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Hydrocortisone cream 1% used on penis glans. Now thinned skin.

Will my penis glans skin recover after using hydrocortisone 1% cream? I began using this cream in February 15 for about 5 days. Then I stopped and had sexual intercourse.  Everything seemed fine but I got redness so started using it again for about a week. All was fine again. Then masturbated and the skin not my foreskin must of rubbed on residue that was there. This was about a week later after having used it. It seemed that 3 quarters of my glans went a blood red colour. I guess the skin was starting to thin.  I masturbated a few more times over the week and my penis glans skin began to go dry and crack.  On once occasion a dot of blood appeared. I couldn't understand what was going on.

It was sore and painful but a man has needs. When I masturbated I kept the skin retracted (I am uncircumcised ). This stopped any friction. I then tried to stay away from sex and masturbating.  However a man does have needs so if I did I used a lube. So as not to affect any healing process. So. So far I had used cortisone 1% on and off for roughly two weeks I guess. I'd decided enough was enough. The skin was becoming wrinkly and transparent when my penis was soft when I started to masturbate.  When erect I noticed that some capillaries were showing at the Base of the head. Also it has a shiny , waxy appearance and could be red in one place.  Anyway. Through pure stupidity I decided to use the cream for one more week. Only applying it where the redness was and rubbing it in.

I read some more stuff online and thought. Wow. Enough of this poison. So stopped using it and won't use any steroid cream again. So. At the moment I have a prison glans that can have a blotchy appearance and the skin can look at little loose . If I start to masturbate i first see transparent wring skin then the whole glans looks dry. I then get out the lube to stop any damage and the reappearance of cracked skin. This helps me greatly. When erect my penis has red blood capillaries visible at the Base of the glans. Also the skin is waxy /shiny .

Can anyone tell me if all the symptoms will disappear with time. And what sort of a time scale am I looking st for a full recovery ? Or am I stuck with these side effects. All good , honest advice appreciated.  

Anyone given steroid creams for something similar I suggest you do not use. All in all I guess I used this cream for 5 days,  then had a few days break. Then used them again for 7 days. Then a break for a couple or few weeks. I'd used it liberally for those 12 days. Didn't realise what I was doing. After the 2 to 3 weeks break only using occasionally I then decided to try to fix it by using it for one more week. Applied twice a day and only a small amount and where it was originally needed. Was used in conjunction with an anti fungal cream.  

Anyway. I've stopped using it now. And has cut down on masturbation and if I do I use a lube. Which helps greatly. So my question is. Will my penis skin return to normal. And how long will it take.  Or am I stuck with this affliction for the rest of my life. Thanks.  
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Avatar universal
PLEASE READ - I had this exact issue and i read this forum, which sent me into a panic of course.  I had what I believe was a reaction to latex.  I had a red penis head with a tingly sensation.  Diagnosed by my primary as contact dermatitis.  I used over the counter cortisone for about 10 days and had a shiny, leather like, wrinkly penis head and foreskin.  After reading this post I thought it was permanent and caused by the over the counter 1% cortisone, which was prescribed by my primary physician.  I went to see my Dermatologist.  She said she sees this all of the time.  The shiny, leather like wrinkles is actually the rash which hasn't completely gone away.  I told her about this post and my concern.  She said that over the counter cortisone is not strong enough to cause thinning of the skin.  She prescribed even stronger cortisone 2.5% and promises I am fine.  She told me to use it for up to 10 days but feels it will be gone in about 3.  Today is day 3 and she was CORRECT!  It is 90% gone.  The leather like skin actually peeled away and my normal shin feel is coming back.  Don't let this thread scare you, go see a Dermatologist, it will all be OK.  I know the feeling so good luck guys.  
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Avatar universal
People ever seem to finish their progress when they've had an issue like this. So I'm determined to keep this report going for as long as it takes.  The skin has repaired itself well and has thickened but it isn't quite there yet. I use a water based lubricant when masturbating and this has helped it heal. All I'm waiting for now is the skin to rethicken so I don't keep getting thrush.  And also the capillaries to disappear . This will happen  with time I'm sure. The red shininess I had when I first had the problem has gone. A sure sign skin is thickening and returning to normal.  Next post will be soon. Keep strong.
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Avatar universal
Any updates by anyone in this thread?
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Avatar universal
Hey, I ended up with 2 red leather lines (seems like skin is peeled off but never recover) after using 1% hydrocortison with miconidazole for 7 days 2x per week because dermstologist thought i had Balanitis exactly next to urethra opening. What ever else i put on for example coconut oil it burns and the skin especially there gets swollen and dry cracked. I have this for 3 months now. After 2 weeks without putting anything there, there is no burn sensation but i have a weird feeling down there not sure how to describe it (sometimes is like pain and sometimes like itching but very mild). My urologist suggested to do circumcision but im worried a little bit to be honest. Im 27 years old and never had this pain before but i was never clean under foreskin tbh. All started after i went to dermatologist to remove some pimbles under foreskin. He burnt those with laser and then spray to whole area antiseptic. After that he told be to spray a little bit 2x a day just to keep clean the area until healing. After that i had a very painful feeling and i thought my glans was on fire but stupidly i continue to use for 3-4 days. Then i stopped everything for 2 weeks but the burning feeling was there. I went to a new derma and said to him the situation and he was prescribed me hydrocortison and miconazole as i said above. After that the burning sensation was there and after using that cream those scars were developed. Now im much better but as i said i have this weird sensation almost every day
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I think the skin is thin and due to friction it gets irritated because when i feel pain i see there like little scratches where those lines are. I dont know what to do anymore. Im desperate because i think my sexual life is over as im afraid to do anything. Although with masturbation i dont feel any difference. I have an appointment with plastic surgeon just to tell him the story and to hear his opinion. Lets hope it goes away by time
Avatar universal
Hi Splodge13,

