Are steroid creams for penis safe?

Men's health
1

The gp agreed that I likely have lichen planus, although suggested I have an std check just to be on safe side. 

As predicted, I've been asked to use 1% steroid cream.

But I'm reluctant.

I've read lots of horror stories about steroid creams and skin disorders going away and coming back ten times worse. Of course, I'm well aware the only people writing online about steroid creams are likely to be people who have had negative experience. ButI'm not sure I want to take the gamble. 

I think I should stick with the aloe vera and turmeric for a month and hope for the best. But I'd love to hear of those who had ih lichen's and dealt with it easily with a steroid cream.

I have read that steroid creams will turn it to a brown rash. That doesn't help me! a brown rash on my pikestaff is as unsightly as a red one!

I will be honest about my situation. I'm not interested in long term partners. If there is anything questionable on my penis - it looks like an std, even though it isn't! - ob viously no girl is going to go any further with me. I need this rash gone sooner rather than later and I would consider steroid creams only as a last resort.

 

2

Hi Paul, I think I have responded to one of your previous posts.  Whatever, in a nut shell, as you suggest, horror stories about using steroidal ointments on your prized possession are just that.  They are from people who have a very biassed perspective, and perhaps even an axe to grind, that is often is the case, also due to their own reluctance to seek professional help in a timely manner!

So, no brown rash is going to happen!  What you need to find is the correct level of application of the steroid that is appropriate for your skin type and your severity of infection.  Simply, the only alternative to this is to radically change your diet (if not already, obviously!) to a gluten and diary free, and discover the right mix of vitamin and mineral supplements that are suitable for you.

Just to say, I have been using Clobetasol for 7 years plus and I have had no side-effects whatsoever.  I am dealing with Lichen Sclerosus / BXO and the best advice I can offer you is discover your personal secret recipe, diet and supplements that will give you the healthiest possible skin on your penis.  Perhaps I am lucky and only ever needed to use Dermovate or ClobaDerm brands of Clobetasol.  The other issue that goes with Lichen disorders in men is that many men will suffer Phimosis if they were not circumcised prior to the infection. 

However, I have been dealing with Phimosis and consequent issues since I was around 17 YOA, and I am 62 now.  Other than the LS / BXO requiring daily treatment when I am sexually active, my foreskin is in the best shape (literally) than it has ever been, and I gain greater sexual pleasure than I have ever had in my adult life!

Essentially, find the right cocktail of dietary requirements that suit your condition - cut out all diary, adopt gluten-free and exclude sugar completely, AND, find the right mix of supplements such as Vitamin D3, Zinc, magnesium, Vitamin k2, and so on, AND find the right natural application for your skin type, such as Borax, Olive Oil, Coconut Oil, and so on.

Or, find the steroidal OINTMENT that suits you best, then find out how often you need to apply it.  Clobetasol, by the way is 0.05% steroid - I would suggest if you are going to start on a steroid to use this.  Twice a day for at least 2 weeks, reduce to once a day for a further two weeks, then see how you get on with applying it every other day.  If it does not work for you after 7 to 9 weeks of trying it you may need to try a different steroid - I certainly would not recommend any steroid in the cream version, only ointment.

If you have any further questions or guidance to ask of me, simply update this discussion forum, or begin a new one ......

3

I've had two bouts of Lichen Planus over the years. It was mostly on my arms, but penis and inside mouth were also affested. Had no treatment. The marks went away in a few weeks.

If you get another attack, it won't be ointment or cream causing it. Lichen Planus tends to return in a cycle of a couple of years, in my experience.

4

Thanks.

When yuo say a few weeks, how long do you mean? This has been here for about two weeks and I'm now not convinced it's shown any signs of improvement.

5

Thanks for you feedback.

Just to say, I don't eat diary, I don't eat sugar (minus natural sugars in all foods). I have all of these supplements - zinc, magnesium - as part of my daily diet. I don't drink alcohol. I don't drink coffee. There is nothing left for me to cut out!

I'm fed up with what my body is doing to me, we're supposed to be on the same team!

6

The marks start with small red lumps then change to flat over about 12 weeks before gradually disappearing.

7

What Medical Professionals have you seen to help you with your overall health condition?  Dermatologists, Dietician that kind of specialist?  If you are in the UK and you are dependent on the NHS for your health care, often the way round getting the treatment you need (presuming you have been to specialists in your local area, and they have been of little / no help) is to find a top UK NHS specialist who does get results with people for your condition.

Once you find such a specialist you then go to your GP and ask to be referred to them.  Obviously, you will need to travel, and you are likely to have to wait a number of months for an appointment.  However, once you have the right treatment regime in place you have the key to keeping yourself right.  Also, if you have a specialist who you are currently seeing / have previously seen - they may be prepared to liaise with the national specialist should you need to revise / tweak the treatment you are on going forward.

8

Hi,

I haven’t been diagnosed because I don’t think the doctors know, but it seems be an inflammatory thing… Redness, sore, at times itchy. I was prescribed clobetasol also - I used for 2 weeks every day, which was helping but not clearing up, so the doctor said to keep using for a month. So I probably used 4 weeks every day and then another 4 every other day. With the same results… Then I stopped using and it has been it a lot better (so far) but it’s still mildly red and irritated at times.

I’ve booked into seeing the dermatologist. But who knows if they can help.

You seem to know alot about this - you don’t think clobetasol causes long term damage or can make it worse?

Thanks