Hydrocortizone on Penis - Skin Thinning and Discoloration

[Amos1469]

Hi,

About 3 weeks ago i developed a rash on the underside of my penis, just beneath the glans.  I already have somewhat thin skin on my penis and I am circumsized.  The rash then flaked and eventually went away.  I saw a dermatologist who said that it was not a yeast infection, but that it might be something like dry skin and general irritation due to sex.  I have never had any irritation like this before during sex, and I have been sexually active for about 16 years.  

The GP I saw before I went to a dermatologist said that I should get some over the counter cream for dermatitis or to try to get some hydrocortizone.  So I basically applied hydrocortizone ointment to my penis for about 7-8 days.  I did put a bit much on the shaft and glans of my penis.  

I stopped putting the ointment on 10 days ago.  My penis has since had a slight loss of pigmentation on the shaft, meaning it is now slighltly "pinker" or ligher in color, AND the skin appears to be thinner.

This was an OTC 1% hydrocortizone cream called Hydrozole.  I only used it for about 7-8 days.  I read that use of hydrocortizone can cause this, but it takes 2-4 weeks of overuse, which I did not do.  Regardless, I have noticed that I developed the side effects of over use.

So, my question is, will my penis skin "toughen" and get back to normal, or am I already looking at permanent damage?  I am very nervous and scared about this.  

I am currently abstaining from sex and masturbation for the next month to see if my skin repairs itself.  PLEASE, anyone with experience with this give me some insight.

Thanks!

[Ra1234]

Don't be so concerned, of my own experience I can tell you that your skin will be back to normal very soon.

[Amos1469]

Thanks Ra.  

I appreciate your encouragement.  It helps and today I am feeling less anxious, but still a bit worried.  

I am clearly very unsettled by the following facts:

-I used 1% OTC hydrocortisone products for nearly 2 weeks (14 days tops); 1% is considered a mild-to-moderate strength which can cause skin thinning and hypo-pigmentation if used for 2 - 4 weeks or longer.  

-Research shows that the absorbtion rate in the genital area is 30% compared to other parts of the body where is is about an average of 5%.

-My dermatologist who dismissed my penis rash as nothing more than an irritated rash, (but nothing he had seen before!), and said it was fine to use the OTC Hydrocortisone acetate ointment for up to a full month with no issues at all.  

-The shaft of my penis is STILL, after 13 days of discontinued use, VERY 1) transparent and 2) lightened in color (it used to be a darker skin tone, now it is very nearly white), and 3) the shaft skin is sensitive to the touch, seems almost elastic and very shiny when I get an erection, and 4) not as durable as before...Hence I am not masturbating or having sex for a while until it repairs itself.

I realize that 2 weeks of use of this mild-to-moderate cream (used 2-3 times per day, liberally), may not cause permanent damage, but my penis is definitely not the same currently and this would probably freak any man out.  

THANKFULLY, I searched online and decided to stop using it based on the side effects I'm experiencing and others have experienced as well.  I'm just disturbed that my dermatologist did not make me aware of these possible side effects after telling me to use it for up to a month, when I experienced the side effects after 2 weeks.

Also, I must be dumb for not questioning him when the labels on all the tubes I used said DO NOT use for more than 7 days unless instructed by your doctor.  

I will be less anxious knowing this my penis skin will return to normal, but obviously every day it keeps looking the same, I am feeling that the damage may be permanent.  

I will have to have faith in your experience Ra1234.  Many thanks again.  

I am quite surprised no doctor has chimed in, but oh well.  Thanks all!

[Amos1469]

Got it, dude.  I will do just that.  Thanks again for the encouragement; it really helps.  I'll report back in a few weeks of progress.  

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
It is true that on the thin and delicate skin of the penis, application of even mild steroid cream can cause skin thinning and atrophy. However for such kind of skin since you have stopped the application of steroid cream, wear cotton clothes and apply a mild hypoallergenic moisturizer. The skin should heal with time.

It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your dermatologist. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.

[Amos1469]

Hi Dr. Bhupinder,

Many thanks for your reply.  After not masturbating for a week, I masturbated this morning, and within 5 minutes, the skin was red, irritated, very shiny, and it looked like you could almost see blood vessels.  The papules on the glans were more prominent.  

I clearly am not meant to do anything with my penis right now: no sex, no masturbation.  This is not your average friction burn as I've had those in the past.  

I've been applying aloe vera gel, QV moisturizer, and on some days Curash (Gold Bond equivalent) powder.  

After the flare up this morning from masturbation, I am convinced this is something more.

I'm considering to go back to a dermatologist to see if it could be balantitis, OR, if it really just needs to heal on its own.  The skin was already sensitive, so the 2 weeks of hydrocortisone with masturbation here and there has not allowed it to heal fully, but then again, I know my body and I think it could be something more.  

Do you think I should give it 4-6 weeks before I make another appointment?  Thank!!

[Amos1469]

I am going to get a second opinion from a different dermatologist tomorrow morning.  I continue to put moisturizer on my penis, but I see not change in color and it is still very sensitive on the head and shaft, which are the only areas I applied the hydrocortisone.  

I have read that the effects can be reversible with time or irreversible depending on each case.  I am hoping that it is just a matter of taking months, but I guess I am expecting it to only take a few weeks.  

I just need a realistic expectation of what is happening so I can move on with it.  I'll post what the dermatologist says tomorrow.  

Thanks for all the support!