Penile Eczema

[JB54321]

Hello, I'm 18 years old and about 4 months ago I had sex with a girl and the condom broke. I immediately had a shower afterward and tried to prevent anything. A few days after I went to the the clinic because I noticed like splochy red marks on the head and foreskin of my penis. I was check out and told it was a yeast infection, std tests were done as well and all came back negative. I used the Canesten cream proscribed for about 10 days and then stopped as it said. At that point I thought all was well until I saw what looked like a small open sore on the head on the glands. It never hurt or wept or crusted over or looked anything like the herpes pictures I could find online and by the time I got back into the clinic (about 2-3 days after) the "sore" was completely gone but some of the glans still appeared red and cracked, they also reswabed for herpes. I kept using the cream just in case it was just a persistent yeast infection and when I came back to get the results (which were negative again) I was told the red cracked and mildly scaly appearance was more than likely eczema. I was told to use a moisturizer until it went away. For the first month after I used 2 different type of moisturizers (one all natural and the other was lubriderm) but it didn't seem to make any difference. I took another month off wondering if it was all the creams I was adding that was doing it in the first place but it hasn't cleared up yet. I'm starting to go back on the natural cream again because it is looking more red than usual again now. It is never painful, sometimes a very slight itch but never has any other effects. Dealing with the emotional problems of this for the last few months though has been unbearable and just want to be over this. The fact that is hasn't fully gone away is starting to worry me again and I haven't been able to have real relations with anyone since this happened. Any help about this would be greatly appreciated -thanks        

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
It is better to get KOH examination of the skin scrapings to confirm whether it is a fungal infection. A biopsy skin can also be done to rule out eczema and atopic dermatitis. There are certain other non-pharmacological measures which are equally important in treating atopic dermatitis. These are avoiding harsh soaps and cleansers, preventing scratching or rubbing whenever possible, protecting skin from excessive moisture, irritants, and rough clothing, maintaining a cool, stable temperature and consistent humidity levels, limiting exposure to dust, cigarette smoke, pollens, and animal dander & Recognizing and limiting emotional stress.

Apart from that please get an evaluation done from a dermatologist to confirm the diagnosis as treatment is specific for each.

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.

[MeggieMae]

I don't know about eczema on a penis as I am a girl but I do have recurring eczema on my fingers that can get really bad and I can tell you some of the things I do for that. Eczema and moisture don't get along so try and keep yourself as dry as possible. Also with mine my doctor had told me to apply cream before bed and then wear a glove overy hand while I slept to allow cream to do it's work without just evaporating off. I'm sure maybe you can rig something up to do that, and it may help. Also vitamen e is very good for your skin, i I I either take the capsules or puncture the oil ones and apply it directly to the skin. Also aloe Vera, the actual plant where you break off a stem an use the inside on the skin.
You are very lucky it is not bothering you as much as eczema can. I'm not sure how much this will help with that body part but just be glad it isn't an STD. And remembering this is just advice, I am not a doctor.