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What Causes Rash On Penis?

Posted on Mon, 21 Apr 2014

Question: I am a 62yr old male. I am fighting with a rash on my penis. All blood work came back normal. Urine tests normal. I have been given Ketoderm crm. and Fucidin cream but nothing is working. I am circumsized. The rash is more on the head of my penis. Have had it now for about 8weeks can offer any suggestions Hopefully you have some kind of an idea. Could it be possible that either the grapes or peanuts are causing a yeast infection

Answered by Dr. Divya Kuttikrishnan (2 hours later)

Brief Answer: Possible allergic reaction..... Detailed Answer: Hi there.... Thanks for writing in.... I understand from your mail that you have a rash on the head of your penis since 8 weeks and it hasn't responded much to either fucidin or ketoderm ointment . Also, all investigations and blood work came back as normal. It is quite possible the rash might me due to dry skin or allergies. Food allergies like the one you mentioned ,though rare not impossible. I have a couple of advice for you.... Use only 100% cotton underwear. Synthetic undergarments might be the cause of rash or might aggravate the pre existing rash. Avoid scented soaps. Keep the penile area clean and dry. After consulting with your doctor, ask if you can use a small quantity of hydrocortisone cream for a couple of days . Just a tiny quantity should be applied as this ointment has a side effect of skin thinning and discolouration if it is used for a prolonged period or if too much quantity is applied. So use the medication only after consulting with your doctor or dermatologist. Hope this information was helpful to you. Do get back to me if you have further queries. Get well soon.

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

Follow up: Dr. Divya Kuttikrishnan (8 hours later)

I have done all of the above. I do masturbate from time to time. Using a hand lotion but I have used the same for years. Do get me wrong I am a normal person however my wife passed away in 1998. I did date only about 7yrs ago and did engage in intercourse but this person was not right for me and I have not had sex with anyone else. I just don't understand what it could be. I have never had this before in my lifetime. Only thing that pops in mind is last year I dropped a 4X4 on my big toe and ended up with an infection on it. I soaked it for about 2 wks in vinigar and it went away. Could this have anything to do with it thank you

Answered by Dr. Divya Kuttikrishnan (20 minutes later)

Brief Answer: ... Detailed Answer: Hi there, Allergies are a possibility. You could try avoiding peanuts and see if there is any improvement. Also avoid using the hand lotion on the penis before masturbating. Even though it is a lotion you have been using for a long time, allergies can pop up anytime... Sorry, I didnt quite understand what you meant by dropping 4X4 on your big toe .

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

Follow up: Dr. Divya Kuttikrishnan (12 hours later)

As by the 4X4 piece of a wooden post fell on my big toe.. which in turn caused an infection which the doctor felt it was a fungal infection. I treated it by soaking it in vinegar and it went away. this was a year ago. I guess my question was could this have any type of relation ship as to what I have now. In other words could the infection travel though the body if my toe was not completely healed. I also eat fried eggs on toast every morning for breakfest I am not sure but I did read that eggs can cause yeast infections

Answered by Dr. Divya Kuttikrishnan (3 hours later)

Brief Answer: .. Detailed Answer: hi.... It is quite unlikely that the infection you had in your toe a year back is related to the rash you are having now. As I said food allergies and allergies to soaps, perfumes,hand lotion, any of these could be the culprits. By trial and error, you might be able to find the cause...one step at a time. Try avoiding eggs for a week or 2. Hope this helps.

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

Follow up: Dr. Divya Kuttikrishnan (20 hours later)

thank you .. I will try to avoid the eggs and see what happens. I have been eating them for breakfest for a long time. But I guess the body can change with time

Answered by Dr. Divya Kuttikrishnan (2 hours later)

Brief Answer: .. Detailed Answer: You are most welcome.... Do try the other measures I had suggested in my earlier XXXXXXX Yeah, avoid the eggs and see. Generally eating eggs everyday can cause boils and pimples in some individuals. Maybe in your case it's a rash on the penile region. Hope the rash disappears. Have a great day :)

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

Follow up: Dr. Divya Kuttikrishnan (2 days later)

I have stopped eating eggs now for the past 3 days and this rash does seem to be fading a bit. I really can't understand why that would cause a rash since I have been eating them for the past at least 2yrs but who knows.

