Spreading Inflammation of Penis

[mjd709]

A couple of months ago I had a small abrasion on the head of my penis from masturbating.  It healed after a couple of days and the dead skin flaked off.  I then started masturbating again and I rubbed the new skin from the prior abrasion off. (dummy) This second time, the skin took a very long time to heal and kept crusting over then flaking off.  It wouldn't quite heal.  So I applied some Neosporin and vitamin E to it to get it to heal.  That's when the itching on the shaft of my penis just below the glans and abrasion.  I ignored it for a while but the inflammaiton started growing worse over a larger area.  I then applied some 1% Hydrocortisone for 5 days and it seemd to help the inflammation, however, after I discontinued use the skin continued to flake and peel and the inflammation came back.  It is now worse than ever over a larger area.  Sometimes it itches.  I have been to the doctor's and he indicated that it looked like nothing and that the skin was just red and healing, leave it alone.  (btw...was tested and am std free)  That was three weeks ago.  I again contacted my doctor and he had me apply lotrimin just in case I got a fungal infection.  I have been doing this for the past week to no avail.   I seem to be going through a cycle of flake, peel repeat.  Revealing new skin that appears shiny, thin and very red.  I would chalk this up to normal skin growing back, however, this condition appears to be spreading.

Could I have gotten some sort of dermatitis from the neosporin?

I don't really know how to proceed with this and feel that it may be an eternity before it returns to normal. Your thoughts/advice are apprecitaed.  I am trying not to worry.

[JohnDaly]

Are you taking Effexor, Trazadone, or Atenelol.  My symptoms began after I began taking these medications.

Thanks

[waterskipilot]

I also have a conditon that sounds very similar to what was described above. However, I have had the problem for over a year now. I attribute mine to an experience with a girl and oral sex(poor skills) in addition to masturbation. I have tried several remedies as well, to no avail. The list includes Neosporin, Vitamin E oil, Cortizone 10, and recently Psoriasin. I have done some of my own research on this, and after seeing some pictures and descriptions, It sounds like a case of Psoriasis. Please let me know what else I can do. I have yet to go to a doctor, but will soon If I can not find a solution through this method.

Thanks

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

I doubt that fungus is at all likely.  You clearly had an irritation, and indeed neosporin can sometimes cause a rash, so since you don't need an antibiotic, you can dispense with that too.

My advice is to apply 1% hydrocortisone cream 4 times a day for 5 days, and positurize with vaseline each time.  After that, just moisturize and use no active medication at all.

I am confident the redness will go away in time.  If the color spreads (without more irritation this would be extremely unlikely), you should show your doctor.

You can't damage the penis long-term by irritation from masturbation.  You'll be OK, I'm confident.

Best.

Dr. Rockoff