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Suggest Treatment For Inflammation Of The End Of The Penis

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Posted on Thu, 23 Apr 2015
Question: I recently had to take antibiotics for a lung infection and one side effect was inflation of the penis.....possibly balinitis...caused by the antibiotics upsetting the natural balance of bacteria and fungus on and in my body. I have tried a cream called Daktacort to target the balinitis/thrush and this is improving but now my foreskin is getting very dry and brittle and makes any sexual activity painful. How can I restore my foreskin to its natural state ?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (52 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
stop the corticosteroid

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

various levels of discomfort are expected during the course of balanitis. If it's a yeast indeed, then the corticosteroid cream cannot help, unless there is intense inflammation (redness, swelling). If the inflammation has subsided then using an antifungal only cream may be more effective.

Using the cream for at least a few days after every sign and symptom of balanitis has disappeared, is essential to avoid recurrence. Keep the glans clean and dry. Use water only to do that and dry with a soft cloth afterwards. Do not use the same cloth the next day!

If no improvement can be seen after 2-3 days then visiting your doctor is recommended.

I hope I've helped!
Contact me again, if you'd like more information.

Kind Regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (11 minutes later)
Thank you for your reply which covers the issue of the balanitis but does not answer my principle question about my dry and inelastic foreskin.
The original problem was red and inflamed head of the penis as well as swollen foreskin. There was also peeling skin with the inflammation but these problems were all around the concealed parts of the penis and therefore around the head and inside of the fore skin around the head of the penis. I was recommended to take Daktacort 2%/1% W/W cream (miconazole nitrate and hydrocortisone). This has helped a lot but I am coming up to a week of using the cream and I would not say I am totally cured of the original problem.
Now another problem has occurred and that is that my foreskin has become dry and inelastic and painful when stretched and makes sexual activity painful.
So my main question to you was how to cure this problem and restore the normal texture of my foreskin, elasticity and allow normal activity. Please can you answer this properly and fully.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (6 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Stopping the corticosteroid might help!

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

perhaps I should be more explicit this time. The cream that you used, contains - as you've correctly pointed out - an antifungal and a corticosteroid component. The corticosteroid drug helps with inflammation at first but it also resists yeast eradication and may also alter the skin's elasticity. Using a cream that contains the antifungal component only may help you complete the eradication of the fungus and also stop weakening the skin (caused by the corticosteroid).

I hope it's more clear this time!
I'll be glad to provide more clarifications, if needed.

Kind Regards!
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
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Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis

Internal Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :1999

Answered : 3810 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Inflammation Of The End Of The Penis

Brief Answer: stop the corticosteroid Detailed Answer: Hello, various levels of discomfort are expected during the course of balanitis. If it's a yeast indeed, then the corticosteroid cream cannot help, unless there is intense inflammation (redness, swelling). If the inflammation has subsided then using an antifungal only cream may be more effective. Using the cream for at least a few days after every sign and symptom of balanitis has disappeared, is essential to avoid recurrence. Keep the glans clean and dry. Use water only to do that and dry with a soft cloth afterwards. Do not use the same cloth the next day! If no improvement can be seen after 2-3 days then visiting your doctor is recommended. I hope I've helped! Contact me again, if you'd like more information. Kind Regards!