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What Causes Redness On The Penis Head?

Posted on Wed, 14 Dec 2016

Question: Head of penis is red for long time now..
I forgot to add, I have had this problem for about 8 weeks now,, sometimes it gets a little better and then when something aggravates it like a cream or masturbating it goes bright red and sore for a day... it is not easy for me to see a doctor at the moment so I am hoping i can find the answer to my problem on here without that ,,thank you ..

Answered by Dr. Dr. Rahul Kumar (10 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Allergic reaction.

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for the query and photograph.
It's looking like an allergic reaction.
I treat such cases with a mild steroid cream like cortisone twice daily for a week.
It is safe and effective and usually available over the counter.
Try to find out if you are allergic to condom or any other products used by your partner.
Let me know if you have any other doubts.
Thank you.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Veerisetty Shyamkumar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Rahul Kumar (17 hours later)

Thank you for your reply it is much appreciated, I have not had contact with my partner for 3 months now and no condom so I am not sure what else I could be allergic too, I am never really allergic to anything but I suppose there can be a first time.. would it stay red and so uncomfortable all this time with it being an allergic reaction?

I will give the cortisone cream a try for a week and if things do not improve I will ask you again for more advise.. thank you..
Hi.. I have got some of this cream,, will it be ok? http://www.terapeak.com/worth/hydrocortisone-acetate-antergan-cream-10g-dermatoses-dermatitis-insect-bites/0000/

Answered by Dr. Dr. Rahul Kumar (14 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Try this cream

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for the follow up.
Allergy can be even due to any unknown substance.
I checked the link.
You can try this cream.
Hope this helps you.
Let me know if you have any other doubts.
Thank you.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Rahul Kumar (16 hours later)

I was going to close this thread after my last comment and rate your good service but I will have to wait for you to reply again before I can do that .. sorry about that I did not realize..

Answered by Dr. Dr. Rahul Kumar (14 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
You are welcome

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for the follow up.
It's good to know that you are getting response.
Feel free to ask any doubt any time.
We are here to help you.
Thank you.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Rahul Kumar (6 days later)

Hi Doctor, unfortunately I have had to open this thread again, at first on the 1st day of applying the cream I thought there was some improvement but at the end of each day and today after a shower everything is still the same.. If I was to send you a photo it would also be the same as the last one.. the redness seems like a very small cluster of tiny microscopic sores and creases / cracks in the skin..

It is now going on 4 months with no sex as I do not want to aggravate it more or pass anything unknown over to my partner, do you think I need some sort of antibiotic to move this? there is no other problem like discharge or pain while peeing, just a mild itching, tingling now and again... but if aggravated it swells up tight under the foreskin.... thank you for your advise..

Answered by Dr. Dr. Rahul Kumar (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Acyclovir

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for the follow up.
Sometimes herpes genitalis a viral infection manifests like this.
I treat such cases with a combination of oral and topical acyclovir.
Topical acyclovir cream to be applied thrice daily for a week and oral acyclovir 400 mg tablet to be taken 5 times a day for 7 days.
This should help you.
These might require a prescription from a doctor.
Please check with your chemist.
Let me know if you have any other doubts.
Thank you.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Veerisetty Shyamkumar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Rahul Kumar (15 minutes later)

Thank you for your reply, yes this could be the cause as I have suffered from herpes in the past in both my private area and mouth,, it only normally lasts a few days and clears up though.. if it is herpes is it normal for it to be there and to last so long (3 months)? it does not come and go away like normal bouts of herpes.. I have been under quite a lot of stress recently though.. thank you again your answers are much appreciated.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Rahul Kumar (8 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
It can be herpes

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Yes herpes can remain longer.
Take the medication and try to relax yourself.
Let me know if you have any other doubts.
Thank you.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Veerisetty Shyamkumar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Rahul Kumar (45 hours later)

Hi Dr,, I know is is early days with the herpes treatment but I am having my doubts it is that as I have had it in this place before and it is not anything like the same problem.. there has been no improvement so I have decided to send you some more clear pictures... please can you look again.. are you sure it can not be something that an antibiotic could clear up?

is this something I need to be so worried and stressed out about?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Rahul Kumar (16 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Herpes

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for the follow up and photographs.
Close examination reveals multiple pin point erosions.
These suggest herpes.
Please go ahead with the treatment.
You will get relief.
Antibiotic is not required as there is no bacterial infection.
Let me know if you have any other doubts.
Thank you.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Rahul Kumar (3 days later)

I have been using the oral and cream Herpenon, washing and then applying the cream 3 times a day, the oral taking it 5 times a day as you recommended, yes there are multiple pin point erosion's and it certainly feels like herepes.. there is still little improvement as yet though,,

I the medication I am using correct (Herpenon)?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Rahul Kumar (16 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Use herpenon

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for the follow up.
Herpenon is acyclovir.
Continue with it.
You will get relief.
Feel free to ask any doubts.
Thank you.

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

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Rahul Kumar (2 days later)

Hi Dr,, is it safe to continue with the medication as it is now day 8 taking the acyclovir with little improvement?

I also had a herpes sore appear on my lip and that has healed and gone ok but not as yet in my private area.. should I continue with the same medication?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Rahul Kumar (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Use acyclovir cream for a month

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Stop oral medication and continue with acyclovir cream for at least a month.
If there is itch take an antihistamine tablet also.
Just relax you will get response.
If possible upload a fresh photograph.
I would like to compare it from previous photograph.
Thank you.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Rahul Kumar (2 hours later)

Thank you ,, I have sent you some more photos, it gets inflamed after a shower and then it calms down a bit,, the acyclovir cream helps calm the inflammation a little..

Answered by Dr. Dr. Rahul Kumar (24 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Continue with topical acyclovir

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for fresh photographs.
The pinpoint ulcers are healing.
Just relax there is good response.
Continue with topical acyclovir.
Let me know after a week.
Thank you.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. REMY KOSHY

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Rahul Kumar (14 days later)

Hi Doctor..

This last week I found the Herpenon cream seems to be aggravating everything more and not giving any relief..

I have tried a couple of days without doing anything but as you can see by the pictures I have sent everything is exactly the same.. it is sending me crazy..

Is there anything else these small sores could be apart from herpes as the cream does not seem to work? it works on my lip if I get a mouth sore ..
Hi,, just a quick update that might help.. last night the whole head of my penis felt like it was burning and was all red so I tried the Antergan Cream again and this has given some relief,, in fact more relief than the herpes cream.... the redness has now gone down a bit ..
Please advise further?

Thank you ..

Answered by Dr. Dr. Rahul Kumar (26 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Use Antergan

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for the photograph.
Antergan is a mild steroid cream.
It helps in reducing inflammation hence gives immediate relief.
You can use it for a week.
Once redness is gone you can continue with acyclovir cream for a month to prevent recurrence.
Let me know if you have any other doubts.
Thank you.

Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Veerisetty Shyamkumar