Strange Goings on in my Underwear!!!

sometimes my penis becomes red and itchy, there are no spots or sores or anything, it just feels a little uncomfortable and turns a bit red, mainly round the end of my foreskin. this lasts for a couple of days and then it stops but my foreskin then becomes really dry and tightens up so i cant pull it back! it looks a bit like dry skin or ezcema (eczema). when i get an erection the skin splits. this first happened about 3 months ago and since then it has happened 3 times.

i cant think what kind of STD it might be.... i have tried cortizone cream and ecezema cream that soothes but does not clear.

do you think i have an infection or am i having a skin reaction to soap or something.

i have a new girlfriend and i really want it to go away as im planning on getting some on new years eve :)

thanks
Sami

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Probably not an STD; conceivably recurrent herpes, but I doubt it.  Sounds like you have recurrent nonspecific balanitis or yeast balanitis.  Balanitis is the general term for inflammation of the head of the penis and inside of the foreskin.  Both nonspecific and yeast infections typically result from poor hygiene--failure to retract the foreskin and wash daily.  In your case, it sounds like your foreskin is a bit too tight, interfering with both natural hygiene and your ability to keep things as clean as desired.  When balanitis then develops, the swelling of the tissues makes it even more difficult than normal to retract the foreskin.

So you need to see a urologist to see if this is the issue, and whether partial circumcision, or just a minor nicking of the foreskin to enlarge the opening, is in your future.  Don't  delay too long.  If an inflamed foreskin is forcibly retracted, e.g. during sex, sometimes it can't be pulled back over the head of the penis, and with continued inflammation it becomes like a tight rubber band that can restrict blood flow to the head.  It can be extremely painful and can even risk necrosis (death) of the glans (glands)--which you definitely don't want.  This is rare, so don't rush off to the doc in a panic.  But do follow up to be safe.

Finally, it would be a good idea to make sure your new partner doesn't have a yeast infection that you may be sharing.

Good luck and happy holidays--   HHH, MD

[samihyypia]

Ok thanks for that.
i dont think its herpes... i once had a girl who caught herpes from a coldsore i had on my mouth, she had an outbreak pretty bad but then nothing for the remaining 2 years i was with her. i did have unprotected sex with her afterwards but never had a problem. i got checked about 5-6 months ago and was clean. theres no coldsores or anything just redness and then ultimately really dry flaky skin round the top of my foreskin... kind of like a rubber band effect as you said but only round the tip. its really strange and annoying.

i guess i will go to see the doctor tomorrow.

Sami

[oldstyle81]

I have something similar, i developed a rash, sometimes itchy, not burny unless i put overthecounter antifungal on it. it spread to the base of my penis, not the actual penis itself the little fold on the mons pubis, its been there for a lil over a week.  there are no blisters or pimples,

penis also appers to be very dry, get chaffed easily but no blisters or pimples that even remotley resemble herpes. i use baby powder a lot

vaseline helps with the dryness on my penis but i think i might need a stronger antifungal

[oldstyle81]

sorry wrong forum

[samihyypia]

i went to doc's and it was yeast infection. he gave me a pill and some cream and it cleared up within a couple of days. RELIEF!