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Question: Hello! I've been having this problem for a few years now. Tried anti-fungal creams and various moisturizing and hand creams. Nothing helps. There is some whitish deposit on a part of my foreskin, like a ring around the shaft, which I can wash off but the skin in that area remains reddish and easily cracks during pretty much any attempt of sexual activity. The cracks are very small and sometimes hard to see but the pain and burning sensation are terrible. Sometimes when this happens I can see a few drops of blood on the skin. I don't have any medical history being otherwise quite healthy. I am 54, 172 cm, 80 kg. This really affects my life. I went to a GP two times. Both times I was prescribed anti-fungal cream. The last time with some steroid added I believe. I am very hesitant on using steroid creams as I read that they can result in thinning the skin, which already seems awfully thin in the affected area. Perhaps I should mention that I think I had phimosis when I was young. It is embarrassing but my first sexual experience when I was young was terribly painful because that was the first time my foreskin actually stretched enough to let the glans completely out. It is not a problem anymore but maybe there is some remaining effect... I am going to upload a picture.
Thanks.
Thanks.
Brief Answer:
Never apply steroid creams.
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXX and welcome to HCM.
As an Urologist,i can understand your concern.
You've done a good thing,by posting a picture of the penis.
There appears to be minimal whitish area,that doesn't appear to be significant.
It may be the sediments from your ointment or smegma.
You've also done a good thing,avoiding steroid based creams,as it's not indicated.
You should maintain good penile hygiene and avoid moisture over that area.
Use only moisturing creams or even vaseline,if you feel the skin is dry.
There's no need to use anti-fungal ointments either.
Avoid having rough sex,which can cause small bruises over the skin and bleeding.
In case you're having sex with multilple partners,do the following tests :
'blood routine,RBS,LFT,VDRL,HbsAg,and HIV.
The present condition, has nothing to do with your past phimosis.
Hope your doubts are cleared.
Wish you good health.
Dr.Matthew J. Mangat.
Never apply steroid creams.
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXX and welcome to HCM.
As an Urologist,i can understand your concern.
You've done a good thing,by posting a picture of the penis.
There appears to be minimal whitish area,that doesn't appear to be significant.
It may be the sediments from your ointment or smegma.
You've also done a good thing,avoiding steroid based creams,as it's not indicated.
You should maintain good penile hygiene and avoid moisture over that area.
Use only moisturing creams or even vaseline,if you feel the skin is dry.
There's no need to use anti-fungal ointments either.
Avoid having rough sex,which can cause small bruises over the skin and bleeding.
In case you're having sex with multilple partners,do the following tests :
'blood routine,RBS,LFT,VDRL,HbsAg,and HIV.
The present condition, has nothing to do with your past phimosis.
Hope your doubts are cleared.
Wish you good health.
Dr.Matthew J. Mangat.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hello Dr. Mangat,
Thank you for your response. I am guessing my photograph was not too good, since you didn't notice much of a problem. The whitish sediments are not from any ointment as I haven't used any for at least a week and I don't think it is smegma either. I am not talking about the area immediately under the glans. Hygiene and moisturizing creams help to keep it sort of under control but really it is not good enough as I've now been forced to avoid pretty much any sex. At best I get strong burning sensation, but in many cases the skin would actually crack and I get excruciating pain. I am also concerned about whether this could be dangerous for my partner, especially when doing oral sex and if she is a bit too active it can still be painful for me.
Mostly I have a single partner but occasionally a second one. When this problem appeared first time it was actually some days after I had sex with that second partner for a few days first time. I didn't realize that my skin cracked. I went to a doctor who diagnosed yeast infection and prescribed clotrimazol if I remember correctly. He also did tests for STDs but nothing was found. Basically, since then my life hasn't been the same. I still meet with that other partner approximately once a year for a few days.
Thanks.
Thank you for your response. I am guessing my photograph was not too good, since you didn't notice much of a problem. The whitish sediments are not from any ointment as I haven't used any for at least a week and I don't think it is smegma either. I am not talking about the area immediately under the glans. Hygiene and moisturizing creams help to keep it sort of under control but really it is not good enough as I've now been forced to avoid pretty much any sex. At best I get strong burning sensation, but in many cases the skin would actually crack and I get excruciating pain. I am also concerned about whether this could be dangerous for my partner, especially when doing oral sex and if she is a bit too active it can still be painful for me.
