Suggest Treatment For Infection Of Foreskin And Tip Of Penis

Posted on Mon, 19 Jan 2015

Question: hi,
i am from XXXXXXX but i stay in US now. i am 26 Male
i am having infection on my foreskin and a little on tip of my penis, i don't feel any itching often but only sometimes . i am scared to tell anyone or meet a doctor. having this from years now. from the last 1 week i am applying coconut oil but i can't find any change or reduction of allergy. can you please suggest me what to do now?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (25 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
I suggest possibility of Fordyce spots; No active intervention is required

Detailed Answer:
Hello. Thank you for writing to us at healthcaremagic

I have gone through your query and I have noted down your complaints. I have also reviewed the Images.

In the Images I can see grouped, yellowish, minute bumps or grains on the undersurface of prepuce.
These are actually Fordyce spots. It is not an allergy.

Fordyce spots are ectopic sebaceous glands ( ectopic because they happen to be at places where they normally should'nt be).
They may be found in clusters on labial mucosa in females and on the mucosal aspect of prepuce in males.
Fordyce spots can first appear or become more prominent at puberty under the influence of hormones.

Fordyce spots are mainly a cosmetic concern without any clinical significance and do not require more than an assurance that they are part of the normal anatomy in both males as well as females.

However, treatment if desired for cosmetic reasons is with either CO2 Laser vaporization or ablation with radiofrequency cautery.

Regards

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

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (10 minutes later)

Thanks a lot for the quick response.
I am sorry to ask this but i am pretty scared. Are you sure about that ? And is it safe to participate in inter course ? I am about to get married and i dont want to transfer this to my partner

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (5 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Fordyce spots

Detailed Answer:
Hi.

Yes, I am absolutely 100% sure about my diagnosis.
It is safe to get married and participate in sexual intercourse.
This is not an STD therefore there is no risk of transmission to your sexual partner.

Regards

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

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (13 minutes later)

Will there be any side effects if i get treatment for this? If it's safe to get treatment. can you tell me which one is the safest? And i do feel some itching when i have some sweat or too much dirt. So, r u sure its fordyce ?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (15 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
You can opt for either Co 2 Laser Or Radiofrequency ablation

Detailed Answer:
Hi.

Assurance about the insignificance of fordyce spots is all that is required by most people.
You can type "fordyce spots on undersurface of prepuce" and google it. You will find representative Images of fordyce spots. I am sure that will make you feel more assured about the diagnosis.
However, treatment if desired for cosmetic reasons is with either Co 2 Laser vaporization Or Radiofrequency ablation. Both are equally safe and your doctor may choose either of these.
There will be mild swelling and raw areas after the procedure but that will be all gone within a week.

Regards

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

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (4 minutes later)

Sounds great!
One last this.
Instead of gng for a treament like that can i use some ointments that are safe to get rid of these ?and direction on how to use them ?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (6 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Ablation is the only treatment

Detailed Answer:
Hi.

Creams or ointments won't work. Ablation is the only treatment.

Now, that you know that these bumps are of no significance therefore I would suggest you to just ignore them.

Regards

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

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (14 minutes later)

This is what i found online
"A popular topical ointment for Fordyce spots treatment is Tretinoin gel
or cream. While it is primarily utilized as a topical acne treatment, it may
be effective for these bumps if you apply it once daily to reduce the
prominence of these spots. Used in conjunction with alpha hydroxyl
agents, which can be purchased over the counter, Tretinoin cream, also
known as Retin-A Micro, can greatly diminish the visibility of your
Fordyce spots. It is used in many commercial dermatological products
utilized to slow aging, reduce stretch marks, and treat acne."

I am not sure about this but would like to get a suggestion from you

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (11 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Oral retinoids would be better than topical retinoids (tretinoin)

Detailed Answer:
Hi.

Tretinoin, a topical retinoid won't make these spots disappear, however, it may apparently reduce there size somewhat. That too only temporarily.

Topical tretinoin does'nt affect sebum secretion, so it is not going to be really effective in fordyce spots. Moreover tretinoin is an irritant and therefore it is usually avoided in this area.

On the other hand Oral Retinoids e.g Isotretinoin would be more effective because it is sebostatic and reduces the size of sebaceous glands by 90% after just 1 month of Oral Intake. However, the spots may recur 1-3 months after Oral retinoids are stopped.

Ablation with Laser or RF is the only permanent solution

Regards

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

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (9 minutes later)

If i go for laser or RF treatment which depends on doctors preference. I am worried that they may have some side effects causing sexual problems like erectile dysfunction.( considering that i need to get the treatment on a very sensitive organ)

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (3 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
No sexual side effects

Detailed Answer:
Hi.

No, these procedures for fordyce spot removal don't have any sexual side effects at all.

Regards

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

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Kakkar (6 minutes later)

Thanks a lot ...great relief :)

Answered by Dr. Dr. Kakkar (0 minute later)

Brief Answer:
You are welcome

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for writing to us at healthcaremagic

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