The solution/cure that worked for myself: Fucidin ointment 2%, applied on the glans and foreskin once a day for two weeks.
For those that are interested, here is my story:
It all started after I used my fleshlight the second time. I didn't clean it after the first time and left it overnight (including my penis). Gross, I know. I was punished for a year after that and it's a lesson I'll never forget.
The next day, the skin on my glans and foreskin started peeling. The peels were very thin and it itched like crazy. I left it alone and just hoped it would go away with time. The next day it got worse, it became very dry, very sensitive, and I started to have small splits in the skin and still itched. This is when I got real worried.
After some quick browsing on google, I convinced myself I had a yeast infection. I started with home remedies like coconut oil, and natural yogurt. It only helped a tiny bit and eventually the irritation came back after a few days. I also tried a coconut oil and tea tree oil mix. Same thing, not much help. I got so desperate, I put straight tea tree oil on my penis. Worst idea. Made it worse. Stung like hell.
Next, miconazole 2% topical treatment. Simple over the counter stuff for jock itch/yeast infections. Little did I know, what i had was from far from simple. Symptoms were reduced for about 4-5 days. Then the miconazole became less and less effective. Symptoms started to come back.
2 months had passed before i saw a doctor (managing with coconut oil and miconazole a few weeks before my appointment). After an inspection the doctor confirmed it was balanitis and did a swab test to find out the cause. Also did STI screening, all negative. The doctor did mention that I will most likely be negative for fungals or yeast because I have been treating with miconazole. True enough, swab test came back negative for fungals and yeast, no unusual bacteria either. I was prescribed hydrozole 1% (corticosteroid) to be applied twice a day for 7 days, then 1% clotrimazole 2-3 times a day for 14 days.
I thought the treatment was goign well. There was still a little itching but for the most part it got my penis looking and feeling nearly back to normal. However, once I stopped the clotrimazole, all the symptoms started coming back. So, I continued to use clotrimazole, and after a week, it became ineffective. Symptoms came back again.
So I tried again. I went to the pharmacy and asked for advice. They suggested Nystatin (another antifungal) to be applied twice a day until symptoms disappear and continue for another 14 days. Same thing, symptoms nearly cleared up but not all. I decided after a few days that it was the best that the cream could do, continued for 14 days, stopped. Then same thing, symptoms came back. Sigh.
Next step, back to the doctor, explained what had happened. Doc prescribed one dose of fluconazole 150mg, and advantan fatty ointment (corticosteroid - methylprednisolone aceponate) to be applied once a day for up to two weeks. I left with high hopes. Doc was certain this would beat whatever was wrong with my penis. The first few days, it was getting better. Then from the third day onwards, my foreskin and glans became more and more sensitive. Even an erection would feel like the skin was stretching and boy did it hurt. After a few more days, I couldn't take it anymore, so I started to use the hydrozole and clotrimazole again. Things became better, but i knew it was just managing my symptoms. It wasn't going to completely solve the problem.
Back to the doctor. Doc suggested i apply hydrozole twice a day for two weeks. If symptoms still persist, I could be referred to a dermatologist. I noticed after I stopped the hydrozole, my penis would become extremely sensitive, very red, even would feel like burning sometimes.
So, the dermatologist. He said what I had was very common for people my age (24 years old) and it was nothing to worry about too much. Prescribed me advantan cream (similar to the ointment but a cream version). To be applied once a day until symptoms subside. Doc also suggested I wash my penis with QV wash (soap free wash). So I followed the treatment and it got better, but the same thing happened again. When I stopped the cream, the symptoms came back.
I went to see another doctor and we did the whole STI screening. Everything came back negative. This doc was quite certain what I had was a yeast problem, and it wasn't going away because I wasn't thorough with hygiene. But I was though. So I didn't understand. The doc just told me to attend my follow up appointment with the dermatologist.
So I visit the dermatologist again. He tells me that this is probably something I'm going to have to live with. It's not a major problem, just use the cream to manage it.
But i couldn't just leave it at that. I just felt like I had to fix it. Even though at this point it was 9 months in and all hope seemed to be lost. I could not give up. This is my dick we're talking about. I wanted it to get back to how it was before. Masturbating definitely didn't feel the same, not to mention trying to find a partner with this condition. The constant thought of having this hanging over me was enough to drive me into a bit of a depression. But I did not give up.
