Reddish, puffy, itchy foreskin

[kenlee207]

Hi Dr,

I had unprotected sex 3 yrs ago in 2011. Around a year later 2012 I start to have an itch on my penis shaft (foreskin), the itch was quite bad then after some scratching it will swell and crack with some yellowish liquid coming out and it sticks to my underwear. I didn't have any fevers or any other symptoms.

Currently, I have some itch on my scrotum and anus area and the usual eczema places (Back of knee cap, hands, feet). The itch areas on my scrotum and anus has no bumps... its just itch.

I have Eczema 10 years ago and I still have it. Currently, I still have multiple itchy events throughout the year and I've been applying Betasone Cream on the areas and it will usually subside very quickly in a few hours after I apply the cream. After it subsides, it just a little bit reddish, with no open wounds or anything else.

I would like to add that the swelled up area does not look like blisters or anything with liquid inside. It just puffy (swollen), extremely itchy, reddish and when it recovers its exactly the way it is probably just a little reddish.


1. Could it been the recurring symptoms of Herpes? (as I've also read that Herpes condition can be delayed for years) My first itch on the foreskin started 9 mths after that unprotected sex.

2. If it is Herpes, how long does the itchy sores (swollen area) last?

3. Is it possible that Betasone (Eczema cream -aka as Betamethasone) can help the Herpes sores? (bcos it works for my case)

4. If it is Belanitis, how long does the itchy sores (swollen area) last? My itch usually stops and swelling reduces in the same day i apply Betasone.

Kindly advice pls. Thank you.

[Life360_Dave]

1. about a week
2. only antivirals would aide.
3. if its a fungus youd need some fungal cream otherwise may take a while for your skins pH to get back to normal.
4.yes

[kenlee207]

Hi Life360,

Could you also answer to following questions if possible pls?

1. If it is Herpes, how long does the itchy sores (swollen area) last?

2. Is it possible that Betasone (Eczema cream -aka as Betamethasone) can help the Herpes sores? (bcos it works for my case)

3. If it is Belanitis or fungal infection, how long does the itchy sores (swollen area) last? My itch usually stops and swelling reduces in the same day i apply Betasone.

4. You mentioned that "do not contain yellow puss but would be clear liquid" - does this mean that Herpes blisters produces clear liquid instead of yellow puss?

Thank you once again.

Kindly advice pls. Thank you.

[Life360_Dave]

Hi, your correct that herpes outbreaks could occur a year later and only testing would confirm any issues your having but from what your describing does not herpes related at all. Outbreaks most often occur on the shaft and do not contain yellow puss but would be clear liquid.
You should see a doctor and have this professionally diagnosed for the correct  cream to use. Sounds like a fungal infection.

[kenlee207]

*Its not on the penile shaft,its closer to the foreskin. (I am uncircumcised)