Red tip of Penis; Red Little bumps around Circumfrence of Penis Gland

[helpme513]

DOC

Please help me:

I have a red tip on my penis that has been there for months.  I also have small red dots around the circumfrence of my penis gland.  THe skin on the shaft below the penis is also red from time to time, usually after sex.

I had unprotected oral sex, and occording to many other posts it seems that from oral sex the most likely culprit is NGU and gonnorreah.

I was tested for Gonn. and Chlamydia 2 months ago and the tests were negative

Could I have had a false negative test?

What else could this be?

If it is just irritation, what could i use to help it?  I ask this because neosporin and hydrocortosone for a few days did not help, if anything the hydrocortosone made it worse

thanks for your help

[Edward W Hook, MD]

It sounds as though you are worried and have been scrutinizing your penis more closely of late than in the past. In the process, you have notice variation in the color (redness) and small bumps around the glans.  The bumps sound like normal structures which often go un-noticed for long periods of time.  Some such structures are called pearly penile papules, others are simply glands.  They are not disease.

You are right that following receipt of oral sex the most likely STDs are gonorrhea and NGU but your descriptions do not sound like these problems.

There are no STDs that cause the penis to form red dots or red areas that would last months. The redness you note may well be irritation.

The tests for gonorrhea and chlamydia are very good.  If you have negative tests, you do not have gonorrhea r chlamydia. The tests are almost never false negative.

It does not sound like you have an STD of any sort.  My advice would be to see your doctor and ask for his/her opinion.  I would add however the Neosporin in particular can cause irritation and redness as a side effect of its use.  Hydrocortisone can also cause reactions but it is uncommon; the one thing it can make worse is yeast infections.

My advice, ask your doctor. This is most unlikely to be an STD.  EWH

[helpme513]

Last Question:

any thoughts on what could be causing the tip of my penis to be sore, and any thoughts on a remedy?

thanks

[Edward W Hook, MD]

The soreness and redness are probably related.  For now, I would stop self medicating. If your irritation is due to something you have put on it, it should get better. In the meantime, I would make an appointment with your doctor (you can always cancel if the irritation goes away).   EWH