itchy foreskin

[bricklayer]

This past summer while playing paintball in the woods I believe I caught some sort of fungus on my penis while I was urinating on a tree.I noticed a few days later after having sex an extreme itch just under the head of my penis.It looked like large iregular shaped welts that were smooth red and swollen.The itching was not like a poison ivy itch that is on the surface and gives you an urge to scratch but more like an intense tingling itch underneath the skin.These symptoms did not occur until 30 to 60 minutes after sex.The only thing that helps the itching and swelling subside is to run scalding hot water over it.If I dont masturbate or have sex it does not itch and the red welts go away although I can still see the areas that are affected.there are two smooth areas about the size of a fingernail that are lighter in color than the surrounding foreskin.I have tried using tinactin and some fungus cream called sanafitil,neither have seemed to help.A few times I thought that it had gone away and I tried masturbating,only for the red itchy welts to return.The last time this happened the swelling was so bad I considered going to the emergency room.The foreskin area had literaly swollen to at least twice its normal size,by the way I am circumsized.I am too embaresed to go a docter but I need to do somthing because this is driving me crazy.I would greatly appreciate any advice you have for me,and I am sorry about the spelling.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

I don't think this is a fungus--much more likely to be irritation, which would be aggravated by masturbation or any friction.  I advise you to apply 1% hydrocortisone, avoid friction, and overcome your embarrassment and see a doctor.  There is nothing to be embarrassed about--looking at rashes wherever they may be is what we do.  But you don't have to worry about fungus or infection.

Take care.

Dr. Rockoff

[shivm2290]

A related discussion, penis itching  under the foreskin/redness in patches was started.