fungal infection on my foreskin

[al111]

i have had this problem for some years now. i am a 32year old african male and uncircumcirsed but very hygenic. i have dry flacky skin on my penis, its itchy only at night when i scratch the skin cracks including my scrotum and anus as well. i have gone through many fungal creams and still no change. i have gone for STD tests including HIV and i don't have any of that stuff i have never had any STD infections in my life. No discharge and no infection in the inner skin of my foreskin or tip of my penis.there is occasional pain in my urethra i once went for a swab and the doctors found no infection there. what could be my problem could this be athletes foot infection that has gone around my body coz my skin is also itchy sometimes???

[al111]

i used a 1% hydrocortisone cream for the scaly itchy patches ontop of my foreskin for 1 week nothing's helped. I want to stress the fact that this infection is not inside my foreskin but outside ontop along my shaft.i have never had a problem with hygene of my uncircumcised foreskin even up to now. My itchy anus i used albendazole chewable tablets but nothing's worked.I will take your advice on seeing a urologist coz i believe i might have an infection that might need some antibiotics.
I just hope they'll find something coz its driving me nuts i have been to many dermatalogist and they all seem quite ignorant. The other thing is could this be an allergy? coz i read once about yeast or lactose allergy. i have never had an allergy test before and i dont know if i'm allergic to anything................

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
I cannot confirm without examination but the symptoms that you are having are due to balanitis of the penis.It is an inflammation of the glans penis.

Oral course of antibiotics is needed.In addition,pls don’t use any cosmetics on the penis,instead use some topical antimicrobials like Bacitracin or Lotrimin.Also corticosteroids and topical immunosuppressants can be used but they are available under prescription. Also retract the foreskin daily and soak in warm water to clean penis and foreskin.In case the symptoms persist then pls consult a urologist/dermatologist for evaluation and antimicrobials and steroids prescription.

I hope it helps.Take care and pls do keep me posted on how you are doing or if you have any additional doubts.Kind regards.