Small, raised, red, circular patch on foreskin

[statcall]

Hello, thanks you for taking the time to peruse my question.

For the past couple of weeks I have had a small, slightly raised, red patch of skin on the underside of my foreskin near the tip. It doesn't seem to be blistering or peeling as I have been treating it with vitamin e ointment (which i apply to my glands after every shower as to facilitate movement of my glands in my foreskin and lesson the development of wrinkles as the glands grow and shrink through the day).

I masturbate regularly and usually use a natural/non-irritating cream or ointment and have never seen something like this before.

The vitamin e seems to just keep the red patch moist and shiny and doesn't seem to be healing it.

I do have some cortisone .5%/canesten mixed cream but am so paranoid about applying steroid cream on such thin skin as it is and then getting under the foreskin and sitting there covered for a period of time.

I also have a patch on my left thigh, this one is dry and will scab and fall off, above my pelvic bone that I am treating with that cortisone and it seems to be shrinking, getting better. This one stated out small and got larger.

I am a picker (OCD) and have little small patches of dryness from what I have picked on my body. Yet, usually they would just heal, now the pick marks seem to turn into dry spots that take longer to heal. I have no idea why this has started to happen.

I am not sexually active with other people, have super hygiene (OCD :P), don't own any pets yet I do take care of my parents dog when they travel but my parents don't have any of these skin problems.

Im thinking irritation, but then why is it so localized?

Any information would be fantastic, and if it sounds like it needs some sort of prescription cream or ointment please let me know! Im hoping its just irritation and should probably give my foreskin a break for a week or so.

I work in a pediatric hospital as a cleaner (discharges), in the ER and am paranoid I picked up something while working.

[statcall]

I have continued to apply the cortisone creme after I shower and it is starting to fade and is no longer raised, yet still a bit shiny and red; almost slightly tighter then the surrounding skin. It has not gotten smaller or spread in size or scabbed.

Should I stop applying the cortisone now then and see if it goes away and apply a non-irratent moisturizer (Curel/ceramide)? As the thinning of the skin is what I was afraid of with the cortisone.

Also, would the vitamin e ointment I use on my penis be slowing down the healing process as it somewhat creates a barrier? And is it bad to use that on a daily basis like I have been?

Again thanks for your time Dr. Kaur!

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,

You should apply the topical steroids only for a few days as they have side effects like thinning of the skin when used for long periods of time. You can consult your doctor and use it under his or her guidance.

I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.

[statcall]

Hello, thanks for the response Dr, Kaur!

I have been applying the cortisone .5%/cansesten and it seems to be fading. How long  should I be applying this? Should I continue to apply it after it fades for a few days?

Thanks!

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
This patch can be due to contact dermatitis, rash due to friction rub with clothes, dermatitis (atopic, contact, allergic),excessive sweating causing sweat dermatitis or balanitis(due to an underlying infection (bacterial and fungal as well as other organisms).

You may try calamine lotion on the rash. You should also maintain hygiene and try to keep the area clean and dry, wear loose-fitting cotton clothing. Also use an antibacterial soap or mild soap like dove. Avoid any kind of cosmetics. You can also use a barrier cream with zinc oxide paste or calamine lotion or a mild steroid cream on the rash.

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.