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Dermatology  (Expert Forum)
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possible reaction in glans penis to hydrocortisone?
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.

possible reaction in glans penis to hydrocortisone?

by nicholas, Jan 31, 2003 12:00AM
Dr Rockoff,
            I think I may have a similar problem to the one posted by wsm7011 on May 21, 2002. In 2001 I developed a large rash on the foreskin and head of my penis (slightly irritating, no real pain, looked like sunburn). My Doctor said it was dermatitis and proscribed Locoid C (hydrocortisone cream). It worked well but the foreskin got very dry and didn't retract that well for 3-4 days. After that however the penis went completely back to normal.
In late December 2002 another rash appeared over most of the head, but mild compared to last time.  I didn't consult my Doctor and applied the Locoid C cream again, thinking it was the same problem.  After a few applications I could see it wasn't having any real effect so I stopped using it. 2-3 days later I starting getting real pain all over the head of the penis. I was in some discomfort for a couple of days and the head became red all over.
Another Doctor I saw later thought this was hypersensitivity caused by the Locoid C cream and advised me to do nothing for a week to let things settle down.
Sure enough, within a week to 10 days the pain/irritation went away though the redness was still there.
Also shortly after this red spots appeared on the head & foreskin as well. My doctor diagnosed this as thrush. He proscribed canestan which got rid of the spots in a few days.  
Thinking now my problems were virtually over, I (gently) masturbated for the first time in round 2 weeks. I didn't let the foreskin ride over the head so as not to cause any more irritation. I did this again gently 2 days later.  The next day the pain started again but not as bad.  I only notice the pain/stinging intermittently now and it's coming just from the right side of the head but there is a constant feeling of rawness and the area is still just as red.
What could be cause of this?  Do you think the cream has thinned the skin & left the nerves more exposed thereby causing the pain and soreness?  How long should I expect this condition to last for? It's been going on for a month now.
BTW, I haven't been sexually active with anyone else for a long time & I haven't had any discharges or signs of std's.

Thanks.


by Alan Rockoff, MD, Jan 31, 2003 12:00AM
I think you had dermatitis the first time and yeast the second time.  Your doctor correctly diagnosed and treated each and now you are fine.  Yeast is usually not contracted from someone else--yeats live in the gut.

Aftet two (unrealted) insults, sensitive penile skin can tingle for a while.  This too shall pass, as will the redness, which per se means nothing.  Locoid is far too mild to cause even temporary thinning of the skin.

I'd stick with your first doctor, who seems to know his stuff.

Best.

Dr. Rockoff
Member Comments (4)

by Questionmark, Jan 31, 2003 12:00AM
To: Dr. Rockoff
Will irritation on a penis head (glans)ever heal? Cause ever since i dropped that prodine iodine (2 months ago) on it, man the tingling sensation(feels like tooth paste on my skin) keeps coming and going.Im just woundering if penile skin will ever heal?

by nicholas, Feb 16, 2003 12:00AM
I live in New Zealand and according to dermnetnz.org (New Zealand Dermatological Society), Hydrocortisone 17-butyrate is considered a class 2 potent steriod cream & 50-100 times as potent as hydrocortisone. This is the ingredient for Locoid C. Yet Dr Rockoff says "Locoid is far too mild to cause even temporary thinning of the skin".  Who is right?  Can anyone qualified and reading this, answer?
It's been 6 weeks now with this condition. The head of the penis feels raw, looks red, and the slightest bit of friction causes pain (that takes a couple of days to subside). This is not just "tingling" as Dr Rockoff states.
The surface of the head is very dry yet sticks to the touch, not normal. (as if there isn't much of a proper skin layer)
Has anyone else had any bad experiences with Locoid C ?

Thanks, Nicolas.

by galvatron, Jun 06, 2003 12:00AM
Dr. Rockoff,

I took a creme for yeast on my penis, and it was a
creme that would eat at layers of the skin.  The
doctor gave me directions to take it 3 times a day
for as long as I see yeast.  I ended up taking it a long
time, and now part of the foreskin is eroded back some in one area on top, and thinner skin thickness and more sensitive to the touch inside.  Also, the head of the penis around it is red and more sensitive to the touch.  I clean my penis every day, but I will eventually get yeast again if I don't.  Also, the doctor said the yeast will never end and says he sees no problem when looking directly at the red part that is too sensitive, and didn't respond to my symptoms of sensitivity I told him.
It has remained this way for more than a year now.

Is there any hope this can be improved?  Especially if
someday I want to have sex, this would probably cause me
pain.  Is there any answer to this problem?  Is there the
chance somehow my penis can be healed of this extra sensitivity that is borderline pain, especially for if I have sex in the future?  Or am I stuck with a messed-up penis forever?

Thank you for your time.
Awaiting your reply.

by gotpain, Sep 06, 2008 05:40PM
A related discussion, Contant pain on the glanz was started.
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