I know this thread is in regards to damage from Hydrocortizone cream but I wanted to see if you had any advice for a similar situation I am dealing with. About 7 1/2 months ago, I applied Apple Cider Vinegar to my glans because I was mi-diagnosed w/Genital Warts when my dermatologist confirmed they were really Pearly Penile Papules. The result was some damage to the glans; on small patch of skin that was burned and is now very slightly indented and another spot below it that is a bit red. I have tried Manuka Honey and, most recently for 4 months, an essential oil blend of 5% Helichrysum in a base of cold pressed Rose Hip Seed Oil. It's hard to tell if there has been any progress. Some days I think there is and others I don't think it's done any good.

In regards to skin thickening on the glans, what would you recommend in the case of a burn from Apple Cider Vinegar as opposed to your situation with the Hydrocortizone cream? Is my case at all similar to yours? The main thing I am trying to do is regrow or regenerate the skin over the small patch. This path is a bit paler/whiter than the surrounding area. It does look like a small square and just a little below the surrounding skin, but not much.

Can you please help me??? This is driving me crazy. I have to improve this. Will the skin gradually grow back in time, even if it takes years?

Thanks so much and I look forward to your response. I hope your condition continues to improve.
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Avatar universal
Hi Splodge, I have a similar issue to yours. The original event was different but I think the result is more or less the same. Several years ago (almost 8) I masturbated using hand soap and I didn't wash it off. The same night the skin of the glans and of the foreskin were extremely dry and red.
Basically the hand soap "burned" the first layer of mucosal tissue, and I ended up with an atrophy, really similar to the ones given by hydrocortisone/steroids.

I can tell you that the condition of my mucosal tissue (glans and foreskin) improved with time but never returned to its original state. I tried countless creams and dermat. visits but they didn't help much. The situation is not so bad (my symptoms are very similar to yours) but still I would like to get back to my original healthy skin.