I poured hours and hours, searching through forums, scrolling through thread after thread after thread trying to learn about anything that could cure me. Meanwhile I was alternating between the hydrozole, clotrimazole and advantan. I still would have itches and my glans became really shiny. After an erection went away, I would be left with dry skin that flaked off my glans. I went through times when I would stop all treatment, and it would get worse (really dry, skin splitting). Then I thought back to the doctor that was certain it was yeast. I also had another one time dose for the fluconazole 150mg left on my original script. So I decided to try it again. For the first three days, my penis started to look and feel normal again. But forth day onwards, same thing, symptoms came back.
Then after 3 months, I found the solution. Fucidin Ointment (topical antibiotic). You need a script for it, but a friend had some left over and gave it to me. I applied it once a day for 14 days in the mornings. During the night I would wash my penis in salt water. It was only after a few days, the shininess went away, the itching gradually got less and less. I did have a bit of skin come off when I was washing with the salt water. It's sort of like a tacky substance that came off the foreskin and glans when I ran my fingers over it (probably tacky because of the ointment). Also after an erection, my glans skin would be quite finely wrinkled.
Anyway, I can happily say, it has now been a month since I applied any creams or treatments on my dick. I wouldn't say its gone back to 100%, but its damn close. The skin coming off while washing has gradually reduced and its not even noticeable anymore. Wrinkling after an erection has also decreased a lot. Masturbation is feeling back to normal and I've even found myself a partner. I feel so much happier and thought I have to post my experience as it might help someone that's going through a similar problem.
Some final thoughts:
- Corticosteroids were initially good at treating the problem. However, reliance on it was dangerous. Completely stopping corticosteroid creams and ointments made the symptoms worse. I had to slowly ween myself off them. I wish i never used them in the first place.
- Considering I responded to the antifungals but did not completely recover, leaves me to believe that I had more than a fungal infection. and considering that the fucidin antibiotic did the trick, I most likely had something bacterial as well.
- I will always wash my fleshlight and my dick after every single use. I'm actually kinda paranoid and use a condom with my fleshlight now. but I still wash both thoroughly.
- If you are suffering from similar problems, do not give up. Even if doctors tell you there isn't a solution. You just gotta keep trying until something works for you. I know it's easier said than done, especially when the depression hits. But I'm here to tell you, not to give up, just keep trying. Thats how I cured myself.
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Daniels95
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Had balanitis. Never became 100 percent. Got frustrated. Opted for a circumcision. Regret it so much. But I had issues for 2 years and have tried 15 different creams and ointments.
Do you think you could have solved it had you done what this guy did?
The OP absolutely amazing, the determination to keep his foreskin intact. I never saw anyone as determined to keep their foreskin as much as OP. A lot of uncut guys give up or don’t know where to turn, but this guy surely did everything in his power to solve the problem.
This is a very important posting for uncut guys on how to avoid circumcision.
Anyone reading this who is uncut, make sure you try everything before you get circumcised. Just because a doctor says to do it, doesn’t mean you should. All options should be considered.
I did try combo creams. But they didn't do much. I even got a really big sore from one of the steroids I used. All I know is that I regret my circumcision and wish that I tried another year.
Hey dude! I am on my 5 week of post circumcision! I have the same probleme! But you know whaat? after 3 weeks of using anti-fungal cream, my doctor told me to use BIO-OIL, aloe vera and told me to buy REACTINE or Bendralyn or Clarintin. It a antihistamique. It reduce the itchyness and it can make you fall alseep faster while you are healing naturally with BIO-OIL
Same thing happened with me mine was last for 3 months. We should not use steroid cream it makes skin thin. I used tribe plus for 6 days and then stopped after that I used lulifin for 21 days ...used to keep my skin retracted for whole night so no wetness stays there .once everything cleared I used to apply virgin coconut oil after taking bath. Now no signs of problem anymore.... personal hygiene is compulsory. As per my opinion balanitis is worst problem. Ayurveda and homeopathic medicine can cure it permanently...
