Penis skin breaks

Periodically I have breaks(not sores) to occur in the foreskin of my penis. It hurts when I pull the skin back over the head of the penis. What are these breaks in the skin. They come and go. Also the head of the penis will be red or have a rash. The breaks are about 1/4 inch long and along the front.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

The skin changes you describe are those of irritation.  I advise lubrication (vaseline, Aquaphor), not pulling the foreskin back too often or too vigorously, and the occasional use of over-the-counter 1% hydrocortisone to get rid of redness or irritation as needed.  If these don't work, you should see a doctor about it.

Best.

Dr. Rockoff

[BMT85]

Around two years ago, I noticed a thin red line on my penis, it starts at the bottom of my penis and runs up to the head of my penis, I thought it would go away, but it hasent, is this some kind of skin irration or something? or is it an STD?