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Suggest Treatment For A Red Spot On The Glans Penis

Posted on Sat, 30 Jul 2016

Question: I am 75 years old. When I roll up the foreskin of my penis, I find a small patch of red pigmentation on the glans penis. The size is about 2 cms radius and it is more or less circular. This has been there for the last 3 months or more. It is not bothering me. However, I find a viscous discharge sometimes below the foreskin. There is mild itching at times. I want to reassure myself that there is nothing serious before going to a dermatologist attached to a hospital (like Apollo or Fortis).I have attached a photo taken with my cell phone.

Answered by Dr. Asmeet Kaur Sawhney (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Seems to be zoon's balanitis

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for being at healthcaremagic
I am Dr Asmeet Kaur Sawhney, a dermatologist.
I have reviewed the attached photograph and it is looking like zoon's balanitis.
It is a chronic reactive irritant dermatosis of the glans penis.
You should consult a dermatologist and get it to examined clinically and by going for a biopsy if required.
It is usually treated by application of topical steroid creams although chances of relapse and persistance are high with that.
Circumcision is curative treatment.
Regards
Dr Asmeet

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Asmeet Kaur Sawhney (39 minutes later)

Thanks a lot, doctor, for the detailed reply. I will consult a dermatologist at the earliest. Your suggestion to have biopsy done worries me. Do you suspect anything more serious than mere dermatosis? Can you be XXXXXXX and let me know if they are more serious possibilities? I will have peace of mind if you can let me know more details.

(Doctor, I was associated with pharmaceutical industry and was heading the training department of XXXXXXX at the time of retirement and this 'half-baked' knowledge is one reason for my imagining other possibilities. I hope you will pardon me for this.)

Answered by Dr. Asmeet Kaur Sawhney (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Biopsy will help in excluding other differentials

Detailed Answer:
Looking at the picture it seems to be zoon's balanitis most likely but other close differentials are erosive lichen planus, erythroplasia of queyrat or psoriasis.
Rarely premalignant condition like bowenoid papulosis and penile cancer often have zoon's balanitis like changes clinically, so it is better to exclude all these conditions to be on a safer side.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng

Follow up: Dr. Asmeet Kaur Sawhney (23 minutes later)

Thank you so much,doctor. I am now clear that I should not delay seeing a dermatologist. Thanks again.

Answered by Dr. Asmeet Kaur Sawhney (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Welcome!!

Detailed Answer:
Welcome!!
All the best!!

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. Nagamani Ng