thin skin

[John]

Dr., for a long time now the underside of my penis has been very smooth and the skin is thin and gets irritated(it's even worse when I play sports because it gets really sweaty). I think it may have been normal, but then somehow it got worn down, I don't think it was from masterbation either. I put things on it like vitamin c, nizoral cream, and vasalein but nothing helps to rejuvenate the skin back to normal. I really don't want to go to the dermatologist for this so if you could tell me if this is healable or not and what to do I would greatly appreciate. Thanks.

[John]

Dr., I started to put some of the lotion on the area which is irritated and it gets even redder than it was before and it is also breaking out with some little bumps on it. The skin was definately not shiny, it was red and has been red for a long time. I don't know if you read the replies, but if you could tell me anything else I would appreciate it.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

John:

Shiny doesn't necessarily mean thin.  There's no reason for skin there to be thin, unless you were using strong cortisone creams there for a long time, which you haven't.  I( advise suing a good moisturizer, like Nutraderm lotion (OTC), and not paying too much attention.

Best.

Dr. Rockoff