wrinkled skin on Penis glans

[jggator]

Several years ago at age 42 i developed a very small wrinkled area of skin on the head of the penis-it was small and near the  area around the opening to the urethra and surrounding area of the glans. It almost appeared like little lines but you could not feel a raised surface but it was visable.If you stretched the skin area you could not notice any raised surface or feel any.But in a relaxed state the area of concern looks as though the opening to the urethra and a small area around that has been irratated. I was alarmed becasue it was new..and although i had used a condem during sex aprx. 98% of the time there were several occasions i did not with my girlfreind. I went to the doctor who noticed the tiny line or lines and he assured me it was not herpes.He felt it could be tiny warts and tried to freeze the area. It was hard to tell if that worked... I have never expereinced any discomfort of any kind-no itching-or pain- or discharge and no burning while urination. It is more of a visual thing. I then went to my dermatologist who did an examination and he said it was normal skin cells, and made a comparison to be  like skin on the tips of the elbows. I asked if it could be warts and he said no it is not. I felt releived. Then several years later i took a trip to the beach and after swimming the area of concern  got very red and irratated.(salt water) I had never had this problem swimming in pools or lakes.(freshwater or chlorinated pools) I didnt know what to think.It was alarming that the very area of concern again got into my head. It went away after a few days so i let it go. I recently went on another ocean swim and it happened again! The areas of concern around the urethra opeing and a small area on the glans again got red and painful to the touch. I was alarmed again. What could casue such a reaction on the head of my penis. Its been four years since i first noticed this wrinkled skin. Ive not treated the area with anything.What could this possibly be? Should there be any concern for alarm? Does the Penis naturally age with the skin area and does that skin on the glans change over the years? Im now 47 years of age. Why would the ocean water have such an effect on only the wrinkled area on the glans?

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Skin crinkles up when wet, especially thin skin like that of the penis.  I can't even think of a serious problem that would present itself that way.  I advise you to stop worrying, stop looking at your penis, and see a dermatologist or urologist at your earliest convenience for a definitive diagnosis, so you can relax.

Thanks.

Dr. Rockoff

[dermo]

A related discussion, shrinking and wrinkled penis was started.