I've had some kind of blobs which look like round tears on the surface of penis head skin for a while, it got worse a few weeks ago, and I think I overdid the washing with cold water as I thought good hygiene might fix it, it has now spread to the foreskin, and the edge of the sore skin started turning dry and scaly. I am going to go to a urologist as soon as possible but in the meantime, any advice on what I might be dealing with? One possibility for aggravation are condoms I bought a while back, when there were no other options at the convenience store, which have different fruit flavors. Not sure if that is the cause or just a potential aggravating factor though. Have not been sexually active now in this condition for a few weeks now, gets worse when erect.
Looks like phimosis combined with balanitis due to chemical irritation from condoms
Consult a dermatologist.
Hi, this is exactly how my penis looked immediately before being diagnosed with Balanitis Xerotica Obliterans (BXO), or Lichen Sclerosus (LS) for short. BXO is the male specific version of LS and the condoms are likely to have been an aggravating factor only as the condition takes sometime to develop. It is possible you have a severe Dermatological condition and the only way to confirm the presence of LS / BXO is to have a medical Biopsy (slight discomfort only, so go for this if it is offered to you!).
You are right to sort out your penile hygiene regime and I will post some general things to be aware of at the bottom of this message. You also need to keep all chemicals away from the head of your penis such as soap, shower gels, lubes, condoms, skin lotion / creams - wash with warm water and DRY immediately after you have washed carefully so as not to cause further skin damage.
The Urologist should give you a steroidal topical ointment and you should see real improvement within a few days or certainly well-within 3 weeks -go back if there is no improvement. DO NOT get talked into having circumcision as this is the ‘sledge-hammer’ to crack a nut approach and may not even cure your LS / BXO should it prove that that is what you have.
Have you noticed a tightening of your foreskin? Irrespective of what actual condition you have, the first medication to try should be a steroid ointment called Clobetasol and there are several brand names for this. If you have LS / BXO you will need to stretch your foreskin regularly as this is one of the accompanying impacts of the condition is a tightening of the foreskin and potential complications with your meatus (your pee-hole).
Once you have seen the Urologist you can update this Forum post and I can give you further advice on what to do irrespective of whether you have LS / BXO or not, including Dietary, Vitamin and Mineral supplement issues you will need to be aware of for LS / BXO and to put in place to help your penile skin to be as healthy as possible. … here is my general advice …
Penile Hygiene Protocol to Combat Penile Problems
In the mean time abstain from applying anything at all to your penis - wash the head / glans with water only, dry 100% immediately afterwards, draw your foreskin as far forward as you can each time you shower to protect the head, once you have thoroughly rinsed everything off, expose the head of your penis and rub with the inside of your hand only. Don’t apply any Lubes, Baby Oil, Moisturiser or Skin Creams / Lotions to it. If you are sexually active, or Masturbate, clear away any fluids from the entire surface of the head of your penis as soon as you can. If you use condoms regularly try doing without the need to use them for a few weeks, or find ones for sensitive skin if you cannot avoid using them altogether!
By doing all these things hopefully you will get a positive reaction. Stay in touch …
Thanks for the replies.
I went to the urologist today, and did a simple urine STD check which came up clean. Doctor said it might be balanitis and prescribed a cream, which after googling seems to be a form of lac-hydrin cream with Clotrimazole 10 mg/g, Hydrocortisone 10 mg/g. I was instructed to vapply the cream very lightly once a day to the foreskin and glans. Also to keep my foreskin peeled back at all times if possible.
As predicted in the post above, the doctor also recommended circumcision, which in the country I’m living in will be approximately $280, under local anaesthetic, then bandages for 2 days, and recovery after 3 weeks according the doctor. To be honest I am willing to consider it if it will decrease the chances of these kinds of issues re-occuring.