irritated, redish skin on penis

Hello Doctors,

Today I noticed redness on the head of my penis with some red dots in that area that remind burst vessels. That area is more sensitive to touch now sort of like irritated possibly from rubbing and feels so during friction. I also noticed on that area the skin has a few circular micro tears - sort of like it's peeling off.

I recall having something like that years ago but I'm not sure 100% - maybe 6-8 years ago. Didn't go to a doctor - it went away by itself.

I'm very worried about this. What could it be? Does that sound like STD?

I have tinea versicolor for a few years now it reappears from time to time especially during summer when it's humid. Two years ago Doctor gave me Selenium Sulfade and Naftifine 1% which I use if some spots appear. Maybe the spot on my penis is somehow connected to this?

I hope it's just a simple irritation.

Thank you very much.

[Vanessa Lacuesta]

Hi

This sounds like balanitis. Balanitis is not necessarily a sexually transmitted disease. Although sexual activity may increase the chance of acquiring balanitis. Balanitis refers to a skin condition localized on the head of the penis. The glans (glands) penis may be scaly and itchy. There may also be redness. Fungal infections, dermatitis and psoriasis may be part of balanitis. Wash the area with water. Have the scales microscopically evaluated so that fungal infections may be ascertained to be present. Apply miconazole craem on the area thinly after washing for 3 days. Abstain from any sexual activity during this time. Note if there is any impovement. If none, then you may need further evaluation for this.

[shiffrob]

Dr. Lacuesta,

Thank you so much for your answer. I do wash my penis on daily basis when I take a shower in the morning. Could it be a simple irritation because of use of soap? Though I always use soap when I wash and don't think this caused any problems. The area is not itchy though. Just more sensitive to the touch.

Thank you very much.

[shiffrob]

Dr. Lacuesta,

Another quick question - you said that "Balanitis is not necessarily a sexually transmitted disease." That means that i could be? You could catch balanitis from someone? Could you please clarify?

Also, I just read that balanitis could be cause by "Over keen hygiene. Washing too hard under the foreskin or too frequently causes irritation."

Is that true? I wash my penis with soap every day when I take a shower and sometimes I wash it a few times with soap. Could that be the cause of it?

What do you think?

[shiffrob]

Dr. Lacuesta,

I apologize for long posts but this is really worrying me. I noticed inside of my foresking (when pulled back) has redness and scaly area. Would that affect your initial opinion? Could that be yeast infection? Would yeast infection mean that I contracted it through sexual intercourse? I don't take any antibiotics and I don't think I have diabeteis. Last time I had sex was 4 weeks ago. I heard men who drink beer may get yeast infection on the penis.

I think I had that redness a few months ago on the inside of my foreskin but I didn't pay much attention to it and it went away in a week or so. Maybe irritation to soap? I wash my penis at least once a day with soap.

Thank you so much for your opinion!

[shiffrob]

Dr. Aparna,

What is your opinion on my problem? I'd appreciate your reply - I'm very worried about this.

Thanks a lot.

[Bozcoe]

Is it at all possible to catch this from sleeping in another persons bed?