Recurring Red Rash and Red Bumps on Penis Head, and over three months.

Men's health
1
Hello everyone, I'm just about 30 years old and I am uncircumcised. My foreskin is a bit tight, but it is easily pulled back when flaccid. I've been having this same issue for a few months now. My meatus (urethra) looks slightly inflamed. There’s a red rash of red bumps that show up on my penis head and it varies on where it shows up from time to time. There is no discharge anywhere. I’ve noticed it can get worse after taking a hot shower/bath/masturbation. ___________________________________________________ Pictures provided below without using anything below.

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Picture after using Nystatin below.

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Picture after using CeraVe moisturizer below.

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___________________________________________________ Possible remedies Nystatin 100,000 unit/gram topical powder - helps keep the redness down when applying regularly. Diflucan - haven’t tried yet, but might help, apparently it could have worse side effects than the above though. Diflucan vs. Nystatin https://www.rxlist.com/diflucan_vs_nystatin/drugs-condition.htm CeraVe moisturizer - applying this 2x daily helps keep the irritation down to a minimum. ___________________________________________________ This unknown issue started occurring a while back around June. On 07/02/2020, I got a full STD test with blood and urine that all came back NEGATIVE for the following; Chlamydia trachomatis RNA, TMA, Urigenital Neisseria gonorrhoeae RNA, TMA, Urigenital HIV AG/AB, 4th gen Hepatitis B surface antigen Hepatitis C antibody HSV 1 IGM screen (herpes) HSV 2 IGM screen (herpes) RPR (DX) w/refl titer and confirmatory testing (syphilis) ___________________________________________________ Later that month, my symptoms were not improving, on 07/23/2020, I went to a GP and he looked at it and said it is just a case of balanitis/jock itch. I went to the store and got Lamisil like he suggested. However, I didn’t notice much of an improvement so I then filled the prescription he gave me for (nystatin 100,000 unit/gram topical powder). I’ve read many forums like this one searching for answers as to what it might be. I also read online that balanitis could last for a month or so. It has been going on a few months now, but It’s still not gone, so I went back to the GP again on 09/21/2020 and did a urine test for the two listed below not previously tested for after it being mentioned on some forums here as a possible cause, but both came back NEGATIVE, specifically the following two; Trichomonas vaginalis RNA qualitative TMA, males Sureswab(r), mycoplasma genitalium, realtime, PCR Trichomonas is hard to detect from what I’ve read. If I’m not mistaken, a urine sample is better than a swab test concerning the detection rate. ___________________________________________________ Within the week of 10/05/2020, I did another full panel STD blood and urine test for peace of mind, and it all came back NEGATIVE again. The below list was what was tested. However, it didn’t include herpes, but I tested negative for that a few months back anyways. RPR (DX) w/refl titer and confirmatory testing (syphilis) Chlamydia trachomatis RNA, TMA, Urigenital Neisseria gonorrhoeae RNA, TMA, Urigenital Hepatitis C antibody Hepatitis B surface antigen HIV AG/AB, 4th gen Trichomonas vaginalis RNA qualitative TMA, males Sureswab(r), mycoplasma genitalium, realtime, PCR ___________________________________________________ To sum it up, The nystatin powder helped to keep the redness down, but if I stopped using it then the red spots/redness came back. This makes me think it is some kind of fungus, but I’m still unsure because moisturizer also seems to help keeping inflammation to a minimum? Another guess I have is that it could be a chronic case of zoon’s balanitis? Some people here think it could be a strain of HPV (could last a few years)? My GP also suggested circumcision possibly, but I’ve seen others on here that are circumcised that also have issues like mine and I’d rather not go the route of adult circumcision anyways. ___________________________________________________ 11/07/2020, latest update: I stopped using Nystatin back around the beginning of October, and instead, l just put CeraVe moisturizer on my penis once or twice a day. I’ve noticed the redness doesn’t get inflamed and there’s less occurrence of red bumps. I am holding off on going to a Urologist my GP referred me to for the time being. I’ll update this post later if I find out what else it could potentially be when I end up going to a urologist.
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So, quite a lot of information here - which is helpful in terms of useful information, unfortunately this is really difficult for me to do, to reflect upon and give you meaningful suggestions. So, from what I can gather: . - are you sexually active, if so do you have unprotected penetrative on a regular basis, such as the time during which this issue has existed, or do you always use condoms? - NEVER let HOT water contact your penile skin, even hot in a shower or bath can be too much for the much more sensitive skin of the foreskin, and particularly, on the head / glans of penis - have you seen a Dermatologist - try to avoid masturbation or greatly restrict until this is resolved A dermatologist who has a detailed understanding of the issues involved in genital skin problems would be the most helpful - these are often based at the largest sexual health service providers or at larger hospitals where specialist treatment facilities and units are based .....