HOWEVER, hope is not lost: through research i found 2 things that could help our cases to give an additional recovery boost

1)This lotion has been developed by a Japanese Dermatologist who specialised in steroid induced atrophy, and it is meant to help the skin rethicken! I already contacted them and they said it is also suitable for the penile skin. You can check on their website and order it https://drfukaya.ocnk.net/

2)There is a treatment called PRP that basically uses your own blood but treat it in order to have potentiated cell-growth factors that have the ability to repair tissues.
In my country (Italy) a doctor is using this procedure to treat patients suffering from Lichen sclerosus, which is a chronic inflammatory condition on the genitals (both male and female).
The treatment is very safe and simple and it is having very promising results: I read many good experiences of people who had great improvements in their conditions!
The interesting thing is that PRP acts in 2 ways for people with Lichen Sclerosus: It has an anti-inflammatory effect AND it reverse the atrophy of the mucosal caused by the disease itself and by the steroid creams used by patients (steroid/cortisone is one of the first line treatments for Lichen Sclerosus). I already spoke with this doctor and he said that PRP can be helpful also for anyone having just a damaged mucosal tissue with skin atrophy, Actually it could work even better on us who only have damages but not any disease!
You can check if in your country there are doctors performing PRP, it is becoming a very popular procedure, maybe they are not doing it on the penis but it is safe also there.

Hope this helps!

Cheers guys, let's take back what was ours, there's always a way
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I used the Dr. Fukaya lotion and overnight it really messed up my skin. Two months later it's still much drier than it was and easily gets red. I don't think it's suitable enough for that kind of skin.
Hi Sphero, I can partially confirm what you say. The Fukaya Lotion did irritate my skin, not too much, after using it for some time. However after some days, things got back to normal. With normal I mean to the situation before I applied the lotion. So no improvements, but not even worsenings in my case.

I will try the PRP treatment further this year and let you know.

As I read in what you posted above it's also true that when you reach a point in which there are no problem in sex, you are ok, even if the looks is not like the same.
And this can be reach with giving the skin time to heal itself, because many of the cosmetic creams are causing more irritation in a delicate and more vulnerable part.

With the PRP it's a different game because they are using your own blood. As I said, I will let you all know after I undergo that.
If you are interested, you can search for doctors (usually they are Plastic Surgeons or Dermatologists) that perform it in your countries. It is a procedure that is having more and more application in different fields as for example rehabilitation therapy and also in recovering from burns or scars.
undicidieci,

I posted a comment below and I wanted to just say I am suffering from a similar situation as you. I burned the skin on my glans from apple cider vinegar. It is very shallow but you can see the outline which looks like a little square. My dermatologist says, however, that it is not indented or atrophic, which I took as good news. But it still looks like it's a bit lower than the surrounding skin and like I said, the lines that form a square border are troubling. I would really like to improve this! The inside of the area is hypopigmentation according to my dermatologist, also. I have tried Helichrysum essential oil and rose hip oil, but not much improvement. I have read that unrefined coconut oil can be very helpful because it's all natural, but I wonder if that would just moisturize?

Since we have similar conditions, do you have any other recommendations? If the PRP works, I would be interested in hearing more about that. How big of an area are you dealing with? How long have you been suffering from this and have you seen much improvement by just letting it heal naturally?

Thanks so much!
Avatar universal
Guys, an update from me. I went to a dermatologist a couple of months ago and she prescribed me a drug called Piascledine (containing avocado oils) for 2 months and apart from the cream Banival I was already using, also Terproline EGF (Epidermal Growth Factor). I am drinking collagen sometimes, but the doctor said she is not sure if it reaches there where it is needed (I guess because of not too much research on the collagen supplements for skin, but still collagen doesn't really have any side effects, as far as I know).
Based on research on the internet before, I have found that protopic (tacrolimus) and ammonium lactate might cause thickening of the skin and the doctor confirmed that this is possible (it is actually a side effect of protopic), but since there are other potential side effects, she didn't prescribe those to me. Anyway, I can see an improvement from where I was before, so the healing process is ongoing.
I also occasionally get redness, but I don't see a correlation with friction, it just shows for a day and then later on disappears. I suppose that is because the capillaries are messed up by the corticosteroid (betamethasone) and based on what I read about it, it would take quite some time to go back to normal.
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SpheroD2,

Did you dermatologist confirm that Terproline EGF is safe for penile skin, specifically the glans? I have a burn that cause a slightly indented square area I am trying to regenerate. I have tried essential oils(Helichrysum and Rose Hip Seed oil), but have not seen a lot of improvement. There is some hyper-pigmentation too I would like to correct.

I am very nervous about applying creams designed for the face to the penis skin. You are seeing improvement? Where exactly are the areas you are applying these creams to?

