What should I expect?

I was recently diagnosed with a fungal infection. ( I am a 21 year old male). I was prescribed Nystatin Cream. I was told to use it up to 3 times daily, for two weeks. What should I expect from this cream? How will I know it is healing? Will the skin peel? I am asking these questions because I have no idea what to do, I have never had a fungal infection before, so if you have any information on it please leave me some advice. Thank you.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
When the fungal infection heals, there is a relief in the symptoms like itching and there is less redness and discoloration of the skin. Usually it takes around one to two weeks for the healing to begin and you will be relieved of the symptoms.

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.

[confuzzled778]

Thank you so much. I will definitely keep you informed. The only thing that scares me is I have read from a lot of different place that the Nystatin cream didn't really work and that the powder is much more beneficial. Also, the doctor told me I might to see a dermatologist if it doesn't clear up. It scares me with the dermatologist because I don't know what reasons they might want to see me for.

[confuzzled778]

I am kind of worried because all though it is no longer bright red it is still pink and the pink color is a little bigger, covering the entire tip of the glans (glands). Is that normal?

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Sometimes the fungal infection may take some time to clear up. Most cases of fungal infections respond to over-the-counter products, which contain any of several basic ingredients: miconazole, tolnaftate, terbinafine,ketaconazole and clotrimazole.You can consult a pharmacist and get any cream or lotion containing these ingredients. Also wear cotton clothes and keep the area dry.

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.

[confuzzled778]

I had a red irritation/rash on my penile meatus. It has been here for about a month now and my doctor prescribed the nystatin. The meatus on the right side of tip, near the hole has a little tear. It's almost circular and it is small. It hasn't gotten bigger or worse and the nystatin has taken care of the redness and other irritation, however the tear is NOT healing and I don't know why. It looks like I might have to see a dermatologist which scares me. I've bee refraining from touching it and I haven't drank any liquor in about 2 weeks now, I also started using bar soap on the area. It seems to have cleared up the irritation but the wound hasn't healed at all.
The doctor told me he believed it was just a yeast infection. Should I get another prescription for Nystatin? What do you think it might be?

[confuzzled778]

The Nystatin didn't fully heal the infection. I have a set date for September to see a dermatologist but my doctor won't fill out a prescription for another  bottle of it until after I see the dermatologist. Now he is saying he isn't even sure if it is a yeast/fungal infection, which is scaring me. I have no idea what to think. I have no idea what to expect at the dermatologist.