Penis Rash - Recurrent

[Healthquester]

For about a year I have had a rash that continues to show up on my glans penis.  It is a very strange red rash that used to sort of concentrate around the Urethra but now seems to have generalized around the the glans.  It used to hardly ever be visable until after sex when a subtle red rash would appear.(a year ago, and sometimes it mostly goes away to this point)  Now the red rash is visable all the time and after any friction it is very apparent.   I have searched images on the internet endlessly to identify this and the closest thing I found was psoriasis.  The rash gets much more apparent after any friction – including sex, masturbation, or just clothes rubbing at night, sometimes I get an erection in the morning because I have to pee and that seems to really make it worse.  It doesn’t itch it’s more of a burning or pinching type of sensation.  Sometimes it seems to go into the Urethra but I’m not sure.(seems like it used to but lately it’s been a mild rash on the glans.  It will almost go away at times but as soon as a friction even occurs it comes back.  I feel like maybe there is some scar tissue building or something as it almost seems like very small skin tags are developing.  I have been dealing with this for over a year, initially it wasn’t bad but seemed to be concentrated near the Urethra.   I tried some pretty radical self prescribed treatments like cleaning with Betadine, because I thought it was a fungal or bacterial infection.  I have also tried Monistat(which made it worse)  Protopic(which I think may help a little) and recently I’ve applied a vitamin D cream which also seemed to provide some relief.    I’m concerned that I misdiagnosed and complicated the problem.  I do have HSV2 but I don’t think this is related as that looks much different and affects a different area, but it did come about shortly after the HSV2, possibly because my initial response to the HSV2 infection was to cleanse the area vigorously with things like Betadine(and Dynimaclear which has some sort of sulfur compound) as I thought it was a microbiological infection.   I do have a history of psoriasis in my family but I have not shown any symptoms that I know of.  I thought maybe HPV as I have been dating women from Herpes dating sites, and it's pretty common for some to have HPV as well.

I have never had any discharge from my urethra, but sometimes it looks red inside and I think I can see a little sore in there.  Mostly the problem is on the head of the penis but there has never been anything on the shaft.  My HSV2 outbreaks however have been on the shaft and never on the glans.  Any theories would be appreciated.

[mhseelz]

I read about this constantly and I'm convinced it is Lichen Planus or Lichen Nitidus, or possibly both as Planus sometimes appears with Nitidus and imitates it. Either way go ask your doctor about that and ask him for topical Tacrolimus (Protopic). I have read several reports of this being an effective treatment for both.

[mhseelz]

I have had this for about a year now, my case is more mild than healthquesters but I have not been very sexually active, however, the times that I have had sex it get's pretty red. I also have what I'm pretty sure is fordyce spots, and my doctor said that while it unusual to have them on your glans it is possible.. I thought it was this until the rash became more evident. Lichen Planus seems to me like the most likely.. psoriasis is a possibility but I have never had it before, it does not run in the family, and why the papules?

Can anybody direct me to a forum where people actively discuss this?

[abzk]

I've had this for about 3.5 years now.  The following outlines the situation:

1) Saw three doctors in Chicago, including a North Western specialist.  Results = inconclusive
2) Saw a doctor in Beverly Hills after I moved to LA two years ago.  He performed a biopsy but it only showed a build up of skin.  No treatable condition.  He said it's probably psoriasis but I have no family history or skin problems anywhere else.  That's where it's left off.
3) I've tried lots of remedies (neem oil, DMSO, anti-yeast, anti-fungal, cortisone, neosporin, lotions, and several prescription creams).  Results = not much.  Nothing really helps.

I too have herpes but I've had that for 12 years.  This just started 3.5 years ago.  I don't have an answer to this but I'm continually trying.  I've seen several other forums out there and all of them are similar to this one, inconclusive.  Right now all we can do is manage the situation in terms of symptoms and continue to seek answers.  

Good luck to all

[Timmyleee]

Does anyone have any answers for this yet??? man...  just wanna go back to normal,  had it for 3 motnhs now,  any info would be realy helpful

[dumbguy90]

I have the same symptoms, Ive posted on the herpes board, thats what I think I have - but I have never been tested. It gets me nervous that two people on this thread have hsv2 - could this condition be a result of the virus????

[people17]

Im experiencing the same problem at this moment..sincerely hoping a solution to cure this condition..as what u suspect, lichen planus or psoriasis maybe more possible i think..any dermatology please give a clue..thankyou very much.