Red Mark on Shaft of Penis

[Concerend566]

Last night I noticed a red mark on the shaft of my penis and have become worried that it could be something serious.  I have been in a monagomous relationship for almost two years and haven't had unprotected sex with anyone else in over two years.  I've never had this mark before.  It looks like a mark a curling iron would leave or a small burn mark of some sort.  It's about 3/4 of a inch wide and 1/4 inch up and down

The mark isn't raised and doesn't seem to have any puss.  There aren't clusters of them either.  It doesn't itch and isn't sore at all.  Is it  possible that this could be HSV?  I have a high sex drive, masturbate/have sex 2-5 times a day.  Could it just be irritation from the sexual activity?

Thanks for your help.

[Concerend566]

I didn't sound like HSV to me, but I'm hav.  Is it possible to have an outbreak years after exposure(as far as I know I haven't been exposed)?  It's been a week and the mark is still there, but it's not tender and hasn't opened up at all, it's just there.  Does that sound at all like HSV to you?  It's still a flat red burn like looking mark on my foreskin.  Again, I've never seen anything like this on my genitals before.

Do you think it could be balanitis?  I don't have insurance, do free clinics usually look at this type of thing.

Thanks for your help.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
The symptoms that you are having are not suggestive of herpes. Most people have no or only minimal signs or symptoms from HSV-1 or HSV-2 infection. When signs occur, they appear as one or more blisters on or around the genitals. The blisters turn into tender ulcers thatbreak open and persist for a few weeks. Another outbreak can appear weeks or months after the first, but it almost always is less severe and shorter than the first outbreak.
Hope it helps. Take care and regards.

[Concerend566]

Thanks for your help.  My biggest fear was that it could be herpes, but after looking into it, it seems unlikely that I have it.  I know that it's difficult to diagnose my situation, but do ou think that herpes is most likely not the cause of this mark.  I'm uncircumcised by the way.  It sounds like it could be balanitis.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Without examination, confirmation of a diagnosis is tough but this swelling can be due to friction rub or chaffing. Chaffing is a continuous rubbing of the skin that causes redness or soreness.

Chafing occurs when the skin becomes irritated by the friction caused by rubbing – either against other skin or against a foreign material. 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. Also wear cotton undergarments. Application of mild corticosteroid cream and oral antiinflammatories like ibuprofen/acetaminophen are also helpful. If the symptoms are severe then it will be best to consult a dermatologist.
I hope it helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing or if you have any additional doubts. Kind regards.