Reversal of Corticosteroid Damage?

[jimmy199]

For about a year, on and off, I was prescribed various anti-fungal and hydro-cortisone ointment and creams by my doctor, and later my dermatologist to deal with itching on my scrotum and at the base of my penis shaft (where it meets the scrotum). No treatments seemed to help, so I eventually gave up on all prescription, about a year later and hoped the issue would resolve itself. It has now been a year since I gave up on doctors, and nearly two years since my problem began (august of 2009), and I find that my scrotal skin is hypersensitive. Just wearing pants causes me to experience itching and soreness. I don't know if its normal because i can't really remember how the skin used to look, but there is a "shinyness" about the skin, particularly where the penis hangs over the scrotum. In addition, the fordyce spots in this area are extra pronounced. I did a bit of my own internet research, having given up on my doc, and came across some unsettling information about steroid induced skin atrophy. I am in a panic that the cortisone treatments have permanently damaged my skin. Is this likely? I notice no striae, which i've read indicate atrophy, but the skin does seem to have lost some of its colour, and is, as i mentioned before, "shinyer"than before. Is soreness and itching a symptom of atrophy? Will the atrophy be resolved over time on its own? (I am only 20 yrs old.) In my panic I have searched the web for methods of reversing atrophy, and have come across a great deal of information about a product called "Tretinoin," which apparently helps to reverse skin atrophy. Is it advisable to use this or something similar on an area so sensitive as the scrotum? Obviously I will return to my dermatologist in person to ask, but I was hoping to get some insight from you. This condition is severely depressing as it is always on my mind.  

[Gimsiez]

Any updates?? I got mine originally from tea tree oil but then steroids

[flutivatehell]

I´m still thinking about trying protopic. I have tried so many creams and I have read a lot about this cream. The itch and burn is suppose to worsen first few days and then the cream will start working? I read some hate it others say it works wonder? Don´t know...

[flutivatehell]

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15214906

[flutivatehell]

I`m on tetralysal antibitoics since 3 weeks cause i got a major acne cyst in my face. But I swear this medication has done something with the pain and itch on my ****. The skin is as thin as before and I know I never will get my thick skin back but this medicatinon is abviously making the inflammation down there subside too! I guess this pain relief is only temporary cause I have to go off the meds sooner or later. Just had to tell you guys. I see no other correlation between this. The pain has subsided 50 percent. I guess it´s just temporary though. But I felt I should tell you.

[TheMostBestest]

Try Lowe Dose Naltrexone or Gabapentin. It may be nerve damage, you may have a neuropathic condition.

I have the same problem. I'm trying LDN now.

[flutivatehell]

no it´s atrophy from the steroid skin. The skin is not as thick as before and the healed scars (stretchmarks) become itchy and red and the skin burns.

[flutivatehell]

i just wish there were something for the  pain...i don´t care that my **** looks damaged I just wanna be able to have an erection and mastrubate without pain...and be able to sleep on my stomach and put my jeans on without always preparing mentally for the pain.

[sapvar]

I feel for you dude.  So is the pain caused by inflammation due to the skin being so thin and susceptible?  An anti-inflammatory diet may help, plus natural anti-inflammatory supplements like longvida curcumin (turmeric).   Here's a link to some more stuff:
http://blog.radiantlifecatalog.com/bid/55677/NSTEAD-of-NSAID-10-Inflammation-Fighting-Supplements

Sorry if this isn't helpful.  Just figured it's worth a shot

[Splodge13]

Obviously you people recovered or you'd still be on here asking questions.

[flutivatehell]

still here and still in pain 6 years since the atrophy happened. You guys who developed atrophy but don´t have a problem with the pain from it why do you care? The pain is the only reason i´m depressed and suicidal. The only thing that has ever helped me is numbing creams. But these creams last a couple of minutes and the wear off. So sick of the itch and pain and the psycologial aspect before putting on my jeans and knowing it´s gonna hurt..or lying on my stomach in bed and so on...this is in my head all the time. I so wanna kill that doctor...been dreaming about it..so what is left for me to try

protopic , can it be helpful for the pain?

silikongel ( since the atrophy created lots of scars that healed and become striae, stretchmarks silikon is suppose to help with the itch as it lays like a thin film on top

dermaroller, maybe a 0,5 can be used and let the skin reheal and become thicker?

tretinoin for thickening the skin?

surgery and skin graft?

suicide?

[Splodge13]

Why do people never tell us if they recovered or what happened next . Please guys.  Let us know if you got better.  Etc.