Mostly I have a single partner but occasionally a second one. When this problem appeared first time it was actually some days after I had sex with that second partner for a few days first time. I didn't realize that my skin cracked. I went to a doctor who diagnosed yeast infection and prescribed clotrimazol if I remember correctly. He also did tests for STDs but nothing was found. Basically, since then my life hasn't been the same. I still meet with that other partner approximately once a year for a few days.
Thanks.
Brief Answer:
Reports of the tests needed for expert advice.
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
As you've had multiple partners,it's best that you get the tests advised earlier.
If done in the last one month,the reports of all the tests listed,may be sent here.
If done before that or not done,it's best to do them and send all the reports.
Till the reports are available,avoid sex with either partner.
Just ask your partners,if either of them,has itching or discharge,in the genital region.
In case they do give a history of that,they should get a check-up by a gynecologist.
Wish you well.
Dr.Matthew J. Mangat.
Reports of the tests needed for expert advice.
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
As you've had multiple partners,it's best that you get the tests advised earlier.
If done in the last one month,the reports of all the tests listed,may be sent here.
If done before that or not done,it's best to do them and send all the reports.
Till the reports are available,avoid sex with either partner.
Just ask your partners,if either of them,has itching or discharge,in the genital region.
In case they do give a history of that,they should get a check-up by a gynecologist.
Wish you well.
Dr.Matthew J. Mangat.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hello Dr. Mangat,
I am in Canada where access to the specialists is only by referral from a family doctor and getting appointment with a family doctor can take weeks. I booked one today for the middle of August. Then she will probably refer me to a specialist but believe it or not it might take months for something that is not urgent in their view. So, is there anything I could safely try in the meantime? And do I understand correctly that I need to ask to see a urologist and not a dermatologist? Thanks.
I am in Canada where access to the specialists is only by referral from a family doctor and getting appointment with a family doctor can take weeks. I booked one today for the middle of August. Then she will probably refer me to a specialist but believe it or not it might take months for something that is not urgent in their view. So, is there anything I could safely try in the meantime? And do I understand correctly that I need to ask to see a urologist and not a dermatologist? Thanks.
Brief Answer:
Reply symptoms of similar whitish discharge or itching in partners.
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
You could see either of the two specialists.
Both are competent to treat this,if needed.
You've not replied if either of your partners,is having a discharge or itching in vagina.
Accordingly,the treatment varies.
What you can use will be advised,after getting this important information.
Hope you understand the implication.
Wish you well.
Dr.Matthew J. Mangat.
Reply symptoms of similar whitish discharge or itching in partners.
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
You could see either of the two specialists.
Both are competent to treat this,if needed.
You've not replied if either of your partners,is having a discharge or itching in vagina.
Accordingly,the treatment varies.
What you can use will be advised,after getting this important information.
Hope you understand the implication.
Wish you well.
Dr.Matthew J. Mangat.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hello Dr. Mangat,
There are no similar symptoms or itching in partners. Also, the last time I had intercourse with my regular partner was about a month ago and before that I don't even remember. The last time I had any sex with my other partner was almost a year ago.
Thanks.
There are no similar symptoms or itching in partners. Also, the last time I had intercourse with my regular partner was about a month ago and before that I don't even remember. The last time I had any sex with my other partner was almost a year ago.
Thanks.
Brief Answer:
Vaseline as lubricant with penile hygiene is best.
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
I think avoiding rough sex, anal intercourse, and good penile hygiene, should be enough, in your case.
You may recheck the blood tests and direct the reports to me, for my expert opinion.
Wish you well.
Dr.Matthew J. Mangat.
Vaseline as lubricant with penile hygiene is best.
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
I think avoiding rough sex, anal intercourse, and good penile hygiene, should be enough, in your case.
You may recheck the blood tests and direct the reports to me, for my expert opinion.
Wish you well.
Dr.Matthew J. Mangat.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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