A year or so ago I was prescribed a cortisteroid/anti fungal cream, over the phone, due to dryness under my foreskin due to frequent swimming. I found the cream helped, however after use I found my foreskin no longer fits as it used to. It is quite clingy and doesn’t glide over the head as naturally as it used to. It also looks as if there is more skin on the left side than there used to be and no longer as symetrical. I went back to my gp at the time and saw a nurse there who said it wasn’t a problem unless it doesn’t retract fully. Please can anyone offer advice? Should I get a second opinion? There is no longer natural lubrication under my foreskin. It is uncomfortable and causes dryness if I was to masturbate without lubricant.
It may depend on your age.
I've found as I age that my foreskin is drier and even occasionally adheres to the skin of my glans. Using moisturiser or Coconut oil prevents this. I'm 68 yoa.
Other than what Pepasan has stated, there are two other issues you need to address:
i.) 'prescribed over the phone' is not the best way to be continuing to apply what you were originally prescribed - there are possibilities you are not on the best medication for the actual condition you have, and / or you may no longer need to use it - if you are still using the cream what is the name of it? My understanding of anti-fungals is you should not constantly apply them ...
ii.) what you may have inadvertently have done is to kill-off the 'good-guy' bacteria that are naturally present on the Glans / Head of your penis - if you are still swimming regularly you may not be using the best penile hygiene regime, particularly in terms of protecting and washing the Glans of your penis.
Whatever your circumstances try this for at least 5 or 6 weeks:
prevent as far as possible, soap, or shower gel, hair shampoo etc., or skin cream / lotion or any form of lube (oil based particularly) from getting on your penis. Always wash with water ONLY (never hot water) after urinating (in public toilets go in a cubicle and use toilet paper to ensure the head and surrounding area is 100% dry) when showering – if possible, make sure the skin of the penis is drawn forward to cover the head to protect the area from soap / shower gel, etc. getting on it. At the end of the shower - make sure the entire penis is 100% dry afterwards.
If you are still swimming regularly, try finding a way in which you 'wear' your foreskin so that your glans is completely covered before you get in the water - simply draw the foreskin as far forward -m away from your body as it will comfortably go.
Additionally, you could have another penile condition going on such as some form of balanitis, or simply a form of dermatological reaction in your penile skin, and / or you may have foreskin issues - although again, this is likely to be linked to the actual condition you have in existence from when you were given a phone prescription.
In brief then, i.) if you are still applying a cortisteroid/anti fungal - what is the name of it? - ii.) put in place the penile Hygiene regime and practices I have detailed above, iii.) if there is no improvement after 4 or 5 months you could look at getting another opinion, particularly from a Dermatologist or a Urologist - you can ask your GP to refer you to one, or simply, go to a Specialist Sexual Health Service, such as a GUM Clinic at a General Hospital / NHS Sexual Health Centre