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What Causes Itching And Dryness On Penis Foreskin?

Posted on Thu, 11 Sep 2014

Question: I am circumcised, but still have quite a bit of foreskin. When I'm completely soft, almost my entire glans is covered. It's always been very common for me to have some dryness and flaking skin on my foreskin and glans, however after masturbating 3 days ago, I felt a bit raw and noticed I had a patch of bright red skin on the one side of my glans and on the foreskin on the exact same spot where both come in contact. There is a patch of perfectly normal skin in between when the foreskin is retracted. The irritated skin is slightly swollen (foreskin only), has peeling skin on both the glans and foreskin, but more on the foreskin (more than the normal flaking) and is of course quite red. There is some occasional itching - which I've had brief occurrences of on occasion over the years. The 3 days of swelling, redness and amount of flaking skin is what is abnormal. I have recently started using a new soap, but have just stopped using it these evening. What does this sound like?

Answered by Dr. Chobufo Ditah (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Sounds like irritation from the new product!

Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for this query.

I am so sorry to hear about this wound that you mentioned. From the information you have provided, this seems to have been caused by an irritation from the new product you used. What did you use for masturbating 3days ago? Is is the same lube you have been using?

Well, the wound now needs to be managed properly for healing. Unless you have been sexually active, this is not suggestive of an STD. Cleansing the wound daily with an antiseptic solution like iodine, keeping it dry, airy and not humid would help accelerate the healing process. For the pains, if not severe, no pain medications are needed. Should you need any, ibuprofen and Tylenol are good drugs to start with. The flaking is really suggestive of exfoliataion of the skin tissue following irritation by an unfriendly product. Am happy to know you stopped all the new stuffs already.

In all, probably related to the new product. Wound care is most essential and pain control if need be at this time. Discontinue every new brand or new bottle of an old product.

I hope this helps. I wish you well. Thank you so much for using our services and do feel free to ask for more information and clarifications if need be.

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

Follow up: Dr. Chobufo Ditah (44 hours later)

Thanks Doctor. Overall the situation seems to be much better, particularly when I am able to allow air to circulate on the area. The flaking/exfoliation isn't an issue any longer and the skin is now more of a light pink rather than red. I do occasionally have a minor itch. It seems that with pretty minimal contact, the area starts to turn a bit red and get a little puffy, but not near what the issue was the other day. Overall it seems to be getting better. Perhaps I'm impatient, but just wanted to check and see if the healing sounds normal after discontinuing the new soap which must have been the irritant? I would have thought the redness and puffiness would have been completely gone by now on the foreskin...

Answered by Dr. Chobufo Ditah (29 hours later)

Brief Answer:
It is normal and am satisfied with its progress.

Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for these updates.

I am so happy to hear about this improvement. The timing is okay and the evolution satisfactory. I will suggest that you exercise more patience and all would progressively return to normal.

Let me know what the state is in the next 72hours. Continue with the same measures and we would get there.

I wish you well.

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