Hi there, this sounds like what I have. I’ve had circumcision because of balanitis and the doctors were sure that it would get rid of it. So now I’m 7 weeks post op and the balanitis symptoms have come back. But I thought circumcision removed balanitis for good. I’ve tried two topical steroid creams so far and they haven’t worked. Also I’ve had antibiotics but that hasn’t worked. I haven’t been out in 3 weeks because the pain in the unbearable with it touching any part of my clothes. It’s weird because mine is only on one side of my glans. It tends to go dry and peely after I masturbated.
Hi. My experience has been almost the same as yours. After multiple failed treatments, i think i have finally gotten rid of it through a course of oral antibiotics and fucidin ointment. But i made the same mistake as you and used topical steroids prior to this, albeit for just 1 week. But the burning sensation has persisted since stopping the steroid last week. How long did it take for your steroid symptoms like burning to disappear after stopping the steroid creams?
Thank you for sharing. Every step of the journey sounds like my dilemma except for the cure. I am still battling it. I am going to ask my doctor to take swab test to see if In fact it’s a yiest, fungal or bacterial infection. When I treat it clears up almost gone it comes back with vengeance.
I read online a guy who had the same issue for years. He tried anti fungal and natural cures. He finally had his doctor take swab test from the site and the test came back positive for group B strep, he was prescribed an antibiotic and his issue was resolved. Maybe that’s what you had??
Taking a swab test is always a great idea. Honestly, most the time, I reckon a swab test that comes back positive is better than negative. That way, you and your doctor have a higher chance of finding out the cause and your treatments will be much more accurate at tackling whatever it is. "Unfortunately" for me, all the swab tests I took came back negative. So, I still to this day, don't exactly know what I had.
I would say the condition of my penis is extremely close to how it was before all this started. The only thing is very very mild dry skin around the glans which is quite simple to manage.
I have struggled with this for about 15 months now, seen multiple doctors, dermatologists and have had all the STD's checks which all come back nevative. It's good to see you have a doctor that is interested in solving the problem. Mine seem to think its in my head or they have said i will have to live with it however it is started to affect my relationship as i am the one not interested in sex due to the discomfort.
I started getting these after using a fleshlight and my symptoms are similar with the "cuts" in the glans however usually I just get a burning sensation with sensitivity and redness (prominant after a shower) of the glans and now foreskin.
My question is did you get any urine leakage after urinating? This is another symptom which i have developed at the same time.
I will mentiom the fucidin next time i see the doctor and give it a try.
I was definitely very lucky to have those doctors. I can imagine how frustrating it is to be told, it's all in your head. It just doesn't help, especially if it's super obvious that the symptoms were not there before.
I've always had urine leakage even before this. I don't think it got worse, or maybe I didn't notice. Strange thing I read somewhere that if you press on your taint after urinating, that pushes out anything still left in the pipes.
Hey Daniels95, sounds very similar to my situation! Dermatologist said it is eczema and has prescribed an steroid ointment but I’m not convinced. I’m in Melbourne any chance your doctor is in Melbourne? Thanks
Hi MrPecker, I would definitely follow what the doctor has prescribed. However, I would just be very cautious about using topical corticosteroids for more than 3 - 4 weeks. You can definitely raise this concern to your dermatologist and I’m sure they would suggest an alternative.
