Red Spot on Penis

[concerned12377]

Approximately 4 days ago my wife and I (we've been married 5 years, no reason to think theres been extramarital stuff) had sex. Right after we finished we went to clean up and I noticed a red blotch on the rim of the head of my penis. Its probably about 5 mm wide and I hadn't noticed it until this point. No blister or anything have developed and here isn't any pain really. Is it possible the skin got strained or irritated during the sex? I'm worried this is some type of STD. Any advice or insight would be greatly appreciated.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Herpes is definitely NOT "the only thing that could cause something like this."  Anything that significantly damages the skin -- a physical injury, for example -- will result in a scab.  Based on all the information so far, I continue to doubt this is herpes.

But why are you wasting your time here?  It is a big mistake for you to be trying to sort this out by searching on line or asking about it on this or any other forum.  See a doctor or clinic, for goodness' sake!  You may have already delayed too long -- the longer you wait, the less likely it will be possible to make an accurate diagnosis.  See someone today.  Report the outcome after you have done that.  But until you do that, I cannot help and won't have any other advice.

[concerned12377]

Sir I am sorry to bother you again but I'm extremely nervous and anxious. The red dot turned into a tiny scab. To give you a quick series of what happend. After sex with my wife I noticed red patch on penis head rim about 5mm by 5mm. The redness seemed to get lighter and sometimes redder. After 4 or 5 days a red dot appeared in center of red area. Has now turned into a scab about the size of a ball point pen maybe smaller. Never saw a blister and never seemed to be an open sore almost seemed like red dot was under skin and came to surface as scab. Not really any pain through out just some irritation from time to time. My wife swears she hasn't strayed and I don't have a reason to doubt her just my worries that this is herpes. But I feel as if herpes is the only thing that could cause something like this.

[concerned12377]

Sorry should have proof read. It has NOW turned into a scab

[concerned12377]

Sir I am sorry to bother you again but I'm extremely nervous and anxious. The red dot turned into a tiny scab. To give you a quick series of what happend. After sex with my wife I noticed red patch on penis head rim about 5mm by 5mm. The redness seemed to get lighter and sometimes redder. After 4 or 5 days a red dot appeared in center of red area. Has not turned into a scab about the size of a ball point pen maybe smaller. Never saw a blister and never seemed to be an open sore almost seemed like red dot was under skin and came to surface as scab. Not really any pain through out just some irritation from time to time. My wife swears she hasn't strayed and I don't have a reason to doubt her just my worries that this is herpes. But I feel as if herpes is the only thing that could cause something like this.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

This would be a very atypical herpes presentation and I very much doubt that is what you have.  Beyond that, I really can't help.  Please follow my advice above to seek professional medical attention, preferably from a dermatologist.

[concerned12377]

Sir this red area now has a small very red spot in the center. I can't really tell if it's open. I never saw a blister and I've been checking it often. Does this change anything. I'm very worried it could be herpes.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

I'm glad to have helped.  Happy holidays.

[concerned12377]

Thank you for your help Sir, it is much appreciated.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

OK, thanks for the additional information.

I'm very confident this isn't an STD.  All I can do is guess at other cuases.  Lichen planus comes to mind; some other minor fungal infection; psoriasis, if you have it elsewhere on the body; or any of many other conditions.  If it persists, see your doctor or maybe a dermatologist.  But don't worry in the meantime.  For sure no STD, and almost certainly nothing serious.  Don't get freaked just because it's your penis; this isn't any bigger deal than if it happened to involve your forearm, abdomen, or anywhere else.

[concerned12377]

I am circumcised and it appears to be just red skin, not inflamed. The redness has persisted, it is not as bright as when i first noticed it. If i touch or rub it it doesn't hurt but it does get more red. It isn't hard but the skin in that spot is harder than the rest of the skin on the rim. When I am just going about my day I feel like I can notice some slight irritation feeling but also think that it may be because I am so focus and worried about it.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

And are you circumcised?

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Welcome to the forum.  Thanks for your question.

No STD is likely cause anything like this.  Among all causes of genital skin problems, STDs are the least common -- and of course an STD is nearly impossible if it is true that neither you nor your wife has had other partners recently.

But tell me a bit more about the red area.  Has it persisted?  Does it appear inflamed, i.e. an actual rash?  Is it tender?  Or just discolored skin?  Has it persisted, or did it disappear soon after you saw it?  If it has persisted, has it changed in appearance over the past 4 days?  Do you have any skin conditions other than your penis?

Cheers--  HHH, MD