Strange symptoms on penis glans

[Jetta114]

I have very strange symptoms on my penis glans for the past roughly five years now. I have been tested for STDS every year since symptoms have came up and am only positive for HSV 1 which I used to get sores on the mouth when I was younger. The original symptoms came after having sex in a public shower in my dorm. Around 2-3 weeks later I had the initial symptoms of very defined red areas coming out of my penis hole. There is three separate defined areas that are shiny and sometimes will flake. Whenever I have rough intercourse these areas become red right away and will eventually fade within hours. I have been to a dermatologist who said to take basically a steroid and anti fungal. Everytime I have friction the red areas will flare up within minutes and they are clearly defined. Seems to me like a skin disease more than an std since my tests are all negative besides HSV 1. The area after a shower will become shiny and smooth, it usually does not hurt unless there is tremendous friction. I use some oils to help moisturize the area which helps but the areas seem to be "etched" in the penis glans. That's how defined they are.  Any help would be great thanks.

[Jetta114]

Can I email you a picture for better diagnosis?  After the flare ups a few days later the skin will subside and the redness lessens. I can show you a picture of it right after rough friction.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.

First of all it can be simply skin irritation caused by friction or dermatitis skin. For the same I suggest you to stop applying anything, use mild soaps like Dove, use lubrication during masturbation or intercourse, wear cotton clothes and use plain Vaseline.

If the symptoms do not improve then the possibilities which need to be ruled out are balanitis ( due to fungal infection ) or Zoon’s balanitis which is a form of chronic inflammation of the glans penis and foreskin, which affects middle-aged to elderly men who have not been circumcised.

What you need to do is consult a dermatologist and get a KOH examination of the skin scrapings of the penis and a biopsy of small skin sample done if the symptoms persist. KOH examination of the area will clarify whether it is balanitis due to fungal infection or not.

Hope that this information helps and hope that you will get better soon.

Wishing you good health.