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im in the same boat to a certain extent. Mine was triggered by receiving oral sex earlier this year. Spoke to alot of health care professionals took a number of tests and nobody can help. not sure what else i can do.

most red, bumpy and inflamed when erect and then wrinkled after masturbation. Please let us know if you work it out.

what caused tours to start? could it be trauma related?

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  • Yes, I am sexually active with one partner, exclusively, for a number of months now. However, neither of us have a high sex drive I'd say, and no, we don't use protection when we do have sex.

  • I have always taken hot showers and baths, but as of lately I've tried to keep it to a minimum because of this issue.

  • I have not yet seen a dermatologist, but should I see one before seeing a urologist?

  • I don't masturbate much, and more so less because of this issue.

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I'm not sure what caused it to occur to be quite honest. For all I know it could have been while receiving oral as well. I'm hoping a urologist or possibly a dermatologist would be able to help more so over my GP.

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So to briefly make sense of why I asked: condoms could have been particularly harmful in terms of what you have going on. I would say it is an essential to avoid hot water completely - this would cause distress to any penile skin, when you have issues going on this impact is multiplied several times, at least. Yes, if you can see a dermatologist that has particular knowledge of sexual health related issues that would be most helpful for you - you may need to have an ongoing working relationship with a urologist and dermatologist. If you have not seen a dermatologist then I would say this is a critical element of getting to terms with what is going on, and is currently the highest priority I would suggest. And again, sex and masturbation will only further exacerbate problem issues Good Luck !

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Hi mate,

Also in the same boat. Only ever had the one sexual partner, mine started after a bit of a rough session. I recall on the night the skin had been damaged, almost like friction burns. Thought nothing of it, it healed a few days later but then eventually I've had nothing but this rash for 18 or so months.. I've tried antifungal creams, pills, antibiotic creams and pills. Antifungals with Hydrocortisone, some strong strength steroid cream (fucibet) nothing has worked. Been back and forth the GP's a few times, they're not concerned, told me to moisturise and it'll go, yet here I am. Paid to see a dermatologist who just prescribed another steroid, said it's dermatitis and friction could aggravate it. Running out of hope at this point. I've cut out masturbation and sex for the last week or so in the hope it's just that I've been causing continuous trauma with that and not allowed adequate time for healing. Also worth noting I've been screened for STI's/STD's and they're all clear. I've also tried applying nothing, feel like if I don't moisturise, retract foreskin when urinating and wash with water afterwards that the symptoms just get worse and worse!

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Yep a year down the line here and still no resolution. If anyone finds a decent private doctor then let me know. Im running out of ideas. Have thrown antibiotics at it to no avail. Told its not likely to be fungal and doctors dismiss viral ie. HPV. Not sure what Im left with. Recap - red rash, primarily under foreskin, can go 'shiny', looks like small cracks in glans, settled in the morning but gets worse throughout the day

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+1

Symptoms sound like mine. have tried oil, moisturiser, anti fungal, washing often, no soap, drying after pee, no masturbation or sex, walking all day with foreskin retracted

Tested all available std tests here and urine culture, nothing

Nothing seems to remove it fully but moisturiser and no friction is working fairly good.

its very stressful and steels alot of focus. do you think you can infect others? Hope one of us can find a cure.

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Have you seen a dermatologist or a urologist? After my last dermo only offering a steroid cream I'm thinking if going to a urologist next (not sure if they'll offer anything further).

The last few days I've abstained from any sort of creams. Honestly, it's been 1.5 years of constant application that I just thought my skin needs a break. First two days the area was really red. But it's somewhat settled now, by no means cured but not as bad as the initial withdrawal of creams.

I'll keep you posted how it's going, I'm not expecting a miracle. May try and get another GP appointment before paying for a urologist privately. Ideally, I think after dealing with this for 18 months and trying a vast majority of treatment avenues, I need a biopsy. I may mention this to the GP and see what he/she says. I've seen others with similar symptoms on this forum have biopsies done and it's just come back as nonspecific dermatitis/balanitis. Who knows.

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I'm thinking it's more so a skin condition, but I've yet to figure out what exactly. Moisterizer does help, and given the pandemic I've held off on going to urologist I was referred to...eventually I'll go though. Although, a dermatologist might be better as some have mentioned.

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Just thought I'd keep you all updated. So here's a summary of what I had been doing previously: *Applying creams, whether this be steroid, fungal, antibiotics or just moisturiser pretty much daily since noticing the red patch. Not all together but just some trialling through the 18 months. * Every time I would urinate, i would draw back the foreskin to prevent urine getting on the head and would clean the area every time with cold water and pat dry. Stopped using soap as soon as i noticed the red patch in the first place.

I figured that my skin was becoming reliant on creams and not producing its natural moisture as the foreskin was sticking to the glans on retraction without creams. This got me thinking is the constant "peeling effect" of this aggravating the glans? Obviously masturbation or sex would then be a nightmare!

