Worried. permanent scar on my penis? anything I can do to stop this?

[SG245]

A few weeks ago, i saw a couple bumps on my penis. this is what they looked like: https://imgur.com/lejUCSU
I had no idea what they were, and I honestly didn't want to know what they were, I just Really wanted to get them off. A few people recommended that i get them 'biopsied' and i TRIED finding a doctor that would, But, i don't have any income or health insurance at all, so i couldn't find one -_-

So i tried taking care of it myself by sanding away at them with a skin-sander board thing, but i think it was too thick and i put some apple cider vinegar on them with a band-aid, all of this was 5 or 6 days ago.

about a day after i did that, it looked like this: https://i.imgur.com/Ta41lNG.jpg

Now i'm worried about scarring. it still looks like that, but the yellow has faded out, it looks like bright pink patches now. My skin in that area is really dark and it's not blending in...

How likely is it that that's going to be a permanent scar? is there anything i can do to make it blend in and make it look more visible? i got some silicone scar cream, would that help? or should i use something else?
and how long would it take for it to get back to normal?
i'm also a diabetic and my blood sugars have been high lately but i've been trying to keep them down.

Please help.

[auntiejessi]

Hi there -

So listen. First thing, I'm not a doctor. I can't diagnose you, okay?

First thing, it looks like maybe you have genital warts, which is caused by the HPV virus. Don't freak - this is not a big deal. It's estimated that about 88% of people who are sexually active will get HPV in their lifetimes, at least once.

Now, the next steps - please do not do anything else to self-treat this. Even if it isn't warts, you need to leave it alone and get a doctor to see it (and I'm going to tell you how in a minute). Please, like really please, please please, don't ever take any kind of sander to your penis again. Not only does it not cure what is causing these bumps, you are seriously irritating your skin (as you know now), and it has to hurt like hell.

To see a doctor, find a free clinic. Most areas have them. I'm guessing you are in the US since you mention insurance. Google your town and state and "STD Clinic" - like "New York City STD clinics". You can also google "New York City free clinics". Since your diabetes is likely needing some management, a free clinic that does more than just STDs could be a good option. You can also google your county and "health department", like "New York County health department".

You can also try these links -

http://www.ashasexualhealth.org/stdsstis/get-tested/


https://gettested.cdc.gov/


https://yourstdhelp.com/free_clinic_locator.html

Call ahead for any clinic you find - they don't always have the most updated info for addresses, hours, etc.

You can also try Planned Parenthood. They have a sliding fee scale.

All clinics should be able to help you find free or seriously reduced health care as well.

Best of luck.

[SG245]

Already tried that...
I went to the health department and all the doctor did was tell me "you have genital warts bye" then she gave me the number to a clinic that couldnt even help me because i have no insurance or income at all... that's how i got to this point...

AND i Also even got the HPV vaccine back in 2012 so they shouldnt be warts anyway.

My only concern is treating the scar so it doesnt become permanent. it's pink right now, is there Anything i can do for it?

[auntiejessi]

The HPV vaccine doesn't protect against all strains of the virus - just the most common ones, so it's possible to still get it after getting the vaccine.

No one can tell you now if the scar will be permanent. Vitamin E oil may help the scar.

I don't know if your sexual partners are women, but I promise you that no woman would care about a scar like this. I can't imagine a man would, either.

You should still try googling STD clinics or Planned Parenthood in your area. There may be one in another town that will actually treat you.

[SG245]

my sexual partners are actually male. i never do stuff with girls.

and I actually already tried plannedparenthood, but they couldn't help me at all. they had no sliding scale and they told me quote-on-quote "we aren't government funded at all"... I have no idea how they stay open then...

Also, the doctor i saw at the health department i went to was STUPID, she told me that the warts will be 'permanent' and will never go away and will always come back, and when i mentioned that the body clears the hpv virus after 2 years she told me "that's only for cervical HPV, not warts" I HAVE NEVER READ THAT ANYWHERE IN MY WHOLE ENTIRE LIFE!

she didnt even refer me to any place to help me or offer me any treatment, that's why i tried taking care of it on my own instead -_- so it's not like i had any other options to start with.

[SG245]

she also tried saying "you must have been confused and not have gotten the vaccine" even though i remember BEGGING my parents to have me get the vaccine so stuff like this wouldnt happen -_-