Rash, bumps, itching on penis

[downcast]

I have been have had a rash on my penis for about 6 weeks.  It consists of redness and very tiny bumps.  It is mostly between the shaft and the head and the edge around of the head.  I also have a red area on the head just below the urethra that is slightly raised.  I also have two bumps under the skin below the head that are most visible with an erection.  

It gets most irritated after sex and masterbation (masturbation).  I have only been having sex with one person for the last 6 months.  I went to my doctor and they said it is fungus and prescribed Naftin.  After two weeks of no change they prescribed Clotrimazole/Betamethasone Dipropionate twice a day.  This helped a little, also I refrained from sex and masterbation (masturbation).  After 6 days I developed a really bad rash all over the area between the shaft and the head.  It was dark red and painful.  I developed a few new red bumps and one pimple that popped on the edge of the head. I called the doctor and they said to come in.  The doctor did not think I was having a reaction to the lotion since it did not appear until 6 days later. Unfortunatly I am out of town.  They told me to stop using the Lotrisone and use some hydrocortisone 1%.  The bad rash went away in about 4 hours from using the hydrocortisone, but the rash I have had for 6 weeks is about the same but it itches alot.  What should I do while I am out of town other than the hydocortizone and drink my anxiety away?  I am suppose to be playing golf this week, but I am afraid of irritaing it while walking too much.

I am still worried that it might be an STD.  I have had redness and itching pretty much non stop for 6 weeks.  It comes and goes in intentsity.  What about this mysterious redness that came and went.  I had not been doing anything to irritate the skin since I was driving in a car all day.  I read that Lotrisone has a small occurance of side effects like this.  I also read that you should only apply a thin layer.  I think I may have been putting on too much.

My girlfriend has no signs of anything and she just donated eggs and was tested for just about everything.  I have not had any STD test, my doctor did not think it is necessary.

Also, my hotel room has a jacuzzi tub.  It is a good idea to soak in the tub?

Thanks so very much

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

I think you have irritation.  The antifungal cream was neither here nor there, and the Clotrimazole/Betamethasone has an antifungal that is likewise irrelevant and a steroid (Betamethasone) that is too strong for penile skin and can leave it looking red and feeling irritated.  After that, even weak (1%) hydrocortisone can make the redness last.)  On the outside chance that what you have is yeast, I suggest that you try OTC Micatin cream twice a day.  (That's just a precaution--I don't really think you have yeast, but an anti-yeast cream, unlike a steroid, can't set you back even in theory.)  Beyond that, just keep the skin lubricated with vaseline, by all means relax in a hot tub, wear boxer shorts when you golf, and you should be fine.  If the rash persists till you get home, please see a skin doctor.  And drink only in moderation!

Take care.

Dr. Rockoff

[ortiz]

A related discussion, Red Bumps and itching all over body was started.