So i ditched the creams, went cold turkey, the head was very red and sore for about 2 days, settled somewhat on the 3/4th (when I last posted). Now I'm on day 6 and the glans seem normal, maybe a little pink than i remember (but it's been so long of it being red maybe I've forgotten how it looked?).

I've also stopped retracting the skin to urinate so its not drying out the area's natural moisture and I've also stopped washing after urinating. Just once in the morning. Trying to check it less also as the constant retracting of skin will aggravate.

I'll check back in again but it's looking promising.

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ive dealing with this for more than 5 years now! this year I got done a biopsy and it came back with non especific dermatitis. I regret have it done, now i have a red rash and a visible scar down there :(. Please let me know if you find the cure. by the way, the most "succesful" treatment i've had is mupirocin with aqupahor applied twice for 2 weeks. the problem is that the redness will come back in one day or two when cutting all the creams. and by the way, one of my sexual partners got infected by ureaplasma and mycoplsma after having unprotected sex with me, however urologists have always dismissed that possiblity. i've never undergo a robust antibiotic treatment, just the topical mupirocin.

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hey man! dont do it!!! i had the same thought after dealing for 5 years with this and got the biopsy done on september. Worst decision of my life. as you said, it came back with "non specific alterations". so now i have a red rash AND a visible non stethic scar down there. however, ive read a lot of forums, and some guys refer to have cured their recurrent balanitis with a robust antibiotic treatment. have you undergo some antibiotics?

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damn im 18, in the same boat as you. keep us updated!

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This might be completely unrelated, but late last year around October I did move from a very humid and sea level area that I’ve lived my whole life to the opposite, which is specifically a high elevation and very dry place. That’s why I’m thinking it might have to do more so with dryness. Although this issue started earlier this year...

Also, I might clean too much down there and irritated it enough to make it like this now or by being too rough one time or used some product to damage the natural skin possibly.

That’s why I’m thinking that moisturizing helps keep it down, and like you say maybe now it relies upon products too much to keep moisturized. I’ll try to slowly use less and less moisturizing products and see if there’s any improvement without the aid of products along with less retraction of my foreskin. When I do get erect it does retract though, well to at least the bottom of my glans.

I’ll eventually go to a urologist once corona calms down again some and see what they say.

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5 years is a long time! Hopefully we’ll all have some kind of solution sooner than later. I’m starting to think mine is also some form of non-specific dermatitis. I’ve thought about a biopsy myself, but scarring would be an issue, and you say it’s quite noticeable?

Also, I’ll have to look into mupirocin with aqupahor possibly, but moisturizing seems to keep it non agitated for the time being, and I’m going to try to lessen products first rather then switching to another, because maybe now it relies upon products too much which isn’t good either.

I did get tested for mycoplasma twice and both came back negative, but I also read that it’s hard to detect in general. I haven’t looked into testing for ureaplasma though, I’ll have to look into that some more later and mention it whenever i do go to a urologist. Like you, I’d rather not go through antibiotics if possible, especially me not knowing exactly what is causing the issue.

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If helps I've tried mupirocin plus a number of antibiotics (Doxy, Co-Amoxy, Levo) none of which have made any difference. Doctors state its a skin condition

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Hey i'm in the same position and desperate to go back to how life was. I've changed as a person because of this. Been 9 months and no resolution.

NHS have been poor and left me just saying it is in my head. Its not. I have gone private and have an appointment with urologist this week and also a gastro specialist in a couple of weeks who will test stools and put a camera up my bum i think. I have anal issues, such as loose stools and hurts slightly to poo and feels like burns after. I also have the inflamed dry glans mainly when erect.

This 100% started when receiving owo nothing else.

I have tested positive for ureaplasma but the GP said everyone has it and left me there. So could be associated, although seen others have smashed some hard antibiotics which havent worked.

Tried 400mg of Acliovir for herpes supression as thought it could be that. That didnt help. I personally think hsv related. They dont test for this generally in the UK so unsure of my status, also if it did come back saying i had it i could of had this from other past encounters.

I will keep you updated. After this im not sure where to go. I'm hoping the gastro sees something as not seen many people exploring this option.

Good luck and please keep me in the loop.

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Sorry to hear about NHS, but I hope your visit to the urologist or gastro specialist has some kind of solution. Please update me as well if you find any possible solutions going forward.

I tested negative 2x for mycoplasma, and from what I understand ureaplasma is a subset of mycoplasma basically, but still hard to detect in general. "Ureaplasma belongs to a class of bacteria known as Mycoplasma" per a quick google search I just did.

I probably won't go to a Urologist until at least December, but it largely depends upon how bad COVID-19 is. I'm also going to research a good one to go to beforehand since some aren't that great.