Suggest Treatment For Tinea

Posted on Mon, 24 Nov 2014

Question: I am a heterosexual male who has had the same partner for the last two months. Two days ago, I noticed a ring about halfway up the bottom of my penile shaft. It's about a centimeter in diameter, but is not a perfect ring, in fact it isn't even a closed ring (more like 3/4s of a ring enclosure). It doesn't hurt or itch at all. The skin inside the ring might be slightly darker/dryer, but just barely, and it doesn't crack or bleed. No puss or discharge. It kind of just looks like that one section has one fewer skin layers. Hasn't changed shape or anything. I can attach pic if necessary, just wondering what this possibly could be. I looked at a lot of STD pictures online and it didn't really resemble any of them.

Answered by Dr. Muhammed Aslam (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Kindly attach a picture.

Detailed Answer:
Hello dear,welcome to HCM forum.

Such a presentation is unlikely for STDs.
It will be fine if you attach a good quality picture,so that we can have a better idea.

Thank you.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Muhammed Aslam (1 hour later)

Hi, I've attached the picture as a lab report.

Other info - healthy, active, donate blood regularly (not for STD checking, just to give blood). Last donation 50 days ago (after new partner, no partners since), and blood was cleared for all of the STD's they check (syphilis, HIV, etc.).

Answered by Dr. Muhammed Aslam (9 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Tinea likely.

Detailed Answer:
Hi dear,
Thanks for the reply.

The picture is typical of a superficial fungal infection(tinea).
This can be treated with topical antifungal creams for a few weeks.
You can use 1% clotrimazole cream(clotrimazole +beclometasone combination cream is still better) for 1 week.If the lesion begins to clear in 1 week,just continue the application for a total of 6-8 weeks(even if the lesion clears before).
Otherwise,if not coming down,kindly see a dermatologist for further evaluation.

Hope this will answer your query.
Wishing you good health,
Thank you.

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

Follow up: Dr. Muhammed Aslam (27 minutes later)

Thank you for the quick reply. Can I still have sex without spreading this? The area is covered with a condom, and I want to make sure it's ok.

Answered by Dr. Muhammed Aslam (7 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Yes,you can.

Detailed Answer:
Hi dear,

There nothing wrong in doing sex with a condom in place.

If you have no further questions,you can close the discussion and rate the answer.

Take care,
Thank you.

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. Yogesh D