Cortizone 10

[vajohn]

Been reading the site for the past few days and found it helpful but still had some questions so here goes another "what could it be" post.  

Had unprotected sex couple months back.  The sex had only lasted about 10-15 seconds as I smartened up and put on a condom.  Nonetheless, there was still unprotected vaginal and oral sex.  About 10 days after the act I noticed a strange red mark on my penis that almost looked like a scab.  Of course I panicked and starting obsessing over the mark.  I was out of the country and could not attend a doctor.  I continued masturbating on a daily basis and the mark got bigger and more irritated.  Never had any pain, itching, burning, tingling, etc.  Didn't experience any flu symptoms or sickness or any marks on or near my mouth either. 

Its now about 23 days since the mark appeared and 2 days ago I started using Cortizone 10 (that I bought from Eckerds for ringworm I previously had on my stomach).  The red and irritation is pretty much gone. There is a strange black line like a healed cut there now.  Not sure if I had a cut and irritated my skin by messing with it and obsessing so much or maybe it is herpes since the time lines match with the info I have read online.  

Can Cortizone 10 clear up Herpes?
Could this be ringworm?
What could the black line be?
Is it possible to have Herpes without any pain or itching?
Any other ideas?

Obviosuly I'm still scared and nervous that its Herpes.  I still plan to see a doctor and get full checkups but any help would to ease my mind would be appreciated.  
Thx

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

This doesn't sound much like herpes, but I can't say that it isn't.  In general, herpes is the most common cause of genital sores that become scabs.  You'll need to see a health care provider for diagnosis, especially if such a lesion reappears or you get other symptoms, particularly if they are blister-like.  If you have herpes, you didn't necessarily get it during the sexual encounter you describe.

As to other possible causes, I really cannot speculate.  Any of the hundreds of things that cause rashes anywhere on the body sometimes can occur on the penis.  The apparent reponse to cortisone cream doesn't help much; herpes outbreaks heal in a few days anyway.  But it doesn't sound like anything dangerous.

Good luck--  HHH, MD

[infected?]

would a single lesion that has remained unchanged for 2-3 weeks but causes considerable pain be characteristic of herpes?

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

No, but conceivably it started at herpes then got perpetuated as a traumatic lesion due to trauma.  I don't think this is herpes, just cannot be certain.