Dude you had me in absolute fits at “ I’m not going to give up, this is my dick we’re talking about here “ honestly crying. And I’ve had a similar problem I’ve tried many different creams including clotrimazole and fluconazol. I’m using tea tree oil religiously and it’s doing the job I’ll be clear in about 3 more days of use! It’s all about finding what suits you
Hey man, I've had mine going on for about 4 months now. Its like red spots which I thought was friction burn, but it just won't go away. Ive been using tea tree oil.and coconut oil and its gone red and even the top layer of skin is peeling. Did this happen to you? Thanks
The tree tree is what’s causing the peeling it’s too strong for skin I found. It’s just a case of keeping the penis clean as much as possible have a good routine in, don’t use anything harsh but keep it clean, this will stop the symptoms slowly but surely and use clotrimazole in moderation too
been dealing with a somewhat similar problem, I stupidly had unprotected sex at the start of the year and woke up the morning after with swollen glands and urethra, i was convinced I had chlamydia or and STD, after having 3 STD tests, testing for everything, everything came back negative, my symptoms are a puffy urethra, clear discharge and overall discomfort, so I went to the GP to see if they could help, fast forward a few months i’ve tried so many antibiotics, i’ve had tablets for chlamydia, for nsu for prostate infections and a antifungal cream, i’ve been searching on the internet all the time too to see if it helps and really haven’t found anything, like a few other replies ive seen, the doctors say it could be a mental thing but i really don’t believe that, i’ve been tested so many times and had so many “stab in the dark” antibiotics and at this point i get so down and depressed about it, i want to do stuff but i constantly have it on my mind, i was wondering if anyone else had similar symptoms to me and could help on here and once i saw your post i had to make my own post about it
I have had the same problem for around a year, it keeps coming back, i am considering circumcision but its not something i want to do, like you say the creams do work then after a week or two the balanitis comes back
I've been trying to treat this also for the past two years almost. Started with clotrimazole then during masturbation a large portion of the glans' skin chafed off, exposing a shiny strawberry-red skin lesion. That slowly healed up but every cream I've tried, steroid or not, has helped for a bit then stopped. I've been using a steroid mix cream for the past nine months as it helps with the swelling of the foreskin but any time I try getting off of it, the foreskin becomes very dry and the skin of the glans/foreskin thins causing these cuts that expose the shiny strawberry-red skin. This hurts quite a lot as well. I'm afraid to use to Fucidin as antibiotics have messed up my stomach in the past but will try the tea tree oil as I've read up on that.
If you have ANY advice at all for me, I'll gladly take it. At this point, my glans is dry and the old sensitivity of it has gone unfortunately...is this something that can come back as the dried skin falls off? Thanks so much for this post, it at least gives me hope as I have been absolutely refusing circumcision.
Man, im going through the same thing for the last 4 months almost. That red strawberry patch. Ive been using the tea tree oil the last 2 days and its making it more red and even drying out the whole penile head where the dry skin falls off. How have you made out?
Hey I'm just slowly trying to wean off the corticosteroid/antifungal cream I'm using after showers right now. I'm thinking this balanitis could also be an overgrowth of yeast/bad bacteria in my body (look up Candidiasis) so I've also been taking natural antifungals for the past few months and will now be beginning probiotics/a strict clean diet for the next few months to fix things inside me. I've been having gut issues and also sleep issues which I think is linked to this so I'm doing the antifungals/reculturing my gut and hoping it'll also work to get rid of my inflamed foreskin as I'm guessing its an widespread internal issue for me at this point, as I have no visible smegma/bacteria under my foreskin ever now.
Yeah its not on my foreskin. Its on the penile head. Just redness and blotches. No burning or itching. Ive been taking probiotics for years, but I am prone to candida overgrowth as I drink beer. Barely ever eat bread. I am also having sleep issues and acid reflux issues
It was like that for me too on the head, but then as I kept on using creams, the skin just toughened up and it went away but now the skin is no longer sensitive. Now it's on my foreskin which it wasn't earlier.
And gotcha, if you give the candida diet a try it could be worth a shot as beer/alcohol definitely feeds the yeast and a cleaner diet could also help with your gut health. I'm also testing my stomach acid levels using HCL Betaine pills now and I'm going to start Spore-based probiotics as these shoot good bacteria throughout the entire GI system, rather than just dying in the stomach (if you may want to try those).
I've read that those with repeated candida issues have low stomach acid or hypo-thyroid.
Also I think that guys are having this issue because of our modern diets/stressful lifestyles/poor gut health so addressing these may be the best as the creams aren't working for many.
This sounds very similar to what I had. Did you receive a diagnosis and possible cause from your doctor/dermatologist?
I did find that clotrimazole and corticosteroids made the skin very very dry. I'm actually using BIO-oil occasionally when the skin becomes a bit dry. This might help you. It comes in a see through orange cylindrical container with a white cap.
When you say steriod mix cream I take it that you're talking about corticosteroids mixed with an antifungal? To be on it for nine months is quite a long time. I would try to limit the usage as much as possible. Definitely let your doctor know that the steroid creams are not working that well for you. He may have an alternative for you to try.
I wouldn't worry too much about the Fucidin affecting your stomach, since it is a topical antibiotic. In fact, I highly suggest that you ask your doctor to write you a script for this.
Also, I would strongly advise not to apply tea tree oil. It is way too strong and very damaging on the skin. Even more so on skin that has been treated with topical corticosteroids and antifungals. There is a very high chance you'll create more irritation and redness.
