Fungal Infection

About 6 weeks ago, my penis itched badly in the night.  In a half-awake stupor, I scratched it vigorously.  When I woke up, there was a patch of red skin about the size of a dime on the under side of my penis on the shaft just below the head in the same spot I scratched in my sleep.  It stopped itching and stung a little only when I touched it.

After a couple of weeks, it did not go away so I got tested for syphilis (blood), gonorrhea (urine), and chlamydia (urine).  The tests were negative.  I also had a complete blood work-up and everything was in range.

Another two weeks went by and it still did not go away.  It did not hurt or itch but could become irritated if rubbed.  Because it did not go away, I went to see a urologist.  He examined me and determined that I had a fungal infection.  He prescribed Clotromazole-betamethasone cream.  I used it for about 10 days.  On the tenth day the entire area I was treating (my penis and the crease where my leg meets my groin) got very irritated, red and raw.  In addition, the original dime-sized irritation did not really improve much.  I called the urologist and he told me that it sounded like I was having an allergic reaction to the Clotromazole-betamethasone cream.  He told me to stop using the cream and wait about a week.  If my irritation did not improve, I would need to see a specialist (dermatologist).

I read the following on this website: "Clotromazole-betamethasone cream is very popular among non-dermatologists. Dermatologists don't use it, because the steroid counteracts the antifungal component, and the steroid itself is too strong to use in the groin. I doubt you had or have a fungus. I suggest using nothing besides a bland moisturizer until you see the dermatologist. You should be fine."

I told my urologist about this quote from a dermatologist and all he said was if this cream did not take care of my problem then it might not be a fungal infection.  He also advised that I use some vitamin E oil to ease the irritation from the allergic reaction.

If this doesn't improve within a week, I will make an appointment with a dermatologist.  In the meantime, any thoughts on what this might be?  I'm married now and use condoms.  I have not had unprotected sex since before I got married over seven years ago.  Thanks for any thoughts.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

I think it's irritation, not fungus, and I stand by my comments on the steroid-antifungal combination.

I advise you not to worry, to apply no active medication, only moisturizer, and to leave the area alone until you see the dermatologist.  You should be fine.

Take care.

Dr. Rockoff

[PainfulLump]

Here in the past 4 days, i noticed a extremely painful lump in the fold between my groin and my right leg, it is about the side of a quarter, and is, as of yesterday, causing my leg to swell up around the quarter-sized lump, the entire area is heavily irritated considering i have to work and do a lot of walking which makes it VERY uncomfortable, the first thing that came to mind was it could have been a STD, but after thinking about it.. I haven't had unprotected sex, well, if this is anything that relates to your problem, please let me know.