Aa
penile discoloration
I have a very young African American patient who's penis if white at the tip due to a circumcision problem. Is there any literature on the long-term psychological effects of such a condition?
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Thank you for your response regariding penile vitiligo etc. Do you have any experience with, or know any literature regarding the long-term psychohlogical effects of these this conditions?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hello,
This can be due to penile vitiligo, lichen sclerosus or balanitis xerotica obliterans. Vitiligo is a pigmentation disorder in which melanocytes (the cells that make pigment) in the skin are destroyed. The exact cause is not known but a genetic or hereditary predisposition has been seen.
Lichen sclerosis appears as white plaques on the glans, foreskin or shaft of the penis. It usually has no symptoms, although burning and irritation have been reported. Balanitis xerotica obliterans is a severe form of lichen sclerosis affecting the foreskin of uncircumcised men.
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 doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.
This can be due to penile vitiligo, lichen sclerosus or balanitis xerotica obliterans. Vitiligo is a pigmentation disorder in which melanocytes (the cells that make pigment) in the skin are destroyed. The exact cause is not known but a genetic or hereditary predisposition has been seen.
Lichen sclerosis appears as white plaques on the glans, foreskin or shaft of the penis. It usually has no symptoms, although burning and irritation have been reported. Balanitis xerotica obliterans is a severe form of lichen sclerosis affecting the foreskin of uncircumcised men.
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 doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.
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All these three medical conditions are chronic and treatment is not 100% and long term treatment spanning years may be needed. definitely this has a devastating effect on the psychology of the petinets and patients may go into depression.
National institute of arthritis and musculoskeletal diseases has stated that although these medical conditions especially vitiligo is not harmful medically and causes no physical pain, its emotional and psychological effects can be detrimental.
However treatment should be initiated as early as possible. For example for penile vitiligo, many treatment options are available but the choice of therapy depends on the number of white patches; their location, sizes, and how widespread they are and the option that is convenient to the patient. Circumcision or surgical approach can only be undertaken if vitiligo has not changed in the last year, no response to PUVA or PUVB treatment is there and there is no chronic disease like hepatitis B or HIV.
I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.