I'm glad that my post has helped in some way. Keep me posted on how its goes.
Hey thanks for the reply man I really appreciate it. I'm in the process of slowly stopping the use of the corticosteroid/antifungal ointment day by day. This is thinning my skin but I'm trying to just be gentle while cleaning in the shower.
My main issue is the red inflamed foreskin and thinning skin.
Did the Fucidin you use fully clear the inflammation in 2 weeks and now you use BIO-oil for maintenance? Also did the glans ever get its sensitivity/natural moisture back? Mine is almost fully dried out and toughened skin as of now.
Yes, the Fucidin cleared up the inflammation and mostly all the symptoms within a couple of days. I just kept using it for up to 2 weeks just to be safe. I was really surprised with how effective it was.
Thats right, I've been using BIO-oil for maintenance and I've been using it less and less. Sensitivity and natural moisture is back to normal, and i'm really glad about that. It took a while but it did return to normal.
I just started dealing with these same issues recently, I’m hoping to be able to combat the issues and get rid of the irritation quickly. I ordered something called fucicort, as well as the BIO oil. How long can I expect to use the fucidin before I see results? The irritation is causing me so much anxiety because I feel it constantly, it’s definitely put a damper on my mood the last 2 weeks since I started to notice the irritation
It depends on the percentage of fucidic acid in your ointment. Mine was purely a fucidic acid ointment (2%) and I saw results within 24 hours and cleared up in 3/4 days. I continued to use it up to two weeks to be safe (because antibiotics should be taken for the full course to kill off everything and prevent the left overs from become resistant).
However, I think your ointment is a mix of both the fucidic acid and a corticosteroid. I would be careful with it because it has corticosteroid, I’m not a fan of it as long term use isn’t great for the skin. Another problem with corticosteroid mixes, is that you won’t really be sure if it’s really tackling the real problem. Whether the antibiotic properties of the fucicid acid are working or not, the corticosteroid will be reducing inflammation. So it becomes hard to tell if it’s working. And if it comes back, it either means, the fucidic acid didn’t work, OR, it did work, and your skin has just become a bit reliant on the corticosteroid.
If I was you, I’d stick to the instructions on the pack. If you don’t see results after following the instructions on the pack, don’t continue using it, you don’t want your skin to be reliant on corticosteroids. And definitely consult with a doc.
Thanks for sharing your journey Daniels95. Been struggling with something similar for the last few months. Fightin to not get depressed lately because of it. Here’s my story.
I think I got it after some chaffing from swimming in a creek then hiking back in whet shorts and boxers. Noticed a little bit of redness on the bottom of my shaft. Stupidly put some msm moogoo moisturizer on my dick for a few days in the morning. It has hops extract in it and other things. Probably worked out and and hiked with it on my dick. Woke up the next day with flaky skin around my dick and particularly in this one spot below my glands on my shaft. Stopped putting the moisturizer on it and it went away mostly except for the original pink areas, dryness and shinyness on my shaft. Then some more pink areas showed up. I was circumcised at birth but my skin still bunches up a little under my glands when I’m not erect which could lead to pockets of bacteria forming.
Had the full STD and bacteria swab tests. All negative.
Tried Clonea anti fungal for a week and it didn’t do anything. Just made it more pink. Left it for a while and it went down but came back after hiking and masterbating. (Doing those at separate times by the way....
Docs tried to give me steroid creams but I didn’t take any of them because I have had bad experience with them from other skin issues.
Found your post and got Mupirocin ointment from my doc today. They couldn’t find Fucidin in the system for some reason. Apparently it does the same thing.
Will try your routine with the ointment and salt baths for 14 days and update. Fingers crossed because this is messing with my head......
This has been quite relieving to read... unfortunately the relief hasn't reached the desired areas though lol
I've been going through a similar condition for the past 2 months. It all started after I was put on a high course of antibiotics for strep throat.
In that same week I had my dtap vaccination (tetanus diphtheria etc) . So I'm unsure if my immune system took a big hit from all that at once and the antibiotics killed all my good bacteria too?
We also got a new dog a few weeks before and he was getting all bitey with my hands.
It started with a burning sensation while peeing one morning, which felt like a UTI. Then the bite marks on my hands started getting white and scaley and very itchy.
