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Dermatology (Expert Forum)
Small Irritation on under side of penis for about 2 months.
Answered by
Alan Rockoff, MD - dermatology, Child Skin Problems
The Rockoff Dermatology Center
Brookline - MA
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Small Irritation on under side of penis for about 2 months.
by Alchemist42, Aug 15, 2005 12:00AM
A bit about me.
Male, 40, generally healthy, this year is my first time at the doctor in about 10 years.
Ive had an ongoing problem for a couple months now, so ill start with a brief summary of how I got where I am now.
Just as an FYI, I had hernia surgery in April, and was pretty much recovered from that by June when my new problems started.
In early june a couple days after receiving unprotected oral sex from a woman I started having mild buring during urination. A few days later after a swimming workout I noticed a dime sized red irritated spot on the under side of my penis.
I thought nothing about it at the time, but my swim trunks had been in my gym bag since before my surgery, so are another likely source of where I got this.
Fearing the worst (even though the woman in question had been tested for stds recently and came back clean) I got checked out for STDS, and came back positive for gonnahrea, and was treated. The doctor said the spot was nothing to worry about and ignored it.
I read online about herpes and pushed to get tested about 5 weeks into this. Tested positive for previous exposure to HSV1 and negative for HSV2 so im like the majority of the population, probably not herpes.
I got referred to a urologist and am being treated with doxycycline for urethritis, and he thought the irritated spot might be fungal and prescribed an antifungal cream (2% ketoconazole) twice a day.
That brings me up to today... Ive been using the antifungal creme for about 3 weeks. The irritated area is located on the under side of my penis along my circumcision scar. Its rarely red anymore, but still feels irritated and burns a little at times.
The general consensus from the docs is that the spot is unrelated to the gonnahrea and the lingering urethritis. The antifungal medication has helped, but not sure if its the medicine or just the fact its a soothing creme. It does sting a bit when first applied but that goes away quickly.
Ive also been soaking daily in a bath with epsom salts which helped take the sting out of it.
So, my questions... what does this sound like?
Is it Fungal?
Could it be Yeast? Thinkin here that all the antibiotics im taking could be helping it keep going.
Could it be some kind of contact dermatitis?
What is it?
Ive tried antibiotic ointment, antifungal creme, and lysine creme so far... the antifungal seemed to help a little more than the others.
Ive thought about trying some anti-yeast thing like monostat, and ive also thought about trying some cortizone creme I have... but scared it might make it worse.
I havent seen a doc in a month, my urologist keeps telling me to keep using the creme, and keep taking antibiotics.
The irritated area has been pretty constant, it hasnt ever went away, overall id say the last 2 weeks its been less of an issue than the first 2 weeks... but its never really been gone.
Help. Please enlighten me.
Male, 40, generally healthy, this year is my first time at the doctor in about 10 years.
Ive had an ongoing problem for a couple months now, so ill start with a brief summary of how I got where I am now.
Just as an FYI, I had hernia surgery in April, and was pretty much recovered from that by June when my new problems started.
In early june a couple days after receiving unprotected oral sex from a woman I started having mild buring during urination. A few days later after a swimming workout I noticed a dime sized red irritated spot on the under side of my penis.
I thought nothing about it at the time, but my swim trunks had been in my gym bag since before my surgery, so are another likely source of where I got this.
Fearing the worst (even though the woman in question had been tested for stds recently and came back clean) I got checked out for STDS, and came back positive for gonnahrea, and was treated. The doctor said the spot was nothing to worry about and ignored it.
I read online about herpes and pushed to get tested about 5 weeks into this. Tested positive for previous exposure to HSV1 and negative for HSV2 so im like the majority of the population, probably not herpes.
I got referred to a urologist and am being treated with doxycycline for urethritis, and he thought the irritated spot might be fungal and prescribed an antifungal cream (2% ketoconazole) twice a day.
That brings me up to today... Ive been using the antifungal creme for about 3 weeks. The irritated area is located on the under side of my penis along my circumcision scar. Its rarely red anymore, but still feels irritated and burns a little at times.
The general consensus from the docs is that the spot is unrelated to the gonnahrea and the lingering urethritis. The antifungal medication has helped, but not sure if its the medicine or just the fact its a soothing creme. It does sting a bit when first applied but that goes away quickly.
Ive also been soaking daily in a bath with epsom salts which helped take the sting out of it.
So, my questions... what does this sound like?
Is it Fungal?
Could it be Yeast? Thinkin here that all the antibiotics im taking could be helping it keep going.
Could it be some kind of contact dermatitis?
What is it?
Ive tried antibiotic ointment, antifungal creme, and lysine creme so far... the antifungal seemed to help a little more than the others.
Ive thought about trying some anti-yeast thing like monostat, and ive also thought about trying some cortizone creme I have... but scared it might make it worse.
I havent seen a doc in a month, my urologist keeps telling me to keep using the creme, and keep taking antibiotics.
The irritated area has been pretty constant, it hasnt ever went away, overall id say the last 2 weeks its been less of an issue than the first 2 weeks... but its never really been gone.
Help. Please enlighten me.
Doctor's Answer
by Alan Rockoff, MD, Aug 16, 2005 12:00AM
, Aug 16, 2005 12:00AM
OK. I think the spot is irritation, not fungus. Among many other things, it would have been long gone from the antifungal cream if it were a fungus. I also agree that the spot has little to do with the gonorrhea.
As to what it is, I think it's an irritation. Try stopping the fungus cream and using a mild hydrocortisone, such as the 1% strength that's available over-the-counter. If that doesn't clear it up in a week or two, I'd show it to a skin doctor. But meantime don't irritate or rub it.
Take care.
Dr. Rockoff
As to what it is, I think it's an irritation. Try stopping the fungus cream and using a mild hydrocortisone, such as the 1% strength that's available over-the-counter. If that doesn't clear it up in a week or two, I'd show it to a skin doctor. But meantime don't irritate or rub it.
Take care.
Dr. Rockoff
Related discussions
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Irritation on under side of penis for last 11 months. (3 replies):Doc, I'll try to be brief with my lengthy story and pro...[more]
Thanks for your comments about my problem... Im not sure if you will read messages this old, but thought id try anyway. Heres an update on my problems.
Ive been to a dermatologist who also thought it looks like irritation and prescribed Locoid Lipocream (hydrocortisone butyrate 0.1%) applied twice a day. Ive been doing that for about 10 days and some days I think its healing some but not much change really, more wishful thinking.
So to summaries, Ive had this since June 10th, got early relief soaking in epsom salts (have since stopped as it made whole area itch over time), used perscription antifungal cream for a month it got better overall but never went away (just stopped itching) and getting about the same results from the hydrocortisone.
On a side note, I was being treated for urtheritis after the gonnahrea and that never got better... the urologist had me on doxycycline for 27 days and finally said 'i cant help ya'. I mentioned that to the dermatologist and was told i probably have a yeast infection because of all the antibiotics... so ive been on fluconazole for that... and its made a HUGE difference with the urtheritis.
Still wondering whats up with the irritation though and how to get rid of it... its almost 4 months now. Any comments would be appreciated.
Thanks
Well its not 10/6 and im still having issues related to this...
I used the Lipo cream at the dermatologists instruction for 5 weeks and the irritation is lessened but still present. Im not using nothing for 2 weeks (again as instructed) to see if it heals the rest the way on its own.
As an FYI the urethritis now only occurs when I havent drank enough, so drinking alot of water and cranberry juice through out the day keeps it in check... still think theres something wrong there but the docs have found nothing. :-(