balanitis or yeast infection?

[medhelp111]

Dr. Rockoff,

A few days ago I asked you a question about red skin on my penis after I applied clotrimazole and bethamethazone cream that my physician prescribed to me.  The redness went away as you said it would and in addition the condition improved - the skin is less sticky now (I can now pull back the foreskin easily almost like before - almost non-sticky), not as wrinkled and red and in general looks and feels healthier. It definitely improved. Does that mean it's balanitis or yeast infection? It definitely is not nothing - it did improve. Should I ask my physician to prescribe a weaker cream - like nystatin or else? What would you recommend and how often and how long should I apply it for?

Thank you very much.

[medhelp111]

Thank you Dr. Rockoff again for you answer. How long should I wait? When do you think the condition will improve? The skin is still sticky, redish, penis glans is wrinkled most noticeable after erection.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

I have said it before, and I will say it again--I do not think you currently have balanitis or a yeast infection.  Maybe you did, but you don't anymore.  The fact that it "got better" doesn't mean that you have something--it may just mean that the residual redness left over is fading.  Let it continue to do so.  Active medications will delay things.

Thank you.

Dr. Rockoff