Since then the burning sensation progressed to my penis glans tip and a couple of red lesions appeared. I saw my doctor who thought the chances of it being thrush in a man was too rare but arranged for urine tests for STIs. So went down that route. No STI no diabetes and no bacteria. Then a further urine sample to test for Herpes and other nasties. Again it came back no action. I asked the doc for a few fluconazole and he prescribed 3. This was about 2-3 weeks in. I also started using hydroconizole regularly with no effect. Tried having sex with my wife but the erection was agonising ( lately they don't hurt). Saw a pharmacist who advised resolve 1.0 which is a hydrocortisone and antifungal. This still didn't make much difference. Saw the doctor again who referred me to see a urologist for potential urethritis. Got pissed off with him so went to see another doctor. Now at this point my mental health has already been an issue since covid started, so my mind was going haywire and Google wasn't helping with scary answers. The next doctor I saw said to continue the hydrocortisone for a further week. During this time I've changed my lifestyle a little and reverted to loose fitting cotton underwear and even started pulling the foreskin back at night to try and keep it dry and breathe. Now this certainly alleviated a lot of the initial discomfort. I then went to the hospital and they took a bacterial swab and a viral swab for herpes as well as another urine test. This week they all came back negative. Now I'm really getting pissed off with it all. I bought myself fluconazole again yesterday as I feel this assists for a few days before getting worse again. The pharmacist there has asked me to request 50mg fluconazole daily for a month. In the past month I've also developed a red rash around my anus which is very uncomfortable. I went into chemist warehouse the other day and bought some QV moisturising cream after the doctor at the hospital said to try that and or sudocrem and give the steroids and fungal cream a rest. I also picked up a probitic colloidal moisturiser, which has actually given a little barrier relief around the anus... my penis isn't the biggest fan of it though. After more googling I found home treatments mentioned tea tree oil. Thankfully my wife is into DoTerra essential oils and has melaleuca, which is tea tree in fractionated coconut oil. Started with applying that this morning and boy did it offer some relief. Did make things look a lot more red but took the pain and discomfort away.
Now I'm off to see my doctor again tomorrow morning and feel I'd like him to not only prescribe the months supply of fluconazole but I'd really like to give this Fucidin ointment a try.
I'm glad I found this page as I'm also beginning to feel like the doctors think it's just in my head.
I hope they administer all of this for me to try. I don't think I have anything else to lose.
Ok, following on from my post last night. I've just seen my doctor and mentioned the Fucidin cream as you suggested. He actually prescribed Mupirocin 20mg, as someone else mentioned here. They reckon it's stronger than Fucidin, as Fucidin can actually be resistant topically according to their notes. I have to apply this 3 times a day for the next week. Then he has given me a months course of 50mg fluconazole to try if this doesn't work. Just for anyone's interest, this Mupirocin is a clear cream, which applies like something between gel and Vaseline. I can also apply around the anus for the redness.
Fucidin and Mupirocin/Bactroban are antibacterial ointments to treat strep and staphylococcus infections. Now considering the chest infection I had 2 months ago was diagnosed as strep throat, I'm thinking this could have spread maybe?
Anyway, now only time will tell if this makes a difference. I'll definitely keep you updated on my progress. Thanks again for being open enough to offer your story and suggestions.
I’m glad my post has helped out in someway. I just wanted to post my story to let others know they’re not alone and this is curable. I’m really keen on hearing how the Mupirocin works for you. Please update us on the results
I was interestingly very ill with a chest infection type thing prior to my balanitis starting. I'm seeing a doctor soon and requesting ABX (either: fucidin, mupirocin, metronidazole or amoxicillin clavulanate). How are things with you now?
Just a quick update from me. It’s been a week of using Mupirocin twice a day. The redness has gone down in most areas to a light pink or almost natural skin colour. There is still a few areas where there is pink and shiny skin that won’t quite heal. This is much better results then I had with the fungal Clonea cream after one week.
I will continue for another week and I might up it to 3 times a day to try to really clear it.
Thanks for sharing your story and the article Wolf WA. Totally understand the frustration with doctors and the whole process. Really been messing with my head as well. Hope you see some good results with Mupirocin.
