Irritation of the male anatomy

[mohawkman]

I have a issues with dry skin of the penis.  It only started happening about a month ago and i am sexually active.  It started out after having sex it would start to burn like lack of lubrication and after words just be kind of red and swollen looking.  When it would heal it would kind of scab up but more of a clear scab and then the skin if not lotioned would flake off but sometimes (like a scab) pull of skin that was ok causing more irritation and scabbing.  I also notice when masterbating when almost fully healed my skin being very dry will give way to the layer of skin undereath it and then the process starts all over.  Im wondering if this is a std or a problem with dry skin and i just need to let it heal.  Its almost as my Skin no longer has the elasticity it once had or something.  I have never used lotion as a masterbating aid and this has never occured to me before.  Im wondering if the reacurring issue is because i dont allow it enough time to heal or if its a serious issue and time to see a doctor.  Im rather worried because it's a damper on my life im very concious about it and can no longer go out and have fun like i used to because im thinking about it and its also a issue with the girl i am seeing because it worrys her because we have had sex.  I had a std check the first time it occured about 5 months ago (but it was a minor occurance of the dry skin) and nothing turned up so i thought i was good.  Now that it has returned and seems to be more intense and not really going away its starting to really worry me and I do not know who or where to go see someone about it.  Its kind of a self concious thing to tell someone at a window why im there for im very imbarrassed about it and want to figure out what it is and if it can be fixed by waiting or needing treatment.  Please help me and if i can provide anymore information which i did not include please tell me so i can further help your prognosis.  I have also read some other threads on these type of cases but all have only had sex with one partner where i have had sex with multiple so im wondering if it could be some kind of std.  I am also circumsized so the irritation cant be coming from being uncircumsized.  Please help.

[freakedout123]

i'm really scared i don't know what this is it looks like pimples on my penis and scrotum but only some of them pop and it looks like theres about one hundred little ones under the skin of my penis and i'm not sexually active right know but i'm would like some help.

[mohawkman]

also its never been in a blister form like herpes.  Only redness and swollen from friction i beleive.  Its only right below the head on the shaft and no where else and doesnt seem to spread.  Only gets worse if i continue to add friction (sex, or masterbating).

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

You'll need to see a doctor in person to be sure, but I think what you may have is eczema, not an STD.  Eczema feels "dry" but doesn't respond to moisturizers alone.  Try some 1% hydrocortisone a couple of times a day, but get yourself seen, not just for peace of mind but so you can get a prescription which will make your life a lot more pleasant.

Take care.

Dr. Rockoff