Thanks so much for your help!
My dermatologist prescribed it for penile skin and I didn't have any problems while using it. However, I don't think your problem has anything to do with the thinning caused by corticosteroids. My advice is if you don't have any problems when having sex, leave it alone, otherwise trying too hard to fix a cosmetic issue might make things worse.
SpheroD2,

Apologies for not responding sooner as I just saw your comment today. I don't have any problems having sex as I can get erections normally and there is no pain or any other problems. My issue seems to be purely cosmetic as this point. However, I am still GREATLY bothered by this as the area gets bigger during an erection and is unsightly. I would VERY MUCH like to improve this by possibly thickening up the skin over this area. Do you think that the Terproline EGF and/or Piascledine could possibly do this? Even though our injuries were caused by different things, do you think the treatment could be similar?

I appreciate you mentioning the fact that it's just cosmetic and trying to fix it may make it worse, but this is still causing me great distress and anxiety. I have an appointment w/my dermatologist who 6 months ago said there was nothing he could really do. I was wondering if mentioning these drugs/creams to him that you are using would be beneficial? Did these actually thicken your skin? Do you see a big difference between thinking of the skin from corticosteroids vs. skin erosion from an acetic acid burn? I haven't lost much skin but you can notice the outline around the area and the skin inside that area is slightly paler.

Any further advice you can offer is VERY greatly appreciated! Thanks again and I hope your condition is improving!
So do you think that by leaving it alone, my issue could improve and correct itself over time? Even a marginal improvement would be better than nothing. The acetic acid burn not only ate away at some of the surface skin but also created what appears to be hyper-pigmentation underneath it. These marks have been there for about 8 months.
mgr2019,
As far as I know the thinning caused by corticosteroids happens under the skin surface and is not always clearly visible and doesn't looked like burned or smth like that. Injuries like having burned or dried out the skin on the surface are different in my opinion. Why do you think the skin is thinner, probably it's not. That is why I can't tell you if using the cream/drug would be appropriate for your case, especially the drug which is under prescription, but of course you can discuss it with the dermatologist. In my case, I had great improvement: six months ago the doctor saw an issue, now she said the skin is almost fine, even if visually and in terms of surface to me it's still different. That was the proof for me that we can easily start thinking the wrong thing, while the situation is actually much better and not see the small and slow improvements over time
And yes, I think that if you leave it alone it will improve, our bodies heal naturally, of course it's good if you help it by taking good care of it, moisturizing the skin, having a healthy diet and lifestyle, maybe some skin supplements, etc...
I'm glad to hear that your condition has improved over the last 6 months. And yes, I think you are right that our conditions are different. Again, I applied un-dluted apple cider vinegar to the glans for a couple of days. Very stupid and I soooo wish I would have thought this through more. There was never anything wrong with the area. I was just over-reacting. What happened was it ate into the skin of the glans a bit and now there is an area that has a square like boarder where the skin is slightly lower. It basically looks like lines in the shape of a square and inside, the skin is a bit paler. It looks the worst during an erection. That is why I was hoping a product like Terproline EGF would help re-build the epidermis and possibly re-grow some of the skin which was damaged or eaten away. It's not really deep. But I'm not sure if the EGF will do that. I was hopeful that the essential oils which I am using, which purportedly help produce collagen and have molecules small enough to penetrate the skin, would boost skin renewal/regeneration. But I'm not sure that a collagen supplement will do that much or just improve the elasticity of the skin . . . I want this fixed soooo bad. . . . And hopefully you right; in time, I am hoping to see a little improvement. Does this really sound like something that will heal naturally over time? What sort of supplements would you suggest for this? Thanks again for all of your advice!!!
I mentioned in my other post regarding supplements: collagen, Perfectil and omega 3-6-9 probably. Regarding Terproline, it might help, but check it with your doctor first.
Thanks. I am applying omega 3-6-9 in for form of RoseHip Seed Oil, but I have not seen any improvement w/the hyperpigmentation, which is suppose to be one of RoseHip Seed Oil's many strengths. I will ask my dermatoligist about Terproline® EGF but he is probably going to say just leave it alone. I have to improve this, though. I can't live with it like this forever. Know what I mean?
And the one thing I can't understand about collagen is; Helichrysum is suppose to increase collagen production 6 fold and one of it's strengths is that it has molecules small enough that can get through the skin into the bloodstream. So I don't know why I am not seeing any improvement. Unless, like you said earlier, there has been improvement over the last few months but seeing I look at it many times a day, I don't notice it.
Hi SpheroD2,

