Purple area/rash on penis

68 years old caucasian male. Married 30 years no sex or sexual activity outside of marriage. 30 days ago developed a rash in the folds of my penis (reddish). Also purplish area on glans (glands) penis. Urologist prescribed Mycolog II Cream. Told me to use it three times daily. It has helped but he also refferred me to a dermatologist who I will see in about 14 days. But the purple-red area on the glans (glands) penis has not gone away. I wash my penis in the shower nightly and apply more cream. Any ideas and should I stop using the cream 3 days or so BEFORE seeing the dermatogist? Area was painful about 2 weeks ago (sensitive) but that has gone away; again only concern I have is the purplish-red (not really a rash) discolorated skin area???

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Most likely the rash is really gone, but the discoloration lingers on.  This is often the case after a rash in a thin-skinned area.  My advice is to stop all active treatment until you see the dermatologist, and just use an unmedicated moisture lotion.  When the you see skin doctor, he or she can advise you about what you need to do, if anything, other than to let the purple color take care of itself.

best.

Dr. Rockoff