Balanitis for 2 years. It's destroyed my life. Someone, please help me

Men's health
1

I've had balanitis for 2 years. No one can help me. I've been to the dermatologist 7 times. I haven't gotten any relief. I've tried Clotrimazole, miconazole, betamethazone, triamcinolone acetonide, finally the most recent was a mixture of ketoconazole and hydrocortisone 2.5. This combination has the most "effective", if you can call it that. At one point, I had white smegma growing under the foreskin along with the red rash. It seems as though, the ketoconazole did kill that the shmegma causing problem, but it's still soooo red and itchy. It gets worse with an erection. Please, someone help me.. this has taken over my life. My son's mother left me for someone who could "take care of her needs" now I get to watch them be a nice happy family, together. All because no doctor wanted to run some tests and find out what's wrong. The doctors now say there's nothing they can do and to chop off my foreskin. I don't want to! Please someone help me..I can't do this anymore...Its destroyed my life. I'm holding back tears just writing this...thank you in advance...

Also, how do I include pics?

2

My friend  I am sorry that you have to go through this.  But if you want relief you may have to do what you don't want to do.  Think about it and get on with your life  Ken

3

If your partner didn't stand by you with this issue, she didn't love you anyway and you are better off without her. There are plenty of alternative ways a woman can enjoy sex without standard intercourse. My wife always preferred finger to clitoris stimulation and rarely orgasmed with intercourse. Once we had our children, intercourse was a secondary consideration.

Circumcision should be the absolute last thing to try. 

To upload photos:

Some phones can upload (you have to use desktop mode), but others don't. The scenery icon is the one you need (but the icons don't appear on either of my phones or tablets). 

Alternatively:

First transfer the photos to a computer. In the computer browser, log in to Patient.info and hit reply in this thread. Click on the 4th icon on the right above the reply box and you can upload photos from there. 

4

May I ask a personal question how come you lost your family because off your Balanitis did she think you had been cheating? If not why Because I suffer with balanitis I have been using a cream called daktacort it works but  what keeps happening to lose your partner and child? I hope you see your child because having balanitis shouldn't prevent you seeing your child. I do admit it can be really itchy at time and when peeing it can be stinging real bad. but using the cream I have just recommedated works for me. If not look at other options for creams.

5

Well, sure glad I'm circumcised... 

6

And very glad I'm not!

7

Hey it’s easier to attach pics on a pc then on a phone also look at my profile I had a discussion open and in that disccussion I attached some pics can u tell me if that’s balantis 

8

Hey dude you should probably cut your foreskin because it will most definitely help. But if you don’t want to I had balanitis too I was prescribed Mupirocin Cream USP 2% by my doctor and I used that twice sometimes three times a day but before application I washed the affected area w chamomile tea or water but most times both with the water before the tea then let my area dry then applied the cream. If this works close to the end of your infection you can start using hydrogen peroxide in that mix if you wish to as well it is not necessary however.

9

I'll be honest....I was upset when I wrote this. I said more than I needed to. I apologize. However, to elaborate...her and I have been on and off for years. We were keeping it together for our sons sake. We weren't miserable. It wasn't the balanitis, specifically. It was a wierd situation, but we were making it work. Didn't live together, but I would always go by there after work....if they needed anything, I took care of it. if one of us were lonely, we'd be there for each other. No need to bring anyone else into our sons life and, for 1) complicate things and 2

For 2) hurt each other. Well, I couldn't fill that void, so to speak....and someone else could. I don't hate her. I still go by and see him. I had him all weekend...just gotta watch someone else hanging around my kid. Ive Just been emotional, to top it off. One of my best friends from childhood was found dead Friday, too. Ao...my bad. Anyways, I will try the pics from my computer later tonight after work. I actually had an "outbreak" over the weekend... realized it right after I posted. I hadn't kept up with washing it and applying the daily cream over a day or 2 and it was OHHH so red and itchy... It's legit where the foreskin touches the head... It honestly look like I'm allergic to my own foreskin. It was so bad. I noticed the skin felt rough...the head and under the foreskin. So, I tried really rubbing and scrubbing and what looked like shmegma became to peel off. I used peroxide before, so I did a quick peroxide rinse and even more of the white stuff came off. I cleaned him all up and dried him, I noticed where I scrubbed, the red area, was also extreeemmmllyyy shiny. I started thinking, was that skin? It reminds me of when I had athletes foot and I would peel the skin out from between my toes. It looks like someone with a bald head in the sunlight, the little light spot where the light hits it... I then, applied the hydrocortisone/ketoconazole 3x yesterday, washing it each time. I woke up today and it looks 85% better. I showered and applied the cream again. However, wherever the foreskin touches always looks waterlogged. That's the best way I can describe it. But....this is what happens. If I keep up with washing it 3x a day, everyday and appIying the cream combo, I can keep it at bay., But not really. It's still not right. When I get an erection, you can see the redness, it's still there, but when it's flacid you don't see the red pigments. Its, then bad for a day or 2. That happens every few weeks. Someone told me try emuaid. I'm going to try it this week. Thanks for all your quick replys. Just dealing with some serious crap recently. Doctors frustate me. Not a single test done...my gut tells me, my insurance won't pay for any....I have a state insurance and you notice a big difference in treatment between private and state from doctors. I had an amazing PPO plan and I got 5 star treatment, then I had to go back to state insurance, and now my penis is rotting off....God Bless America...