Answered by Dr. Divya Kuttikrishnan (9 hours later)

Brief Answer: ........ Detailed Answer: Glad to hear that the rash is fading... Have you been applying any anti fungal or steroid creams ? Or has the rash started fading just after stopping egg intake? If rash reduced due to stopping egg intake... then eggs are most likely the culprit . Allergies are possible at any time. For eg. A person who was using a particular brand of hair XXXXXXX for many years developed allergy one day to the same brand. Have a good day :)

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

Follow up: Dr. Divya Kuttikrishnan (30 minutes later)

I have not been using any creams. I figure if it goes away without the cream then that is what it has to be is the eggs.

Answered by Dr. Divya Kuttikrishnan (6 minutes later)

Brief Answer: .. Detailed Answer: ok.. good... Also do follow other measures I mentioned earlier in my first mail regarding.....keeping the area clean and dry. 100% cotton undergarments etc...

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

Follow up: Dr. Divya Kuttikrishnan (13 hours later)

you know this rash a few days ago was red and scaly only on the head. Now it just seems to be a bright red patch. Hopefully this is a sign of healing. I know it is hard for you to know without seeing. I have no problem of uploading an image if you think it might be helpful

Answered by Dr. Divya Kuttikrishnan (33 minutes later)

Brief Answer: ... Detailed Answer: That would be better. Please do upload an image....it might help in the diagnosis...Atleast I might be able to provide you with some differential diagnosis. I also want to know if the lesion is itchy now.

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

Follow up: Dr. Divya Kuttikrishnan (4 hours later)

I have uploaded 4 images.. hopefully they are clear enough. If you look right into the center of the head you will see the redness and it is rough. the skin around it looks like chapped skin. I am now wondering that I really don't think it related to food it looks more like a skin condition. Is it possible to get exzemea in that area. Don't know if I should try that cream again the ones that I mentioned at first. My doctor is really not to concerned. It is a bit itchy but nearly as it was about 5wks weeks ago. I hope you can tell something by the pictures thanks

Answered by Dr. Divya Kuttikrishnan (7 hours later)

Brief Answer: ... Detailed Answer: Hi there.... The picture quality isn't that good. The images are kind of hazy. I can tell where the lesion is located, but not clear enough to comment further based on the pictures. Eczema on the penile region is definitely possible. And since you think after withdrawing egg intake the rash has slightly reduced, it is quite possible that the eggs might be cause this allergic reaction/Eczema. Another possibility is allergies due to contact of the penis(allergic contact dermatitis) with some kind of irritants. This, I have already mentioned in my first mail. For eg. Bathing Soaps, detergents, lotions,condoms, synthetic undergarments etc. I would advise you to switch to non perfumed, bland, hypoallergenic bathing soaps. Detergents in which the undergarments are washed can also be a trigger factor.I would advise you to make sure the detergent is removed from the clothes by thorough rinsing. Steroid creams would be definitely helpful in this condition. Sometimes dry skin can precipitate the rash you are having, in which case, applying a small quantity of petroleum jelly(emollients) will help. I would advise you to visit a dermatologist for confirmation of diagnosis.Then he/she might prescribe some steroid creams and emollients(eg. vaseline petroleum jelly). Hope my answer was helpful. Take care. Regards, Dr. Divya Kuttikrishnan

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

Follow up: Dr. Divya Kuttikrishnan (11 hours later)

thank you very much .. I am going to suggest that my doctor sends me to a dermatologist.. this has been going on too long. Sorry about the pictures but that was the best I could get. Right now it just seems very dry skin and red and a bit itchy. I did use a bit of pollysporn and that took the itch away.

Answered by Dr. Divya Kuttikrishnan (8 hours later)

Brief Answer: ..... Detailed Answer: Ok ..... All the best... Hope you feel better soon.... I know how disturbing it can be when something is wrong with any part of the body .

