What are these white patches? Is it due to pigmentation or a skin condition?
James, I faced a situation like this best part of 10 years ago. Some basic info is required from you: is the whitening internal to the skin would you say? If you rubbed the soft part of a fingertip gently over this does the skin feel in any way rough, say, compared to the skin on the top of your glans / head of penis?
Is the skin where this is slightly raised from, again, the skin surrounding it?
If you want a medical professional to check this for you a Dermatologist would be the best, particularly if you can find one who deals with genital skin disorders (I can help you further with this depending on your answers to the above). Or, I take it you are in the UK, go to a GUM Clinic at a General Hospital - they may refer you directly to a Dermatologist - they may even have one as part of their regular team, rather than see your GP then get a referral …
Hi mate thanks for your reply.
In response to your questions, I would not say the skin feels rough, it feels the same. Also the skin seems to be raised to a small degree on the biggest patch, however it’s hard to tell.
I’ve since attended a GUM clinic several times in the last six months as I began to develop Balanitis for the first time to make matters worse (which has recently just cleared up last week). The first worker of the clinic said the white patches seem to be a skin condition of some sort and referred me to see the skin specialist of the clinic. So the skin then said ‘‘It’s hard to tell what the white patches are and also I’m not going to prescribe you any ointments of some sort until your Balanitis has cleared up, in the meantime get a referral from your GP to see a dermatologist’’.
So… I then went to see my general practitioner two weeks ago where I was told the white patches are fordyce spots (however that’s why I came on this site to get a second opinion as I feel I was being fobbed off with advice).
Thoughts?
(Spelling mistake)
** So the skin specialist, of the clinic said ‘‘It’s hard to tell what the white patches are and also I’m not going to prescribe you any ointments of some sort until your Balanitis has cleared up, in the meantime get a referral from your GP to see a dermatologist’’.
So I would say it is most likely you do have a skin condition of some sort, the only question is the severity of the condition. Fordyce Spots do not usually present in this way, but there could be an outside chance.
Sort out the appointment with the Dermatologist - DO NOT leave it, if you actually have a skin condition, and if you get the correct treatment in place now it would make managing the condition easier and the outcome for you better.
Please update your Forum Post here after you have seen the Dermatologist - if the GP won’t refer you try the GUM Clinic again, or if you have a main Walk-In Sexual Health Service you could try them, or phone and say how to you get to see a Genital Skin Conditions Dermatologist …
Thanks will update you once I get it sorted. generally dermatology appointments take 3months on the NHS so will have to wait not unless i pay for private until then.
The person who said get a referral from your GP should have referred you directly.
You can by-pass the waiting list if you go a major GUM Clinic or Sexual Health Service as they are more likely to have a Dermatologist as part of the team.
Say you need to make sure this is not early onset of Lichen Sclerosus or even Penile Cancer …
Update: I have been referred to the Adult General Dermatology clinic - Mortimer Market Centre WC1E 6JB (for Mid February). I will call the clinic next week to see if there are any cancellation appointments.
… I am still never surprised by a lack of basic knowledge of genital skin conditions. If you get another vague response it is a Genital Skin Disorders Dermatologist you would need to see. Update following Derm appointment anyway …
Any updates? I have exactly the same problem for about two years, I spent a lot of money and waste a lot of time, but no one said what is exactly! I’m so tired and confused…
These white spots do not cause any suffering, the skin is completely flat and smooth. My dermatologist said that there is nothing to worry about and no reason to worry, it doesn’t look lie LS. But the problem is that these white spots are constantly spreading.
I have seen many men on the Internet forums with similar symptoms. But they all have one and the same problem - no doctor can say what the problem is and how to treat it!
John, it is difficult to know the spots you are talking about without seeing images of the them. I suggest you start a Ned Discussion and attach 1 or 2 photos clearly showing what you have …
These white patches look exactly the same, like on the photos above. Elidel doesn’t have any effect, but Protopic seems to me stop the process of spreading, but I’m not sure
Sorry, did mean “New Discussion”
any update? I’ve the exact same thing!
Any update of the situation?
Hello please can you tell us how this situation ended?