Hey willy, please continue to share your experience. here someone who has been dealing almost 5 years now with this issue. Originally treated as a yeast infection with no results, I,ve always visited urologists (7 different uros) who always claimed that was nothing to worry about until this year I decided to go to a dermatologist. He prescribed me mupirocin mixed with aquaphor ointment twice a day for 1 month. Have never seen better results in 5 years! The first week it cleared the redness in a 95%, however weeks passed and then the irritation and the persistant redness came back :(. If I put mupirocin again i would go for a day or two, however will come back. Let me know how you doing with your issue and what worked best for you.
Wow! 5 years! That's scary, sorry to hear that. I've been using Mupirocin for 5 days now, as Willy said, still a little pink, like a ring around the tip with mine. Flared up a bit yesterday after a couple of erections, but immediately settles again after applying the cream.
What have the doctors said about your condition? I can't even begin to imagine dealing with this for 5 years. 2 months has been bad enough! I'm now taking 50mg fluconazole every day for the next 4 weeks too, see if that does anything. But I think I'll need more of this Mupirocin going forwards, or even ask to just try Fucidin next time.
Hey wolf, yeah its been tough, although the first 4 years did not affected me mentally speaking cause i was in a stable relationship and that’s also the reason why it did not excesively urge me to solve the problem. However, this last year I’ve been single and dude it has affected so much my sexual life to a point im avoiding to have relations. Anxiety hitting at its best. And I would dare to say that the mental condition has worsen the balanitis this last year.
Uros coincided that it is not an infection problem but a dermatologic problem. So went to this dermatologist last may and he suspected from psoriasis and zoons balanitis. Biopsy confirmed that was nothing! (“Unespecific alterations”). So the conclusion was non-specific balanitis due to atopic dermatitis. So thats my diagnostic right now, been treating with mupirocin and aquaphor (moisturizer) but i do not want to over use mupirocin or become dependent to it, at the end of the day is still an antibiotic and should not be over used (although my dermatologist says that there is no problem on over using it as it is a topical antibiotic).
I used mupirocin for an entire month from may to june and then intermitently using until now everytime i have flare ups (that seem to come every week unfortunately)
My condition is almost asyntomatic, except from mild pruritis and sticky red skin at the base of the glans that can cause difficulties to retract the foreskin sometimes.
I have had mild burning at tip area since about 2 months when I had exposure with someone - it was my head mucous membrane to the person's body skin contact ( not vaginal contact , just hand /body) .
The burning started within hours after exposure - therefore I have been wondering if it could have been chemical irritation - to anti-viral disinfectant that I used a little too much and it got on my penis head. ...... However I have not used this anti viral disinfectant since - and I doubt a chemical irritation could give burning sensation for 2 months after exposure ..
I wonder if the tip - burning that I feel could be due to dryness , as I usually don't use any cremes but maybe I should buy aloe.
Currently, throughout the day the burning is not constant, but I do feel it often ... it does not hurt but I am aware of it. It is also kinda mild burning - not too harsh.
Below is a pic.
I am trying Clotrimazol since 1 day.. doesn't feel to help at all.
Thanks for sharing your experience Daniels95. I have similar issue for 2 months now. Been applying canesten and it does not really seem to work.
My problem started when I went swimming in the morning and did not rinse off, and just left it there until I shower in the evening.
The next morning, the itchiness and redness started. Went to doctor and get all STI tests done, all came back negative.
This morning, I asked the doctor to prescribe me with Fucidin. I applied it once this morning, but I feel the itch is a bit worse than if I apply canesten cream?
Just wondering, when you start applying fucidin, do you feel abit more itchy than before applying it? Just want to see if this itchiness is meaning the fucidin is doing its work to kill the bacteria.
Thank you for sharing your story! It feels relieving to know that I am not the only one with this balanitis issue.
Sorry I should have mentioned that the fungal and bacterial tests results all came back negative. The fungal one maybe because I have been using canesten thats why it came back negative.
I am tempted to apply hydrocortisone but think I will perservere as hydrocortisone will only mask the problem.
I am thinking of two things:
1. Keep on using funicidin for two days to see if there is any improvement
2. Go back to doctor and ask for mupirocin.
Have we heard back from the guys that used mupirocin? I am keen to find out how is it going for them.
Thanks Daniels95, I am so glad I found this forum!