A recent development of my condition is that my dermatologist says the may area I am concerned with is NOT atrophic/indented but just hypopigmentation. He said there is not much he can do for it but a laser treatment, which I don't want to do in that sensitive area :) I have been reading about supplements that increase pigmentation like Ginger and Turmeric. I also read that Coconut Oil may help increase pigmentation. As a moisturizer, would you recommend Coconut Oil or something else like Shea butter(I was starting to try that, also) or something better? How about JoJoBa oil? Also, do you think that the benefits of Perfectil on the skin would reach the penis skin?

Thanks much for all of your help!!! I hope your condition is continuing to improve!
Hi SpheroD2,

A recent development of my condition is that my dermatologist says the may area I am concerned with is NOT atrophic/indented but just hypopigmentation. He said there is not much he can do for it but a laser treatment, which I don't want to do in that sensitive area :) I have been reading about supplements that increase pigmentation like Ginger and Turmeric. I also read that Coconut Oil may help increase pigmentation. As a moisturizer, would you recommend Coconut Oil or something else like Shea butter(I was starting to try that, also) or something better? How about JoJoBa oil? Also, do you think that the benefits of Perfectil on the skin would reach the penis skin?

Thanks much for all of your help!!! I hope your condition is continuing to improve!
SpheroD2,

I wanted to also comment on the capillaries issue you mentioned earlier. Again, my condition is the hypopigmented spot and a red area which my dermatologist said is most likely broken blood vessels, which I believe are the same as capillaries? The disturbing thing is he said that these would likely stay the same. I have read many cases where post inflammatory hyperpigmentation or broken blood vessels would fade in time and turn closer to the surrounding skin tone. Do you have any knowledge or experience with this?
SpheroD2,

I have recently been reading about how Emu oil can thicken skin AND reverse the effects of hypopigmentation. Have you tried this for your thinned skin condition and, if so, what results have you seen?
Avatar universal
It's nearly 2 years and 6 months since I used thiscream. Hydrocortisone 1%.  About 14 grammes. Mostly back to normal thankfully but here are some things that show, but still hopefully improving:

* glans can go red where the foreskin strikes the glans. Only happens with a lot of friction.  And not always and goes back to normal faster than before.

*  some wrinkles or uneven skin can show now and then but mostly fine.

* the foreskin was stretched. Still a little stretched. Seems to be more than normal still. Foreskin in area where the cream was used is also more pale.

* dead skin cells shredded off but not very often anymore.  Will keep an eye on it.

* glans mostly looks exactly the same but can seem more pale which shows the redness/ pinkness from where venues were messed about.

* on the stretched foreskin semen can seem to become kind of trapped after ejaculation. Then dries. Easily fixed via washing in between ejaculation and not a big thing. But I thought this was worth mentioning. Guess having more skin there for now. Or stretched out skin means it isn't behaving as it used to yet.

Next update at Christmas. Mostly back to normal. Just few things still ongoing but not major.
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Avatar universal
Hey Splodge! Just wanna say a massive thank you for the effort you've put into documenting all of this. You're an absolute legend.

Was circumcision ever an option for you? Did you speak about this with doctors? Also, over the course of your recovery, how prone were you to yeast infections? I'm concerned that with thinned skin and regular sexual activity, it's just gonna be a disaster. I would rather cop out and get the snip, if it means avoiding all this.

For me the thinning and redness of skin is mainly on the inside of the foreskin. The glands and penis head look mostly fine.
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Hi, when I went to a dermatologist about this problem, she told me that thinned skin does not make the skin more prone to infections.
Avatar universal
Splodge we all greatly appreciate your selfless and tireless effort in  documenting your experience with the intention of informing the wider public and thus providing invaluable insight to the ramifications of using steroid creams on the already sensitive penis glans.

