HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

What Causes Brown Marks On Glans Penis Post Circumcision?

default
Posted on Mon, 7 Sep 2015
Question: I had a circumcision 11 years ago. I originally had no marks at all on the head of the penis but over the following years i developed brown marks (skin impediments) along with some red areas (which are occasionally sore) which have never eased or shown any signs of improvement. I have previously used 'Bio Oil' and tried to use moisturising cream to aid the skin healing without any signs of improvement. I am so embassed of this and it is affecting my life more than i can ever explain. I no longer take part in any sporting activities due to embarrassment in the shower rooms etc. I also work within sport industry and find this extremely hard to deal with day to day. I really have had enough and i want to take positive steps to improve my life and general happiness. I feel too embarrassed to even go to my general GP to discuss this matter. If you could help me and advise me on the steps to take i would be forever grateful. I have attached additional photo's. Thank you.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Neel Kudchadkar (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
There is a clear cut cure.

Detailed Answer:
Hi!

I can empathize well with you on the suffering you might be undergoing.

I appreciate the photographs that you have sent.

You might have to answer these questions, as they can pinpoint the cause of your
problem so that we can cure it.

- Are you sexually active? This can help us determine, the exact cause of your problem.
Even condoms do not fully protect a person from sexual infections. Though they might
prevent some infections like HIV, there are others that can be still transmitted.
If there is an infection here, I would say with 40% probability that indeed it is a yeast
infection. There is a possibility of candidiasis. If, indeed, this is so, then we can use
a short course of medications to cure the infection outright.

- I would ask you to note that an infection need not have been sexually transmitted.
Keep this important fact in mind.

- Are you on any medicines or drugs? Some medicines can cause eruptions in mucous
membranes. For example, the drug Lithium carbonate causes full blown psoriasis on the
body.

- Has your sexual sensation been blunted? The first remedy you might take is to use
mild fabric underclothes. This is to minimize physical friction. I am asking this question
to determine whether hyperkeratinization, that is growth of skin layers on each other due
to constant friction has occurred. You have mentioned that you have used moisturizers,
and I would like to inform you that indeed, there are medicated creams available to
overcome this problem easily.

- Finally, I might point out that many aphrodisiacs and over the counter ointments indeed
have the reverse effect of irritating the penis and causing more problems that they can solve.


I would politely ask you to provide this information, so that a speedy recovery be obtained.

I am confident that your problem has a standard solution.

Obliged,
Dr. Neel Kudchadkar



Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Neel Kudchadkar
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Neel Kudchadkar (5 hours later)

Yes I am sexually active and have been over the past 7 years. I have not noticed any changes with the functionality at all. Although i would say i have lost a tiny bit of sensation on the head of the penis. I have often found dry, flaky skin there too.

I have had 2 long term partners which i had regular unprotected sex with during this time. Also, i have been cleared of any STD/HIV via tests if that is at all helpful or relevent

No I am on no medication or drugs, I live an extremely active lifestyle and not allergic to anything i am currently aware of.

I will look into mild fabric underclothes to reduce the physical friction.

doctor
Answered by Dr. Neel Kudchadkar (14 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Important facts about your problem that can help you make a decision.

Detailed Answer:
Hi!

The fact remains that after circumcision, there is a slight dulling of sensation. This is compensated by the brain and mind by compensation through increase of control over ejaculation. The transition is described by physiologists, from intact to circumcised status as change in the hues of "color" akin to the differences in color
vision between different footages. Thus your sexual sensations are different yet unique.

Circumcision is followed by a increase in the thickness of the skin of the head of the penis. This is called keratinization. This confers resistance to HIV transmission and certain STD's as is recently discovered by researchers in XXXXXXX particularly in studies done in Zimbabwe. Furthermore removal of the foreskin eliminates molecular targets for infections.

Thus, keeping this in mind, certain scientists intially in 2004 in the British medical Journal and the lancet propounded circumcision as a "vaccine" against the spread
of certain lethal infections.

Today, in 2015, the CDC, Center for Disease Control in XXXXXXX USA, has recommended routine circumcision for males, neonatal or adult.

So, you have probably only gained since your circumcision.

It is exactly because of these facts that I found your case highly challenging.

I have noted the facts that you have now mentioned.

I would say with confidence, that you have a non sexually transmitted infection of the mucosa (skin) of your glans (head of) penis. This is patently obvious. The fact that there are no medications involved, makes the picture clearer.

You have to overcome your feelings of embarrassment, and find a local skin doctor, also known as a dermatologist. Typically, someone who is empathetic
with your feelings. Now, we know that dermatology is a visual speciality. This
means that this discoloration might be viewed with ultraviolet light. This face to
face physical exam, which is painless, will last for a few moments.

On confirmation of the diagnosis, meaning the final decision as to what the infection truly is. The cure is relatively of a short duration. You might and most
probably will have to take medication which will kill the germs and restore your
glans penis to it's native color.

There are some things that telemedicine cannot do. At best I can provide speculations and hypothesis on what exactly the infection is. I can give you
pointers on medicines to take for this. And the fact remains that to obtain
such medications, you will have to visit a doctor again, since these medicines
require a prescription.

At best, you might use a steroid cream for a short duration, to avoid superimposed
opportunistic infections, to remove layers of the thickened skin tags. This requires
examination and medical supervision again, and will not remove the core cause.

The sores that you describe are secondary to the infection.

On the other hand you might use an estrogen cream once a week to balance the keratinization of the glans. This, though is a controversial treatment.

I have placed all the facts in front of you.

I would like to hear from you as regards your final decision. There is absolutely
no reason why suffering due to cosmetic discoloration should be endured.

Feel free to voice any doubts as regards this.

Thanks,
Dr. Neel Kudchadkar
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Neel Kudchadkar

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2004

Answered : 532 Questions

premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
What Causes Brown Marks On Glans Penis Post Circumcision?

Brief Answer: There is a clear cut cure. Detailed Answer: Hi! I can empathize well with you on the suffering you might be undergoing. I appreciate the photographs that you have sent. You might have to answer these questions, as they can pinpoint the cause of your problem so that we can cure it. - Are you sexually active? This can help us determine, the exact cause of your problem. Even condoms do not fully protect a person from sexual infections. Though they might prevent some infections like HIV, there are others that can be still transmitted. If there is an infection here, I would say with 40% probability that indeed it is a yeast infection. There is a possibility of candidiasis. If, indeed, this is so, then we can use a short course of medications to cure the infection outright. - I would ask you to note that an infection need not have been sexually transmitted. Keep this important fact in mind. - Are you on any medicines or drugs? Some medicines can cause eruptions in mucous membranes. For example, the drug Lithium carbonate causes full blown psoriasis on the body. - Has your sexual sensation been blunted? The first remedy you might take is to use mild fabric underclothes. This is to minimize physical friction. I am asking this question to determine whether hyperkeratinization, that is growth of skin layers on each other due to constant friction has occurred. You have mentioned that you have used moisturizers, and I would like to inform you that indeed, there are medicated creams available to overcome this problem easily. - Finally, I might point out that many aphrodisiacs and over the counter ointments indeed have the reverse effect of irritating the penis and causing more problems that they can solve. I would politely ask you to provide this information, so that a speedy recovery be obtained. I am confident that your problem has a standard solution. Obliged, Dr. Neel Kudchadkar