Worried-What is this?

[New2u]

About a month ago I found a lump under the skin just above my penis in the crease of the skin where the pennis joins the body.  It was about the size of a pencil earser.  I shave in that area so I figured it was an ingrown hair and left it alone.  A week went by and I checked it again, it had gotten much larger about twice its original size.  While I was checking the area some puss came out....then some clear fluid and blood.  Over the next couple of days it went down in size. Then after a week or so it got big again with the same results.  It's been a month and it's still there, but it's back to the original size.  It never hurts or itches, but it doesn't go away.  I have been putting neosporin on it, but that doesn't seem to help.  I shaved around that area to help in putting the ointment on the skin.  About a week ago I noticed a red and itching area at the base of my penis on the left side in the crease where it joins the body...(same area I shaved in).  There are several (10 or so)skin colored bumps with a slight whitening center. They are in an area about the size of a quarter.  Those bumps itch pretty bad.  I dont see a hair growing out of them.  I cleaned the area with hydrogen peroxide and that made them itch more.....the also turned really white when I did that.  They almost look like little pieces of chalk on the skin that you could just wipe off.  I have been putting neosporin on that area as well for about a three days now with no change.  I thought it might be follicultis but the pictures I have seen don't match.  I work out 5 days a week so I'm not sure if its irritation, a rash, or some type of STD.  I've been in a monogamus relationship with the same woman for the last 5 years.  So what could this be?  If I need antiboitics, I'm allergic to penacillin, what would be a good antibiotic I could take?  Please help.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

I think you are describing the results of irritation.  I suggest you minimize any more irritation by using powder after showering and applying a bland moisture lotion only.  The lump at the base of the penis is almost certainly a blocked follicle, which will respond best to being left alone--the lumpiness may take weeks to resolve, but it will.  Avoid hydrogen peroxide or any other potential irritant.  If you're still troubled in 7-10 days, see a doctor for advice.  I'm confident you won't need oral antibiotics.

Best.

Dr. Rockoff

[New2u]

Doc.....I noticed today that there is an area near that itchy spot (which is also rough and scaly now) that is brown in color....with white bumps and hair growing in each one.  I'm thinking that folliculits is what I have and that I will need antibiotics.  Since I'm allergic to penacillin what should I take....tetracylene?

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Most folliculitis is treated with topical (external), not internal antibiotics.  Check with a doctor.

Dr. Rockoff