penis rash & dry skin

[Jzr]

I have suffered from eczema since i was much younger, it however cleared up towards my teen years and i now suffer from it nowhere near as badly - and only in winter time when the weather is more damp than usual only in very small areas or patches.

In the damper weather this year (starting a few weeks ago) i have developed some kind of rash on my penis which i have never had before, i am circumcised and it started just below the head of my penis area, it got very red, raw, sore and sensitive after showering and during the day which was very uncomfortable.

I tried some eczema moisturising cream with no success - if anything it made it worse. Also having no releif from itch during the night would mean i would scratch/rub my skin in my sleep for releif as it would wake me up at night.

I went to the chemist and got some 0.5% hydrocortisone cream, within a few days it had almost completely cleared up from that area. I then seemed to get it on the sides of my shaft, then top (the skin would go very dry and peel) and then on the base of my penis / scrotum but never in these areas all at once - one area would clear in a few days another would appear. Applying the cream almost completely got rid of my problems but my skin is still not completely clear.

I am wondering if it's worth me trying a 1% hydrocortisone cream as i would suspect this is eczema?

Also - i am getting inflamed hair follicles occasionally in random areas on my body (not sure if this is related) just a couple on my leg, one on my finger and also lower leg.

Any help much appreciated!

[ADD12]

Hi I am having an extremely itchy penis rite now almost everywhere on my penis and I cannot handle it. I put ivory soap on it plus after I put on cetaphil advice would be nice

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
From the symptoms it sounds like eczema. Eczema is a form of chronic dermatitis (rash).Allergic reaction is one of the important causes of eczema.

Wash the areas several times with fresh water. Do not use any cosmetic products at the sites. You can apply some calamine lotion at the rash as it will help in soothing the skin. You can take some OTC oral antihistamine medications like Benadryl or Claritin and see if it helps.

For mild-moderate eczema a weak steroid may be used (e.g. hydrocortisone as dermacort), whilst more severe cases require a higher-potency steroid (e.g. clobetasol propionate, fluocinonide) but use them after a dermatologist’s prescription.Eczema can be exacerbated by dryness of the skin. Use good quality moisturizers to prevent moisture loss from the skin.

If still the symptoms do not improve then please get a clinical examination done by a dermatologist.
I hope it helps.Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing or if you have any additional doubts.Kind regards.