Is this normal Balanitis?

Men's health
1

Hi There,

I have had problems with my penis since my teenage years. It started with phimosis, but by about 2015/2016, I had stretched my foreskin back to normal, although much frenulum is still a little tight. 

However, once my foreskin could retract, it revealed inflammation on my glans. In 2016 I went to see my doctor, who said it was balanitis. I had already been using clotrimaze cream to no avail, but he swabbed my penis and also gave me the oral anti-fugal medication. The test came back negative anyway, so he concluded that it must have been psoriasis. I tried two different steroid creams, which also made no difference, so he referred me to a dermatologist.

The derm also said I had psoriasis, and also non-specific urethritis, but was unsure of the cause. He gave me a different steroid cream which made no difference either.

I am now just living with it - my penis seems to be very sensitive and chronically more red than it should be, but I use Aveeno daily, which keeps in under control. 

I have been tested recently for STIs an am all clear.

About 2 months ago, I went on a course of strong antibiotics which is know to cause thrush. I broke out in dry, itchy skin, which then turned into small pussy white spots. By the time I got to see the doctor, it was gone and the doctor said it was probably just a yeast infection. STI rest was negative.

However, about three weeks ago I had the dual antibiotics for gonorrhoea (as cautionary method, STI test was negative). Since about a week show my penis became red, irritated, dry and very wrinkly. Different appearance to be last yeast infection. I have been using canestenvon it for about 5 days now, twice a day, with Aveeno. However, now the glans seems to be almost peeling. I am not sure whether this means the infected skin is dying and new skin is coming through, or whether it is getting worse. 

I never was my penis with soap, only warm water in the shower. However I have some gut problems, which may be why antibiotics make me so succeptabkecto yeast infection. However, I am wondering now whether I maybe have Zoon’s Balanitis? 

I have attached a picture of the peeling skin. Does this look like the Balanitis is healing? I will persevere with the clotrimazole and Aveeno and see what happens. 

Any opinion will be appreciated. Just before I broke out in this, I ordered some Man1 Man Oil online, so I am hopeful that (once the yeast infection is gone), it may help to moisturise my glans and make it less red. 

2

I have suffered with Balanitis since my early 20's and I have had everything circumcision Biopsy tested for Cancer as my brother had penile problems but I got all the clear. My is its always itchy and smelly always in shower. washing so not sure if its to much washing it a doctor once diagnosed me with allergic reaction to perfumed soaps. But I would keep going back to the doctors get the right medication for you it could be allergic reaction to something or its itchy and maybe with the right treatment it will clear up

3

The new skin under the peeling skin looks healthier, so my guess is that what you’re doing now is helping.

4

Hello! 

First of all if you've got sensitive skin and stomach issues, perhaps the first step is to stop taking all these things which your doctor prescribes. It might all upset the skin more than it is in the first place and disturb the ballance. The skin on my glans peels from time to time if it gets sore. I've got skin issues various places on my body and over all got a sensitive skin, eczema and allergies. In the past I got fungal cream for my penis prescribed and by coinsidense I found out later that the test had came back clear and that I didn't have a fungas infection at all and used the cream for months of no reason and with no effect. Doctors seem to assume a lot of stuff without doing the proper checking and therefore prescribe too much stuff without reason. This's no good. It  needs to stop. Maybe you should ensure to not leave your foreskin and  glans wet after showering and also gently wash and dry after sex or masturbation, as leaving it wet from  water, sperm etc. might cause irritation if the skin is sensitive. At least it does for me. Keeping moisturized might be a good thing though, if that works for you, also during masturbation and sex, if you use something suitable, which you can tolerate . It might spare the glans and  foreskin for some of the friction the movement makes during the action. Good luck with everything 👍