penis fungal infection herpes???

[mike587]

I have had round circular sores that popped on up on the head of my penis.  This happened aboout five weeks ago and they still remain there.  I also had certain sores on the shaft of my penis more towards the base of the penis.  I went to the walk in clinic a week ago for an examination.  The doctor said that it doesn't look herpetic and prescribed clotrimazole and betamethasone cream.  I have been using this cream for a week.  Although, it looks like the  sores on the shaft have cleared up.  The head of my penis still has these sores.  The sores are kind of strange in the morning they do not have any color and in the afternoon seem to be red.  There is no puss does not seem to be blisters.  I have had these on the head of my penis before and have remained there for couple months.  Could it be friction???  These sores had a lot of itching and burning associated with it.  The sores at the base of the penis seem to be gone and no itching has occurred.  The cream seemed to take care of the itching but the burning is almost unbearable.  How long do I continue the cream???  How long does herpes last???  I have also not felt so good loss of appetite, depression, constant internet surfing on information about herpes etc. Maybe due to stress?? I was working out regularly and thought it was a form of jock itch but just occurred on the penis.  Any ideas  

[leon8]

I woke up the other day and felt an itch in my groin area, I didn't pay it any attention until later on that day! When I finally looked I saw a cluster of clear bumps at the bottom of my penis inside of my pubic hairs! they itch and I felt a little tingling. I also noticed that clear fluid was oozing out of it! And today my girl friend notice that she had the same bumps in her pubic hairs!! I am scared to death that its an STD!! Can any body give me an answer on what this could be, besides an STD???

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

First of all, herpes doesn't cause sores that are both on the head and the base of the shaft.  Second, these sores don't sound like the kind herpes causes, and the doctor who saw you didn't think they were either.  So I think you can forget about herpes.  After any kind of irritation goes away, sensitive skin like skin on the penis can still look red, especially if the skin is warmed up, which would explain why some of your spots get redder later in the day.  I think what you have left is friction, plus a lot of itching from anxiety.  I suggest that you relay these concerns to your doctor or to a skin doctor in person, because examination in person is the only way you're going to be able to get the reassurance you need.

Take care.

Dr. Rockoff