Red patch on Penis

[conernmale]

Question.

For the past week, I have notice a patch of redness on the base of my penis (head) to some degree from one end to the other and slightly below one corner of the head. I notice it more in the mornings when I wake up but later during the day I have been monitoring it and it dies down considerably almost unnoticeable.  It does not itch,there are no blisters, and when I touch it I don't feel pain.  FYI I am uncut. One more thing, I have been doing some research on herpes but all the information I retrieve seems to be too general nothing specific. I am very concern what this could be, herpes? Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

[Samond]

I am 21 years old and ever sence I had my first child 2 years ago I have had red patches of skin on my chest and now on my arms.  They aren't very noticeable and seem to only apear when I am hot.  I am pregnant with my second child and due next week.  The red patches don't hurt or itch.  They feel the same as the rest of the skin.  They are small in size, most the size of a pea.  They are not raised from the rest of the skin, they don't peel or anything like that.  It is just like regular skin, but red when I get hot.  Could this be some kind of fungus or something worse?

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Herpes produces blisters, which last 7-10 days, go away, and come back at some point.  This doesn't sound like what you have.   Redness always looks more red when the skin is warm (such as after a shower, or in the morning.)  I advise you not to rub or examine the spot and show a doctor for definitive diagnosis.

Take care.

Dr. Rockoff