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

Follow up: Dr. Divya Kuttikrishnan (2 hours later)

I really hate to bother you but is it possible that this rash could be related to a undetected desease. ???? My doctor says no but it sure makes me wonder as I have never had this before. Funny thing is that yesterday it was looking a bit better then I had a few hand fulls of peanuts and today it looks worse so I threw them out. Maybe it is that.. I don't know what to think anymore thanks for listening

Answered by Dr. Divya Kuttikrishnan (14 hours later)

Brief Answer: ..... Detailed Answer: Hi there.... No botheration..... I am glad to answer your questions :) I would advise you to stay off peanuts and eggs for a while till this is sorted out. Internal problems can also cause skin lesions. However, since blood work came as normal....it should be ok.....don't worry. A visit to the dermatologist might treat the symptoms and put your mind at ease. Also need to rule out penile psoriasis which is also possible in the penile region. For mild cases, the treatment is again topical corticosteroids. If the dermatologist finds anything unusual or abnormal, or not responding to medication, then he might order for a biopsy. Hope I have answered your queries . Also stress worsens the lesions. So, try to relax . Avoid alcohol intake. Avoid wearing tight undergarments Take care.

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

Follow up: Dr. Divya Kuttikrishnan (9 hours later)

thank you for you response..

Answered by Dr. Divya Kuttikrishnan (5 hours later)

Brief Answer: .... Detailed Answer: You are most welcome :)

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

Follow up: Dr. Divya Kuttikrishnan (18 hours later)

I have one quick question as I need to know before I my next visit with the doctor. If it is a food allergy why would it just be in the area of the penis. That is the one thing I don't understand. If it is food is it something like a yeast infection that keeps cropping up. thank you

Answered by Dr. Divya Kuttikrishnan (1 hour later)

Brief Answer: ..... Detailed Answer: I am presuming your blood sugar levels are normal...since blood work is all normal. High blood sugars can cause yeast infections. Regarding food allergy,when allergens are swallowed ,they may travel to other parts of the body and provoke symptoms that are remote from their point of entry.

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

Follow up: Dr. Divya Kuttikrishnan (11 hours later)

blood sugar was fine... I am not sure I understand your answer. unless you are saying that the food go to the mouth and travels through the rest of the body and the waste is the urine from the penis and that is why it attacks the penis??????

Answered by Dr. Divya Kuttikrishnan (1 hour later)

Brief Answer: .... Detailed Answer: I'm sorry, if my previous answer got you confused. Eczema, (again due to some allergen ) can present in any part of the body. For eg. Children who are allergic to eggs, after eating it causes rash on the area between the forearm and arm, or behind the knees etc. An allergic reaction can manifest in any part of the body... Hope you have a clear idea now. Since you said all your blood work came back normal, the most probable cause I can think of is an allergic contact dermatitis either due to soaps, underwear ,lotion, latex condoms, detergents etc, . Also another possibility is food allergy to eggs and / peanuts. Eczema just of the penile region is rare... However,Since you have definitely observed worsening of the rash after eating eggs/peanuts , it is quite possible that these food items are aggravating the condition.

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

Follow up: Dr. Divya Kuttikrishnan (23 hours later)

just wanted to let you know that one of the supervisors that use to work for me had the same problem and had to go in to be circumsized. That did not work. I was talking to him yesterday and they finally figured it to be a fungel infection which they gave him Fucidin cream. He described it to be almost identical to what i have. His problem went on for almost 2 yrs. he kept using this cream then finally it went away and never came back. does that make any sense to you. thank you

Answered by Dr. Divya Kuttikrishnan (6 hours later)

Brief Answer: ... Detailed Answer: Fucidin is an antibiotic cream, generally given to treat bacterial infections. Ketoderm (ketoconazole) is the cream which is generally given for fungal infection. So either your friend had a bacterial infection for which he was given fucidin... or he had a fungal infection for which he was given ketoderm.. Probably his was a recurrent case... Don't worry. Hopefully yours will get better very soon...

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

Follow up: Dr. Divya Kuttikrishnan (16 hours later)

thank you. Well it has been 9 days since I had my ultra sound. No calls from the doctor so I am assuming that all is well I hope. I am sure that if something came up they would call me.

Answered by Dr. Divya Kuttikrishnan (8 hours later)

Brief Answer: .. Detailed Answer: you are most welcome...

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