His office was well decorated with various degrees and plaques. He seemed extremely knowledgeable and like all these specialists, didn't want to hear anything and went straight to the point. He examined my genital area, then examined inside my mouth twice, reviewed my 1 year history. After various questions he said, "You have Lichen Planus" wrote it down, circled it and looked at me. He prescribed Emo Cort 2.5% topical cream applied for as long as I need it. He is familiar with my issue and said he seen it many times. Some cases have last up to 2 years. He also said he doesn't know how this comes along but does eventually go away.

Next question: Has anyone been diagnosed with Lichen Planus? On the genital area? Any success with any specific treatments?

Any more help or insights would be really appreciated.

thank you.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Lichen planus is a chronic mucocutaneous disease that affects the skin and the oral mucosa, and presents itself in the form of papules, lesions or rashes. Medicines used to treat lichen planus include oral and topical steroids,oral retinoids,immunosuppressant medications,hydroxychloroquine,tacrolimus,dapsone and aloe vera.Severe cases may need phototherapy.

The prescription that your dermatologist has given is a steroid prescription and it should help you.However if the symptoms persist then pls discuss the rest of treatment option with him.

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

[halsaflieni]

Hi Shell_Shocked,
I wonder how you're doing now as this is nearly three years later.

I seem to have a combination of yours and other guys' conditions including that the rash concentrates itseslf to one side of the glans (glands), with the urethra opening marking the dividing line. This is not consistent though, as under the rim of the other side of the glans (glands), and down the inside of my foreskin there is another hot spot. Also as like others here, after sex or masturbation the skin itself becomes raised and surrounds the urethra opening in an irritated swollenness. As well, at these times it seems to be irritated inside the urethra and sometimes urination is painful-I have the sensation of a small obstruction within the urethra. Strange too that the urination flow gets messed up and goes off to the side as when trying to urinate through an erection but my penis is not erect. It's possible that when the irritation is present, the urethra is becoming pinched by the swollenness. The feeling of the irritation I would describe as burning, stinging itching.
My story is that in Decemeber 2010 I took Arthrotec (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory) for tennis elbow. I began to get hives within the first 8 hours of taking it. Long story short it has been dominating my life ever since, making me allergic to 70 per-cent of the food I used to eat, as well as to Ibuprophen and ASA. I eventually came to the conclusion that it was Candida and went on that diet and eventually took a naturopathic cleanse which made the hives ten times worse. I kept it  up a month and a half but discontinued it on advice of the  manufacturer as they said that I may be reacting to a component of the cleanse itself.
About 2 months ago I noticed my penis flaring up. I have always had a light case of excema on my nose and had been able to keep it down with tea tree oil  I would say that the irritation on my penis seems most like excema including intense burning if I dare to peel a little flake off. Tried very diluted tea tree oil on my penis but it didn't work. Also I have had athlete's foot and jock itch on and off all my adult life-those would go away temporarily with med creams.
I have tried cortisone, clotrimazol and several others on this new penile condition to no effect. Polysporin and natural aloe both help to lessen the sensation, but they don't make the problem go away.

Prednisone will suppress everything and I went on it for a month -I had jock itch at the time which disappeared like magic along with my hives, excema and every other little thing. Unfortunately the downside of that stuff is way too risky-therefore not a solution.

Also my overall skin condition continues up and down and the strangest part  is that without anything showing on my skin it will feel burned and stinging -this is aggravated by cold and also by the weight of clothes. It's a nightmare.

Have been on a regimen of supplements which are good for general health but they've had no effect on my genital situation. Next step is traditional Chinese medicine-hoping for a positive result.

Any change for you shell-shocked? any advice from anyone?
Thanks

[shell_shocked]

Hi there,

I'm not sure we have the same issue? Maybe something similar..?
From all the doctors and specialists I saw three years ago.. I'm 90% it was Genital Eczema. To this day I still get random patches on my back and legs when it gets dry or cold.. or if I'm super stressed, but controlled with OTC cream like Eucerin.

As for my genital area, towards the end of 2010 it seemed to have subsided on its own. 2011 was a great year.. NO symptoms what-so-ever.. and going into 2012, things have been just fine.

I guess the main question you're all wondering is WHAT IS THE CURE? Sadly, I couldn't pin-point one particular thing.. but Exercise, exercise, exercise! And TRY to be positive.. Seems like when I gave up hope on medication and just started living my life, It went away. I'm not going to lie to you, I feel like as mysterious as it came on, it may come back? Who knows..

Looking back three years ago, I was so frustrated by this illness, I felt helpless and depressed.. Today my GF (now my Wife) is expecting our first born son in 5 weeks..

As a male, its VERY tough to have to deal with this but don't let this control your life!

Good luck All!