We thank you!
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You're welcome.  Glad to have been of help so far. Tbis journal will continue until 5 years has elapsed. After that they'll probably be no more updates but who knows.

This cheap cream you can buy in a chemist can cause a lot of grief if it's used incorrectly where I used it. But you will recover but to exactly what extent is still ongoing for me.

Happy as I am but I'll give it 5 years. Next updates at Christmas, or new year .
Avatar universal
Glad I could be of help.

Left it to nature and I'm glad I did. Suffer from Rosacea a bit down there now but only with excessive friction. The capillaries are a bit messed up I reckon which causes the redness.
Dry skin from dead cells being replaced by new ones also. Foreskin a little stretched. Glans skin too but hardly noticeable.

I'm delighted to be where I am. It's just tough some days because it's such a slow healing process.

Anyway.  Please refer to my journal for future updates if need be. Only updating yearly, or half yearly now. I wish you well with everything too dude.
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Pinky red. Not red. And heals faster and faster thankfully. All other updates on my journal.
Avatar universal
Splodge, dude, I was about to try the cortisone-cream I have for treating spots of psoriasis down there and last-minute decided to maybe Google it first, which has brought me here and I must say: I'm glad I did and am now leaning more towards taking other options or first asking a professional for advice. You started off very positive and I was like: its maybe not that bad, but then I saw the date of the first post, checked your last post and seeing its not over yet after 2 years and a half has certainly put me off the idea.

Thanks for that! Hereby also my assurance you did at least help 1 person: me (and thus probably many other quiet ones). ;)

I wish you a soon and fast recovery and be careful out there, my friend, because life is deadly... ;p
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Avatar universal
He was mostly positive but also not 100 % in some of his responses. He believes dry skin can be permanent but the possibility of slow recovery over the next few years is still possible. He believes it'll mostly recover thankfully.  But we'll see. Next update Xmas 18.
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Avatar universal
Important update on my journal. Spoke to an expert online today. Sent him my worst most recent pictures. He responded with some good information. I don't expect much more recovery after 5 years has passed. He stated 6-12 months give you a lot of recovery. Any possible recovery after this can take 1 to 5 years. He stated previous cases has done this before. And in my case any future recovery will be slow. He also believes time will heal and most things will be back to normal with the skin. Refer to the my journal for more info.
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Hello, I have a similar issue involving hydrocortisone overuse on the glans, but I have talked to two dermatologists who were dismissive because the potency of the hydrocortisone was only 1% (despite using it frequently for a long time). Can you please let me know who this expert is, so I can talk to someone who actually may be able to help me deal with this?
Avatar universal
Approaching week 86. Much improved but still not exactly as it was. Still some issues. Stretchmarks.  Dilated capillaries can make the skin red in places. Mostly shows as blotches, or a red mark after friction.  But not always.  Mostly looms fine or slightly affected. Camera flash pictures show a lot more detail.  Dry dandruff style skin can also show.

Refer to my journal for more updates.  Next update Xmas 18. That'll be roughly 2 years and 6 months since I last used this cream.

As stated much improved but still a few issues.  It anyone has been through this, or is an expert dermatologist then please feel free to answer.
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Avatar universal
Cheers for advice nikki.  Everyone has different opinions. Everyone is affected differently.  Over the 73 weeks things have improved and near enough normal.  Just waiting for weak skin to stop being bruised if that's what it is. Just have to wait it out. I won't keep replying on here as I have an ongoing journal.  Mostly in a great place and having sex but when the redness flares up again it can get you down till it goes a day or so later.
My journal details my 73 week journey with this and is ongoing I guess. I've seen a specialist.  They told me it'll be as it was but worded it well. It's basically been 6 months to get back the structure and since then it's been very slowly thickening. I thought I was out of it u till this weekend. Brought me down again. But you have to stay strong and be happy for where you are. Just gunna take more time. Future updates on journal.  Next update on here will be a long time.
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Avatar universal
Steroid creams are notorious for thinning skin. Anywhere. That's why they say to use sparingly and no more than x times per day, for so many days. Skin on the genitals is particularly thin already. Have you seen a doctor since? A dermatologist or urologist will be able to help you. I wouldn't say the damage is permanent (I am not a medical doctor) but I'd say the answer is to leave your penis alone until the skin is no longer irritated. (Easier said than done, I'm a woman but trust me we want sexual satisfaction just as much as men do) if future cream is required, use VERY sparingly. Cortisone cream is not meant to be applied so heavily that residue remains. Your best bet is to consult a doctor,there might be an oral steroid that you can take if a steroid is necessary.
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Avatar universal
Also. Slight film of skin can be seen when not quite fully erect.
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Avatar universal
Thanks for letting us know johnson.  I thought I'd add a little update here too. Most things have improved.  It's now 73 weeks later.  Here's the few issues remaining.
* loose skin when laying down. Only slight but can see where the skin was stretched. Stretch marks.