10

Okay, you have asked me IN a PM to give you a reply to your discussion forum, if you want me to be ANY help to YOU, you need to answer the following questions directly and specifically: -

> What country are you in? (USA?)

> have you been to a specialist professional medic such as a Urologist?

> how do you know you have Balanitis?

> what form of Balanitis do you think have?

> has the Balanitis you believe you have been confirmed by a Medical Biopsy Analysis?

> have you ever, or are currently still using a topical corticosteroid ointment or cream such as Clobetasol {I think you mention a hydrocortisone medication in one of your later posts] - if so, what is the Brand Name of it ?

*If you respond to me please ONLY tell me what is happening to your penile condition, and what it is you are doing now to deal with it > I do not need to know about your private life!

My basic tips are: - i.) you should only be using one medication - this HAS to be to deal with the CONDITION you ACTUALLY have, not what you think you have; ii.)  If it has been medically proven by a Biopsy test that you have a form of Balanitis, you need a steroidal ointment that best suits your skin type AND the SEVERITY of the condition you have - you then have to apply this correctly and sufficiently often for the severity of your condition; AND iii.) ONLY EVER wash the head / glans of your penis and foreskin with water ONLY - you need to do this every time you urinate, are sexually aroused or have ejaculated - if you cannot wash, if you are using public toilets / toilets at work, etc. - use a paper tissue / toilet paper and wash as soon as you can - when you are taking a shower, ALWAYS protect the glans and foreskin by drawing the foreskin as far-forward (away from the body) as you can to keep hair shampoo, shower gel / soaps etc from getting on the head of your penis / any infected area.  When you have finished with soaps, shampoo etc, rinse all of that away - then, expose the glans and foreskin of you penis and wash by rubbing gently with the inside of your hand, while drawing the foreskin back with the other.  EVERY time you wash always ensure you are 100% dry

There are other things you can do - but please answer my questions first .......

 

11

Did the Balanitis affect your sex life I have just met a woman I am worried about it The Balanitis myself if so in what way did it affect your sex life so I can put her off till I have used this dakcourt cream. Is it the Itching that cause the sex life I know how itchy the balanitis can get and be left in agony when you have itched that much your in agony?

12

Andy, you should NOT be itching to the level you are experiencing.  You are OBVIOUSLY not on the right treatment for the actual condition you actually have.  I presume you actually mean Daktacort?

Can I ask, who was it that diagnosed your Balanitis?  What form of balanitis were you told you have?

How long have you been experiencing what you have been told is Balanitis?  Are you circumcised, or in tact with your foreskin?

If you were on the correct treatment for the condition you actually have, and, you were using it correctly and sufficiently frequently enough you would not have an itch at all.  Should you have a severe form of Balanitis you would most likely be better off using a pure Steroidal ointment such as Clobetasol - when you get the right treatment in place you simply apply the ointment in the morning if you are most likely to be having sex in the evening - or otherwise plan the application of the steroid at a different part of the day to that in which you have sex .....

13

Well it was the itching that sent me to the doctors because I was in agony he told me it was Balanitis it was white and red was sore but the white affected area was the itching area. Never tried to Clobetasol not sure if it needs prescription because my Doctor has never prescribe that cream but willing to try it if it works. So I could go back and mention that cream see if he will prescribe that for me. Unless you can get it over the counter.

14

Hey, no need to be scared. I understand your problem. I suggest you can try Tea tree oil, Garlic, and Oil of oregano,  Coconut oil. it's really very helpful. I heartily say plz try these natural ways.

15

If you are in the UK a GP can prescribe Clobetasol for you.  What you need to do is go back, maybe see a different Doctor this time.  Explain that what you currently have prescribed is clearly not working for you.  You can say that Clobetasol is now the most widely recognised ointment for treating all form of Lichen based Disorders.  If they are not keen to change it for you, ask to see a Dermatologist as you want to get to the bottom of what is going on, and, to get the itching under control.

Many women with LS have this severe itching issue, the unfortunate possibility is if you continue to give in to the itch you could end up with an even more severe form of Balanitis, and your penis could end up causing a major problem.

So, get it sorted as soon as possible .......

16

Hey...my bad. TMI. I am in the U.S. I went to the dermatologist 4 times. I've tried all the medications I previously listed and am currently trying different combos because I don't know what else to do. I asked the dermatologist to do some sort of test, he told me he has no idea what it is and there's no test to run. He gave me ketoconazole and hydrocortisone. That's was the most recent visit. He said, if this didn't solve it, he'd refer me to a urologist for a circumcision. I have not been given any steroidal creams. Only the 4 I've mentioned. Currently, while using the 4 creams together, I've kept it at bay. Its constantly moist and looks water logged under the foreskin. Apparently, my body is producing excess moisture there. Every couple of days it will flare up and be extremely red again and irritated. I'll immediately apply more cream and it calms it down for a couple of days. Again...as long as I'm on a constant cream constantly. If I stop using the cream, it gets really itchy, red, the glands swell up and become purple, and it begins to grow smegma. Also, I'm not sure when I PMed you, if so...then that was last year sometime. I'm still battling it. I follow all those tips...every day all day. I'm using mobile but I can try and get a flare up photo up tonight from my computer.

