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

[Splodge13]

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.  

[Splodge13]

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.  

[MyJohnson]

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.

[Splodge13]

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.

[Splodge13]

Also. Slight film of skin can be seen when not quite fully erect.

[Nikipedia]

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.

[Splodge13]

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.

[Splodge13]

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.