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What Causes White Discoloration Of The Penis?

Posted on Fri, 4 Nov 2016

Question: White discoloration of penis. Started on the head and now working down the shaft. My urologist says it is scarring from fungal infections, dermatologist says it is vitiligo and on line doctors on this site say lichen sclerosis. How can I treat it if nobody knows for sure what it is?

Answered by Dr. Dr. P. T. Patil (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Please upload photograph of the penis

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for query .
Based on the facts that you have posted the patch of white discoloration that you have developed on glans penis is most likely to be due to what is called as Ballanitis Xerotica Obliterance (BXO) in a initial stage .

It is a progressive disease variant of Lichen Sclerosis which usually starts over glans penis and gradually spreads to urethra and shaft of the penis .

I shall be happy if you can post me photographs of your penis to help me in making precise comments on your problem. You can simply upload/attach them at the reports section.

Unfortunately there is no medication invented so far to cure it permanently. However using topical steroid(Cream) does help to slow down progress of the disease .

Hope I have answered your query, please feel free to ask if you have more questions , I shall be happy to help you .

Thanks and Regards.
Dr.Patil.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee

Follow up: Dr. Dr. P. T. Patil (13 hours later)

Will post photos as soon as possible. Was there anything I could have done to prevent this? I asked my urologist about this possibility and he said it was definitely scarring due to fungal infections (which I didn't even know I had).

Answered by Dr. Dr. P. T. Patil (4 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
There is no way you can prevent BXO

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for follow up . BXO s a variant of Lichen Sclerosis an autoimmune disorder hence can not be prevented..

Thanks and Regards.
Dr.Patil.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Dr. P. T. Patil (13 hours later)

As promised, I have sent you photos. I have noticed the white areas cracking or flaking and red spots expanding. Will the white spots shrink as I heal?

Answered by Dr. Dr. P. T. Patil (9 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
It unlikely that it will heal

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for follow up and uploading photographs ..

Since it is in initial stage it is very difficult to predict whether it will heal up or not .

If it is proved on a time and again to be BXO there are no chances of healing it.

You have to observe the progress of the lesion for few months .

ill then use topical steroids .

Thanks and Regards
Dr.Patil.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. P. T. Patil (10 hours later)

I have a dermatology appointment in early November. Hope to get some definite answers then. Is there a surgical option for this disease?

Answered by Dr. Dr. P. T. Patil (16 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
No ,There is no surgical option

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for follow up .

There is no surgical option in this disease .

Thanks and Regards.
Dr.Patil.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar