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Dermatology (Expert Forum)
irritation of glans penis
Answered by
Alan Rockoff, MD - dermatology, Child Skin Problems
The Rockoff Dermatology Center
Brookline - MA
Welcome to the DERMATOLOGY FORUM! Questions in this forum are answered by Dermatologists from St. Luke's Roosevelt Hospital, under the direction of Andrew Alexis, M.D., M.P.H.
irritation of glans penis
by blue70, Mar 21, 2003 12:00AM
I am 27 years old and have a condition that began nearly three weeks ago. It began with a mild pain just inside the urethra and general awareness of the urethra as a whole, when normally you wouldn’t notice it. There was no discharge from the penis nor did I feel any discomfort during urination. I went to an std clinic and was diagnosed with non-specific urethritis and was given doxicyclene(sp?). I wasn’t sure if what I had was an STD since I have not been sexually active for the past three months.
What worries me the most is that accompanying this discomfort in the urethra are some out-of-the-ordinary blotches of redness (nothing bright red, but just more so than the skin around it) on the sides of the corona of the penis glans. There are also a couple red dots on the corona separate from one of the patches, but it could be normal discoloration exaggerated by the irritation? These blotches feel a little irritable especially if something rubs up against it.
A urologist didn’t seem to notice anything out of the ordinary and also diagnosed me with urethritis and prescribed levaquin for treatment, which seemed to work better than the doxicyclene at eliminating the discomfort in the urethra. However the redness and irritability of the glans continues to persist. In addition to the irritability I sometimes feel what can best be described as a slight burning sensation on the glans which comes and goes. There have been no open lesions, blisters, raised bumps, warts or anything of that nature. What this really looks like is some abrasion. It’s difficult to tell, but when I touch the corona it seems to be just as irritable in places where there is no abnormal redness as it does where the redness is present.
I have had this condition once before almost exactly a year ago (only then there was some pain and redness at the end of the urethra - again no discharge or open lesions). At that time the doctor(GP) didn’t seem to notice anything out of the ordinary with the glans other than some minor redness and prescribed a cocktail of various antibiotics to deal with the urinary infection. After taking all the drugs the condition went away. This condition began shortly after having sex in which the condom broke. Even though I was briefly exposed, there is still the possibility that this was sexually transmitted.
Although this condition sounds a little bit like balanitis (I am circumsized), herpes or hpv also worry me after having read what other sites have to say about them. I have not had symtoms of fever or aches which seem to accompany these diseases.
I hoping you can help me get to the bottom of what is causing me so much anxiety. Some questions I have:
1. What could this redness/irritation be suggestive of, especially since it has lasted nearly 3 weeks and has recurred?
2. Why would I get a urinary tract infection and irritation of the glans at the same time?
3. What could I use to remedy this situation?
Thanks in advance.
What worries me the most is that accompanying this discomfort in the urethra are some out-of-the-ordinary blotches of redness (nothing bright red, but just more so than the skin around it) on the sides of the corona of the penis glans. There are also a couple red dots on the corona separate from one of the patches, but it could be normal discoloration exaggerated by the irritation? These blotches feel a little irritable especially if something rubs up against it.
A urologist didn’t seem to notice anything out of the ordinary and also diagnosed me with urethritis and prescribed levaquin for treatment, which seemed to work better than the doxicyclene at eliminating the discomfort in the urethra. However the redness and irritability of the glans continues to persist. In addition to the irritability I sometimes feel what can best be described as a slight burning sensation on the glans which comes and goes. There have been no open lesions, blisters, raised bumps, warts or anything of that nature. What this really looks like is some abrasion. It’s difficult to tell, but when I touch the corona it seems to be just as irritable in places where there is no abnormal redness as it does where the redness is present.
I have had this condition once before almost exactly a year ago (only then there was some pain and redness at the end of the urethra - again no discharge or open lesions). At that time the doctor(GP) didn’t seem to notice anything out of the ordinary with the glans other than some minor redness and prescribed a cocktail of various antibiotics to deal with the urinary infection. After taking all the drugs the condition went away. This condition began shortly after having sex in which the condom broke. Even though I was briefly exposed, there is still the possibility that this was sexually transmitted.
Although this condition sounds a little bit like balanitis (I am circumsized), herpes or hpv also worry me after having read what other sites have to say about them. I have not had symtoms of fever or aches which seem to accompany these diseases.