* Telangiectasia, (spider veins) show when fully erect but have improved and haven't noticed for a while. But do notice when soft sometimes.  Usually after a red episode. Shows as red blemishes under the skin.  

* skin less smooth. More wrinkled appearance. Not always but does occur.

* dry dandruff style skin shows sometimes.  A sign of further recovery hopefully. Dead skin cells being expelled for new ones.

* I've read that the skin has fatty layers and a thin acid mantle. Too much hydrocortisone, or used for too long in smaller amounts can eat away at these layers and cause thinned skin. The thinned skin I used to have has gone but maybe this explains my next recurring issue.

* this weekend the dreaded redness returned. To me this is a sign that some of the skin is weaker and bruises more easily.  Similar as described by Johnson above.

* everything is near enough normal and can mostly be accepted. But when you get this redness it can get you down. Will the skin ever get back to the strength it was? I just don't know. This is the main thing I'm watching for now.

Follow my updates for honest updates.  If , after two and half years I'm still getting the redness I see occasionally now and as described by Johnson I shall admit to it. You'll get no lies from me.

Most of the time everything seems near enough normal but this redness can be a big set back. You have to be strong and fight on.
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Avatar universal
Please excuse types.  Should say skin can * not skin cancer.  Never want that obviously.  Potential cream* should say potency cream. I'm sure you can all work out the typos.  My apologies. Just needed to update for you all.

I won't keep commenting, or answering on here as it's all in my journal.  Honest, frank updates. My journal relates to this steroid cream only. No other steroid cream.  I will update on this post again in 6 months or so. My skin is near enough the same most of the time with a few issues some consistent but getting better.  Some not very often. Some not a problem anymore. Just seems to take a long time.  Refer to my journal for 4 weekly updates.  
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Hi, I used 1% hydrocortizone cream on my penis for dermatitis/rash after seeing a doctor 2 1/2 years ago. I think the damage is permanent fellas. I still get red discolored skin down there, but overall it's not too bad. I didnt use the cream very long (thank God) but the damage is done with the thin skin.
Avatar universal
Right. I feel I need to interject here and make some things clear. This post is for people who have used too much hydrocortisone 1% cream. Thr lowest level 7 potency steroid cream rating. This is not a potential cream and is served otc and used on babies skin. However.  Too much of this cream can give you issues.

If anyone can provide any experiences they've had with this particular cream it would be helpful to everyone else. Different cream potencies do different damage.

I'm about 73 weeks in to recovery from this cream.  I overused it for 40 days on and off on my Penistone glans.  73 weeks on its mostly the same. Little different but mostly the same.  Old dead skin cells show on the surface sometimes which is skin regenerating I guess. Top layer is slightly looser than it was before but this may keep improving too.

In different positions I notice the skin act different.  Lying down for example shows ruffled skin sometimes. Naked eye doesn't show it as much but three flash of a camera does. Standing up this isn't  noticeable. My skin was stretched to the point of bleeding and was transparent. Those days passed a long time ago thankfully.  

My main issues now are :
* some dandruff style dry skin which, is a sign of skin regeneration.  Old skin cells being pushed through as new skin strength and layers form. From where I am to where I am now is miraculous to say the least but it has taken a long time and can be hard to accept sometimes.  

* red marks can show on the glans in certain areas when a lot of masturbation has happened. But mostly doesn't.  Shows under flash of camera much more than it does via the naked eye. But it's still happening so it's either bruising , or blood near to three surface as the skin in those areas is still rethickeneing.  

