Persistent rash on foreskin

[peter345]

Hi,

I've had a red rash on my foreskin and sometimes on my glans for about 2 months. It's not constantly visible; it comes and goes - first it starts out really red (covering the foreskin), then it subsides, and finally it goes away completely in about a week; then the cycle starts again.

Some other symptoms:
- sometimes it itches
- sometimes it burns
- sometimes the glans is very sensitive to the touch (i.e. it hurts)
- I have recently noticed that when having an erection, if I pull back the foreskin, it doesn't always manage to go back completely without manual help (no problems in the flaccid state though), as if a "ring" of skin has become a bit tighter at the end of the foreskin.

I've tried canesten, lamisil and a hydrocortisone 1% cream (one after the other, each for about a week). None seemed to have any effect (the symptoms cleared up sometimes, but they also did when not being treated with anything; and they always came back).

I've been to a (nurse-led) walk-in clinic, where I was immediately told it was an allergic reaction, and was told to apply hydrocortisone cream (which didn't help). Then I went to my GP - he couldn't see the symptoms as they were at the "invisible" stage, but he asked a lot of questions (this post addresses most of them), and finally he said he was baffled. Recommended to take lamisil cream though for about 2-3 weeks - but since this thing comes and goes (which I suspect is not characteristic of a fungus), I don't know if this will help at all, or is just a shot in the dark. I guess I should go to a dermatologist, but waiting times are notoriously high (quite a few months) in the UK.

Do you have any idea what this is?

Thank you.

Regards,
P.

[rajdeep291977]

Hi,
I have red rashes around my glans penis for the past 2 weeks. The foreskin is inflamed and does not retract much. I had an oral course of antibiotics that did not work (Cefoclox-6 tablets) and anti-fungal tablet (fluconazole -2 tablets in 1 week) treating yeast infections, but the symptoms are not are not subsiding. This is for the past two weeks with persistent irritation.I applied canestan cream, and Nystatin cream too. But to no help. Pleaase reply a solution.

[peter345]

Hi,

Thank you. After reading up on the subject I suspected the same, but I'm worried that the condition will get worse (I mean the scarring of the foreskin) without the appropriate treatment (since the underlying cause is currently unknown).

Is it normal for a fungal infection on the penis not to respond to lamisil for a week? Or should I just abandon the lamisil therapy and pay for a private dermatologist in the hope that they can determine what is actually causing this?

Thanks,
P.

[Dr_Aparna]

Hi,
This could be balanitis, which  is inflammation of the glans penis . When the foreskin (or prepuce) is also affected, it is termed balanoposthitis.
Lack of aeration and irritation because of smegma (secretion that accumulates under the fore-skin) and discharge surrounding the glans penis causes inflammation and edema.
Treatment for balanitis depends on the underlying cause. If there is an infection, treatment will include an appropriate antibiotic or antifungal medication.Fungal infections and allergic re-actions do tend to recur.
Taking appropriate hygiene measures can help prevent future bouts of balanitis, such as retracting the foreskin daily and adequately cleaning and drying the head of the penis. In addition, it is important to avoid strong soaps or chemicals, especially those known to cause a skin reaction.
Phimosis is a condition in which the foreskin of the penis is so tight that it cannot be pulled back (retracted) to reveal the head of the penis.A cause of phimosis is balanitis, which leads to scarring and tightness of the foreskin.
ref:http://www.tamilstar.com/news/health/article_4836.shtml
wikipedia