Itchy penis

[BBHelp84]

Dear Doc

As you may realise from my prior post, I am a bit of a hypochondriac! I spent many years with irrational fears of HIV but with proper education I resolved my issues. Now it seems I am stressing about all the other potential STDS!

My history - I am a 26 year old gay man and I have been in back to back relationships for the past 3 months (2 in total). My last relationship all we did was mutual masturbation and unprotected oral sex on each other. The same for my current relationship.

Today i noticed that my penis was rather itchy and when I pulled my foreskin back, saw a red rash with tiny bumps on a small area of my glans and on the exposed part of the shaft (which usually lies under the foreskin). Immediatley i thought of herpes. My partner in the previous relationship said he suffered from cold sores but I never saw any sores when we kissed him or  had oral sex. I also read that herpes should show between 10 -14 days post exposure so the timing is off in both relationships (oral sex with ex boyfriend 1 last happened 5 weeks ago and with new boyfriend, 3 days). Also no discharge or large sores etc.

So as you can see, I'm confused/not educated enough about these STD's which is causing quite a bit of anxiety in my life.

So perhaps you could help with the following:

1. How long after exposure do sysmtems present themselves in STD's (discharges, sores, etc)
2. Can friction irratation presnt itself 3 days after oral sex & masturbation?
3. I know oral sex is considered low risk, so can one continue to practice oral and mutual masturbation with their partner and not hyper-ventilate at the sight of a red mark on one's penis :) - I also feel this is all I'm willing to do in a new gay relationship until the time we can both have HIV tests before anal sex (because condoms do break)
4. If i do indeed have herpes, how long does the itchy skin take to develop the blisters

I'm just very confused.......

[BBHelp84]

Thanks for all your help Doctor....

[Edward W Hook, MD]

There are VERY rare istances in which fungal infections can be spread through sexual contact but not through mutual masturbation.  You are correct that this occcurs most often with vaginal intercourse.  I would not worry about your balanitis having been acquired through your encounters, nor worry about transmission to others.   EWH

[BBHelp84]

Hi Doc,

Thought I'd post an update. I went to an STD clinic and it turns out its Balanitis.I was relieved because this new relationship I'm in is going well and and STD would have been rather embarrassing :)

I've been applying a prescribed cream for about 11 days and while the raised bumps and itch are gone, my penis head is still slightly blotchy around the edge and looks a little dry - but been told to give it 2 weeks to clear.

I was however wondering if yeast infections of the penis or balanitis can spread via male to male oral sex or mutual masturbation? Some information I have read says yes but this is between vaginal sex.

Thanks

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Welcome back to the Forum.  One challenge in assessing STDs and STD risk is that when persons are concerned they start to scrutinize themselves with an intensity that they did not use in the past.  As a result, things that would go un-noticed suddenly are noticed and people become aware of sensations that they might well ignore in other situations.   Searching for answers on the internet tends to make things worse, not better.  The best way to get possible rashes, lesions and other abnormalities evaluated is by having someone trained and experienced take a look.  for me to try to identify things over the internet is not in your best interest.  I would suggest you go to your local STD clinic and have someone take a look. The practioners in most STD Clinics are expert in what they do and provide highly confidential, expert service.  With that as background, let me address your questions:

1.  The onset of symptoms vary from disease to disease.  There are not STDs that have the onset of symptoms in the first day or two following exposure.  Most do present within a week of exposure but a few, like syphilis or genital warts can take several weeks to appear.

2.  No, the friction of rubbing and masturbation typically appear become apparent within 24 hours of the event.  Often they occur almost immediately but can get worse over a day or two.

3.  I think this makes good sense.

4.  The lesions would form blisters in a day or two. the process tends to evolve quite quickly.  

I hope these comments are helpful. EWH