* fs imprint still there but much improved and not as frequent but still there.

* loose top layer of skin cancer show in certain positions. Ie, lying down and more so under flash photography.

* venules or capillairies can show under flash or as blotchy areas without flash sometimes.  This has got less and less so.

* foreskin covering glans was stretched paper thin, but is now near enough normal , or normal but bunches up behind the glans when retracted.

These are the issues I still have but the main one is I'd like the red marks that show occasionally to stop showing. They recover back to normal much more faster now but I still get them occasionally.

If you've recovered from this level 7 mildest level of hydrocortisone 1% cream let us know how long it took etc. Mine is near enough back to normal but obviously stretchmarks are expected to be permanent.  

Mostly it looks normal but these things listed above are still trying to improve very slowly. I only take notice of the comments relating to this cream in particular and even then take it with a pinch of salt if negative as I'm living proof of how it can regenerate.  

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Avatar universal
It's nice to know there are other people out there dealing with this nightmare.. I've had it for about 5 years from steroids that the doctors proscribed me as well. Through trail and error I have learned that the best way to deal with it is to let it heal itself for as long as you can to see how much you can actually heal.. unfortunately I don't believe you can heal it all the way, but once you get to a point thats manageable do everything you can to keep it there.

I've tired many lotions, but a lotion called Sarna has really helped me, it cools the skin down. I also used %100 percent virgin coconut oil because it is natural. You don't want to only put man made stuff on there, you have to have a mixture. Also all natural vitamin e pills as they promote healthy skin. I'll try to stay on here as much as I can. It's healthy to talk about this condition, that's the only way we can move forward and keep a positive outlook on life, because after all there is a lot to be positive about.
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Hey man, do you remember long you used the cream? And was the steroid potent?
Avatar universal
Hello fellow penis pain sufferers. I have the same problem the question at hand is has anyone found out how this is caused? Is this bacterial! Fucngal? Or just a cas elf you jerkoff too much now you penis head is gonna be sore. I went to the doc and she prescribed me ketoclonozole cream (antifungal) and said to use this for a few days it's been about 3 and I haven't notice much of any improvement. I had the same thing last summer and was prescribed doxycycline hyclate it's an antibiotic and it worked real good like gone in 2 days. I haven't been maturbating for less trauma. Sometimes it feels good sometimes I'm tugging at my penis to shift it away from whatever it's rubbing against. I know hydrocorzone is anti itch but idk if it's just dry irritated skin from jerking off too much or that I caused a fungal infection. I'm trying to just accept that this is how my penis is going to feel for now on but I'm not really satisfied with that so far it's been 2 weeks since this has been happening
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Avatar universal
Thank you for taking the time to update this regularly and go into detail about your issue. I'm 20 years old and was prescribed Clotrimazole and Betamethasone Dipropionate 1/0.05 for penile yeast infection. The doctor didn't mention anything about using caution with it or whatever, and being young and dumb I just wanted to start being sexually active again so I didn't make time to read the directions and just wanted the thrush gone as soon as possible.

From what I've read, the potency in what I used is a lot higher than what you did, so that's a shame for me. However, I only used it for a week, probably only around 5g of the 15g tube, maybe less. This is my first day not applying it (last time I applied it was yesterday morning, washed it off around 5pm and put some organic extra virgin coco oil on it; that's when I found these threads and realized what I was doing to myself).

I'm uncircumcised. My glans have little slight reddish blotches and it feels a little irritated, nothing too bad or noticeable. I reckon I will see the true extent of the damage I have done in the next few days. Although, I can see that my glans have two slight rings probably from the foreskin sitting there. It's not too noticeable and hopefully that will fade with time.

I did not masturbate or have sex during the days I used the cream, thankfully, as I feel that would have definitely escalated the issue. I did get a ** last night though, lathered the jimmy up with coco oil beforehand and didn't really feel any bad pain... the glans turned red and it was irritated/burning slightly, but not enough for me to care. I will try to abstain from sex for a while and I won't masturbate whatsoever.

I'm going to continue applying the coco oil every day and will book an appointment for a dermatologist. I will keep you guys posted.
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Oral is what ** means, I didn't figure they'd censor that word haha
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