Test Came Clean, but Symptoms Persist

[ezmoneh]

I've had a red, swollen spot on the tip of my penis for a very long time, never had much pain or side effects from it, assumed it was just sensitive from friction and such.  

Last week, what looked like a scab appeared on the end of this bump, and has become sensitive to touch.  Neosporin has been helpful, although there was some itching for a few days.  The scab is not going away, I'm beginning to think it's some kind of infection, because a month ago I got a full spectrum test for STDs and came back clean and haven't had unprotected sex since then.

Any ideas?

[HowardH]

No STD is a likely cause. Herpes comes to mind, but a herpes lesion would never persist for longer than 1-2 weeks. The large majority of penile skin lesions and rashes are not due to STD. Most likely this is just some sort of garden variety dermatitis that can occur anywhere on the body but just happens to be on the penis. From your description, psoriasis comes to mind, but there are many other possibilities as well.  You should see a health professional for diagnosis. Most likely it's nothing serious.

[ezmoneh]

That may explain why it responded to well to Cortizone anti-itch cream with aloe in it, swelling went down and everything.  Does that seem reasonable?

[HowardH]

That suggests some sort of inflammatory condition. If it clears up and doesn't recur, you probably don't need to do anything. But if it recurs after you stop the cortisone cream (which I think it will), see a doctor for diagnosis before you treat it again.