17

Either you have totally misunderstood what the Dermatologist has been telling you, they do not want to find what is wrong with you, or, they have no idea what they are doing.  The most basic test to diagnose skin conditions is a Biopsy.  You should not be using combination of medications as one can counteract the other, and, simply leave you with what it is you are trying to alleviate.

What you need is to go to a Urologist to find what the skin condition is you actually have - not get circumcised, as, if you are again not knowing what you are trying to cure you could still have the condition, but, be minus your foreskin for no reason whatsoever (other than earning the surgeon some additional salary!).

You Personal Messaged (PM'd) me in the last few weeks as far as I am aware. 

* NOTE CAREFULLY:  where you currently are - you need the right Professional Medic to Diagnose the actual condition you have.  You do not currently have this as you are using too many different medications - rather than just one.  The most affect treatment for most forms is a Steroidal Ointment with the most frequent prescribed choice being Clobetasol.

If you ACTUALLY HAVE something else going on, not JUST the Balanitis (I still don't know who actually gave this diagnosis) - a Urologist should be able to sort this out for you.  If they suggest you get circumcised this is a pure cop-out, you need to know what you actually have, NO SKIN CONDITION cannot be treated - should you have Lichen Sclerosis (LS) / BXO for example, this can be greatly alleviated, put in remission even, but not cured.  Should a surgeon remove your foreskin (i.e. get circumcised) and you actually have LS / BXO you are almost certainly still going to have LS, but have no foreskin and be at risk of side-effects of exposing your head / glans to things it was not exposed to before, AND, like any surgery, you are at risk of developing surgery specific conditions too.

If I were you, I would find a Medical Professional that has dealt successfully with Balanitis without having sent their patients for unnecessary Circumcision Surgery - hopefully such a person would be a Urologist who will treat you correctly, rather than seemingly, not have a clue about what they are doing to diagnose and successfully treat your condition.

18

It was dermatologists. About 20 months ago, I got a bad friction burn all on the head of the penis. Went to the doctor when the burn turned to this. He referred me to a dermo. I've been there 3 to 4 times. First time, I was told to use talcolm powder and athletes foot medicine, which was the Clotrimazole. I went back to the same place, they Rxed me miconazole this time and told me to use that in the morning and to use over the counter hydrocortisone at night for 2 weeks. No help, went back again...was given a Rx for ketoconazole in the morning and hydrocortisone 2.5 mg at night. At this appointment I was told, there were no tests. I didn't specify a biopsy, when I asked, because I didn't know about that was how you did it, yet. He said (the dermo), hopefully this would work sufficiently. If it did not, I would need to call my Primary Care and ask for a referral for a urologist and schedule a circumcision. I don't know if it's because I have Mass health, which is the poor man's insurance, or what's going on...but it really sucks and I feel like they don't give a s**t. Someone had told me to try mupirocin cream. I got my hands on some last week...no help. The problem with seeing the urologist is, when I got the initial referral, that's what my PCP reffered me to, a urologist by accident. When MGH (Mass General Hospital) received the referral and saw what it was for, they called my PCP and myself and said that that was the wrong department and I need to see a dermo. They wouldn't even met me see the urologist. Should I just say, that I want a circumcision and then, when I get there, tell them I'd like to avoid a circumcision and find out what's wrong first? I was legitimately FORCED to see a dermo for this. My current situatuon is the smegma came back when I stopped the combo cream and switched to the mupirocin for the last couple of weeks...Soo, I don't know what to do...I know you said not to use that, but that's the only relief I can find..thank you again for your responses . Also, you must be confusing me with someone else, I def didn't PM yo, lol!...I didnt know even you until I responded to you the first time. Haha. None the less, thank you for trying to help. I truly appreciate it

19

Here are my brief essentials: stop applying lots of different stuff to your penis.  ONLY was your penis with water, dry 100% afterwards.  Keep ALL chemicals such as soaps, gels, hair shampoos away from your foreskin and glans when taking a shower.

If you are really determined to avoid circumcision you need at least to give a regime of applying Clobetasol correctly and appropriately for a minimum of six weeks to see if this will control what you have .. until you have at least tried this you will achieve diddly-squat and simply go round in circles achieving nothing .... Good Luck ....

PS sorry about the PM confusion, and blunt language, I merely followed the link in my inbox, so don't know how that happened .....

20

No worries...well, how would I get clobetasol? I need an RX, correct. That's what I found on a quick search just now. Looked like it's Rx only. Like you said, they don't even know what it is....how do I know a circumcision will cure it? I really don't know what to do anymore...I'm going to try and get some clobetasol. Thanks you