I hoping you can help me get to the bottom of what is causing me so much anxiety. Some questions I have:
1. What could this redness/irritation be suggestive of, especially since it has lasted nearly 3 weeks and has recurred?
2. Why would I get a urinary tract infection and irritation of the glans at the same time?
3. What could I use to remedy this situation?
Thanks in advance.
Doctor's Answer
by Alan Rockoff, MD, Mar 21, 2003 12:00AM
, Mar 21, 2003 12:00AM
It sounds a lot like balanitis (irritation/eczema of the penis) and not much like anything else. It certainly doesn't sound like herpes or warts or any other STD. The fact that two physicians haven't seen much out of the ordinary is reassuring. I don't know why you would get this at the same time as urethritis, because the conditions are unrelated.
I advise simple moisturizing and ignoring the situation. If it won't let you ignore it, you can consult another doctor, perhaps a dermatologist.
Best.
Dr. Rockoff
I advise simple moisturizing and ignoring the situation. If it won't let you ignore it, you can consult another doctor, perhaps a dermatologist.
Best.
Dr. Rockoff
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If you find more info about this PLEASE let me know.
I have had this condition for almost seven years; and I am 34 years old. (I saw a dermatologist regularly over this period, (every few months), but it was not until I sought a second opinion, that I got this aforementioned diagnosis).
The aetiology of this condition was a trauma from the application of a cortico-steroid that was prescribed for atopic dermatitis on my arms and neck; that cleared from my arms and neck almost immediately after application.
The structural damage to the glans penis is that the spongy tissue is no longer smooth, as it used to be, but is now cracked: including linear parallel ridges over a triangular region on top of the glans, (from my perspective, looking down), including a circular region around the urethra. As well, the glans is red and inflamed over the region where the linear parallel ridges are and around the urethra, (identically where I applied the aforementioned corto-steriod: Can this be a coincidence?).
I have not engaged in any form of sexual relations since this condition manifested itself. Needless to say, this is a source of considerable grief.
I have been using Protopic 0.03% (8 weeks), Protopic 0.1% (2 weeks), and 1% hydrocortisone mixed with aquaphor, glycerin, and water (6 months); and have seen little improvement.
QUESTION:
Is there reason to be optimistic about recovery? What is the best that can be expected? And, any suggestions for additional, or other, treatment?
I have had this condition for almost seven years; and I am 34 years old. (I saw a dermatologist regularly over this period, (every few months), but it was not until I sought a second opinion, that I got this aforementioned diagnosis).
The aetiology of this condition was a trauma from the application of a cortico-steroid that was prescribed for atopic dermatitis on my arms and neck; that cleared from my arms and neck almost immediately after application.
The structural damage to the glans penis is that the spongy tissue is no longer smooth, as it used to be, but is now cracked: including linear parallel ridges over a triangular region on top of the glans, (from my perspective, looking down), including a circular region around the urethra. As well, the glans is red and inflamed over the region where the linear parallel ridges are and around the urethra, (identically where I applied the aforementioned corto-steriod: Can this be a coincidence?).
I have not engaged in any form of sexual relations since this condition manifested itself. Needless to say, this is a source of considerable grief.
I have been using Protopic 0.03% (8 weeks), Protopic 0.1% (2 weeks), and 1% hydrocortisone mixed with aquaphor, glycerin, and water (6 months); and have seen little improvement.
QUESTION:
Is there reason to be optimistic about recovery? What is the best that can be expected? And, any suggestions for additional, or other, treatment?
I have had this condition for almost seven years; and I am 34 years old. (I saw a dermatologist regularly over this period, (every few months), but it was not until I sought a second opinion, that I got this aforementioned diagnosis).
The aetiology of this condition was a trauma from the application of a cortico-steroid that was prescribed for atopic dermatitis on my arms and neck; that cleared from my arms and neck almost immediately after application.
The structural damage to the glans penis is that the spongy tissue is no longer smooth, as it used to be, but is now cracked: including linear parallel ridges over a triangular region on top of the glans, (from my perspective, looking down), including a circular region around the urethra. As well, the glans is red and inflamed over the region where the linear parallel ridges are and around the urethra, (identically where I applied the aforementioned corto-steriod: Can this be a coincidence?).
I have not engaged in any form of sexual relations since this condition manifested itself. Needless to say, this is a source of considerable grief.
I have been using Protopic 0.03% (8 weeks), Protopic 0.1% (2 weeks), and 1% hydrocortisone mixed with aquaphor, glycerin, and water (6 months); and have seen little improvement.
QUESTION:
Is there reason to be optimistic about recovery? What is the best that can be expected? And, any suggestions for additional, or other, treatment?