balantis, herpes, or penile yeast infection?

[GC_Going Crazy]

I am an uncircumcised male suffering from recurrent balanitis. I am currently abroad and don’t have access to health care until I return in four weeks. Last month, I visited a brothel (something I regret deeply) and received unprotected oral sex from a prostitute in addition to vaginal sex with a condom. The prostitute also licked my entire body with her tongue, including my anus. About a week later, I started to experience severe rectal itch but that went away in a few days. Four weeks later, I started to notice red bumps (in clusters) on the head of my penis I applied antibiotic ointment frequently. The bumps started to disappear a few days later only to return a few days after that in increased numbers with a tingling sensation. I continue my own treatment for the next few days and the number of red bumps decrease only to return again, this time with white blisters!  Now I have red bumps with white blisters on the sides, tip, and back of my penis head. The white spots on the back (visible when foreskin is pulled back) don’t seem to be raised, although I am not sure. There is also occasionally an itchy, burning sensation (but not when I urinate). The red bumps continue to decrease and increase. I have not yet noticed the bumps to burst or crust over. It has been about a week now since I noticed the white blisters.
    What are the chances that I have herpes? Or is this penile yeast infection? What can I do in the next four weeks (no anti-yeast creams sold here)?

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

It sounds much more like yeast than like herpes.  I suggest you get an antifungal/yeast cream like clotrimazole 1% or miconazole 1% and apply them 3-4 times a day.  That plus gentle cleansing should be all you need.  It's unlikely that you'll still have problems or a question when you get home, but if you do you can ask then.

Take care.

Dr. Rockoff

[GC_Going Crazy]

Update: Today, most of the white spots seem to be gone, but some red bumps are still here and there on the penis head. More importantly, the foreskin seems tighter than usual and I am starting to experience pain on the tip of the penis. I continue to apply antibiotic ointment every time after I urinate.

[GC_Going Crazy]

Thank you, doctor. That is a relief. I have one more question. In the next few days I will have an opportunity to swim in a pool. Should I avoid getting into a pool? Thank you.