Blisters on foreskin

[SAColes]

I keep on getting a collection of small blisters on my foreskin. They take some time to go down and of course if they burst they take a while longer to heal. It is of couse a very stretchy part of the body's skin and difficult to keep dry in order to promote healing. What could they be caused by? And any treatment advice? (If anyone were to suggest circumcision I would regard that as a treatment of very last resort). I am a 64 year old male with moderate sexual history but not recently.

[Galen70]

It is quite a distance away, but a recurring blistering problem could be the cold sore virus herpes simplex. You should go to a sexual health service when you have active changes , for a skin swab (PCR ) test.

HSV is very manageable with oral aciclovir tablets but its crucial to have the correct diagnosis first .

[SAColes]

Thank you very much Galen. I shall go to the sexual health clinic next time I get the blisters for a PCR test.

[Hidden]

Dear SAColes,

Just wanted to endorse Galen70's post. Agree, it sounds suspiciously like herpes. Given the current difficulties with Covid-19 etc getting to a clinic when you have an outbreak could be an issue.

Can I instead suggest you take a couple of photos of the rash/blisters (closeups, preferably) on your smartphone when you have an outbreak? Then you'll have something to show them when you finally get to the clinic.

For relief during the outbreaks:

1. Avoid sex

2. Analgesia (paracetamol) or lignocaine gel/cream (available without prescription online or pharmacy) if very sore; otherwise..

3. Warm saline applied to the lesions with cotton wool balls.

Rgds,

Adhari