Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum.  ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Dermatology  (Expert Forum)
 | 
psoriasis?
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.

psoriasis?

by stevejackson, Aug 27, 2007 06:16PM
Some history...

I have had a recurring red rash on the head and shaft of my penis for a few years  now.  

I first noticed it in Jan. 2005.  

I went to an immediate care clinic for this rash several times and was told it was balanitis two different times.  It then returned and was all spread out all over my penis.  I went to get tested for STD's and came back completely clean.  

I most recently saw a dermatologist last winter and he said it was psoriasis.  He gave me Protopic.  that seems to do the trick, but never completely removes the rash.  if i dont use it for a few days, it comes back.  i also apply cortaid 1% quite frequently and that does the trick too, but as soon as I stop, it comes back.

should i go back to him and get more protopic?  is this bad for me?  what about cancer?  

will it ever go away?  or will i have to always apply hydrocortisone and other creams to my junk just to keep the skin (almost) clear?

Here are some pics I took 5 minutes ago.

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e335/stevejackson/Picture2.png
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e335/stevejackson/Picture3.png
http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e335/stevejackson/Picture1.png

The only thing I want is to look down at my hog and see clear and clean skin.  

Thank you.  

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Steve


by Alan Rockoff, MD, Aug 27, 2007 08:28PM
To: stevejackson
Nice pictures!

Yes, psoriasis looks correct.  This is not an STD.  You may have to live with a shadow of pinkness.  Psoriasis comes and goes, but you can pretty much always make it go away fast on the penis with a mild cream.  Protopic is OK, but why not use good old-fashoned hydrocortisone?  Even the 1% variety you can get over-the-counter should do the trick, and if not, your dermatologist can give you something just a bit stronger, but still perfectly safe, by prescription.

Yes, you have to live with this, but don't make something so trivial into a big deal when you don't need to.

Take care.

Dr. Rockoff
Member Comments (2)

by stevejackson, Aug 27, 2007 09:51PM
To: Dr. Rockoff
Thank you...

People just get kinda freaked out by redness on the junk, you know?

This has been a thorn in my side for a while and I finally am coming to grips with it.  

Thank you for your help.

John
Continue discussion
RSS Expert Activity
Prevention Gains Momentum: Your Gui... 
Nov 29 by Lee Kirksey, MD
What You Don't Know About Breathing...
Nov 24 by Steven Y Park, MD
Thanksgiving
Nov 23 by Thomas Dock, Vet. Technician