Red, irritated skin under glans of the penis

[otto742]

First of all I apologize for the bouncing around of this post, but i have several thoughts I want to get out for you. Several weeks ago I noticed that the skin underneath the head of my penis was noticably "pink" and felt irritated.  I also had a burning sensation of that area of the penis that persisted about a week. It covers the area from the rim of my glans to about a 1/4 below and slightly around to the front part.  Im am circumsized.  It is now almost 3 1/2 weeks later and while it no longer has that burning sensation, it is still pinkish and more sensitive than it should be I think. It never had any sores, lesions, bumps or anything like that at all, just the general redness and discomfort.

Here is some back round info that might help and what I have done.  I am married , but you never now about the other for sure so im concerned this might be an STD of some sort (im the worrying type, but definately not a hypo).  My wife also just self treated for a yeast infection with monistat 1 day ovual as she had some severe itching and white excessive discharge. That completely cleared up her issue in 2 days she had the itching for about 2 weeks prior before it became an issue and she treated it .  So my other thought was that I someohow got a male yeast infection, but the photos i find online look horrible and nothing like my condition(same as all the STD pics im looking at!).  Two other caveats were that i recently started running and exercising and wore some tigh fitting spandex underwear that were a cotton lycra material for several days during these sessions right around the time this issue flared up.  Lastly i "used" to masturbate in a rather unusual fashion using no lube and a cotton tee ...while this sounds irritating i had done so for years with no issues. I have since stopped that, and masturbation altogether as this situation makes it uncomfortable. I have used 1% hydro and monistate cream to no avail! it also gets dry and flaky when exposed to air  alot.

[guymedhelp]

A related discussion, sores under glans from minimal contact was started.

[question125]

Dildo party- my term for a novelty party

[slacker101]

I have one question. What's a dildo party?

[question125]

Your description sounds like my case. two weeks ago It started to itch slightly then when scratching it was sensitive and would burn a little. Then I started to worry but online everything on stds and yeast infections were way worse than my symptoms, I have no burning or bumbs or **** leaking out. I noticed after sex with my wife the next day my whole head and skin behind it was red and irritated but the next day, gone. She did use a warmimg gel from those dildo parties. I had a ua due to a little tingle after urination (thinking from the urine still in the urethra) that shown no bacteria. I drible after peeing to for about the past 3 or 4 months. Doc said normal, even checked my prostate, fine. I think I must be having some allergies or something? Whats you thought

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

It sounds as though you had mild irritation, and that there is residual redness.  This is typical for sensitive skin after irritation, and it means nothing.  I do not think you have an STD or a yeast infection.  I think you should minimize friction and apply nothing medicated to the area, just moisture lotion.  I also think you should ignore the pinkness.  For further information, you'll need to see a doctor in person.

Take care.

Dr. Rockoff