Today is my fourth day of using fucidin ointment. Most of the redness and blotchiness have gone. There is only a tiny spot on the glans where it is still red. Itchiness has gone completely.
The treatment so far has yielded much better result than using clotrimazole.
I am gonna continue applying fucidin twice a day for two weeks. Will provide update at the end of 2 weeks.
Hi Stevo, I also have an uncomfortable itch directly after starting the funicidin for the first time. Did you just push through this? I was concerned, so I washed it off and put back the Corticosteroid, so I could sleep. The funicidin itched/burned so much I could not sleep.
Daniels, been dealing with something similar since febuarary. Just wondering if your symptoms flared up after masturbation? Mine isnt to bad until I masturbate then it becomes super blotchy and red in parts for a while before it subsides again.
Hi Abdominalsnowman2020,Yes, masturbation definitely made symptoms worse. However, it’s not really something that can be avoided, so just have to be careful and be gentle
Also really glad you figured yours out and came back to tell people. Im sure youve realized how many men are suffereing with this and getting no where in the medical community.
Thanks a lot, Deniels95. I have been suffering from this kind of similar problem for nearly four months.
When I found a little red patch on my glans with some burning feeling in August. I went to see my family doctor, and the Doctor prescribed me Diprosone Cream 0.05%.
After about weeks, the symptoms did change much.
I went to him again, and he prescribed me Hydrozole Cream because he said it was like balanitis to me, and asked me to apply daily twice for two weeks.
In the meaning time, I did a whole test including STI, Virus, and Bacteria, all return results were negative.
I also went to see two dermatologists for a second opinion, and I was told to just keep hygiene and using slat water to wash.
I did have about six weeks of peaceful time, nearly all red patches went away.
About three weeks ago, I found the red patch came back to my glans and foreskin. I did whole tests again, and all results were negative again.
I went to see my family doctor again, and he prescribed me Kenacomb Ointment and the symptoms didn't change much.
My family doctor referred me to see another dermatologist, and this specialist told me that only use Diprosone Cream because this infection wasn't caused by fungus and bacterial.
I was totally confused, the infection did appearing on the glance and foreskin, but why the test results don't be detected.
Anyway, now, I am not the only one to struggle with this problem, and I am going to try your solution(Fucidin ointment 2%) for two weeks, and hope to get good results in the end.
Hi Daniels95, it is very important to identify the reason to cause problem.
When the whole test results of STI or STD are negative, it can be trusted because other STD symptoms will also easily be detected by doctor. It may not easy to identify fungal or bacterial to cause inflammation.
Could you please provide me more information how to ask doctor to do this kind of test?
If we know the reason, and then it will be easy and simple to use right medicine for final solution.
Hi all, thought i'd share my experiences. I've been dealing with this for 4-5 years. I've always had relatively sensitive skin, and needed to take great care with cleanliness after unprotected sex. about 10 years ago i spent a very bored and lonely sunday afternoon looking at the internet a bit too much. a few hours later i was literally writhing in agony at the uncontrolled itching. Canestan, no good at all. Went to see the doctor the next day and i alsmot wanted to grab him and scream "THIS IS A F*$CKING EMERGENCY!!!!" as the itching was making me homicidal/suicidal. He prescribed Trimovate cream, which worked a charm but i believe is a little strong. anyway, all was fine after a day or two, but whenever i got any redness/itching then i would apply a thin layer and then everything was fine again. fast forward several years and something similar happened, except this time the skin started itching and really just falling off. this had happened before and normally i'd just leave it a few days and it would sort itself out. this time that approach did not work. the flaking of the skin just kept getting worse and worse, it was like the skin was constantly replacing/regenerating itself. its not that it felt especially itchy, just very sensitive. so i started applying the Trimovate and it cleared up. But then i became almost dependent upon trimovate. this was FOUR years ago. I've seen doctors a handful of times, usually with me just saying "please prescribe me x/y/z". Doctors are generalists at the end of the day, so unless you see a specialist then a chronic problem probably wont be helped much by your GP. I've alternated between moisturisers, trimovate, hydrocortizone. Moisturisers seemed to work well for a while but resulted in very tight foreskin (so needed to supplement with trimovate to loosen the skin). Hydro-c just wound up resulting in redness. Canestan seemed to do almost nothing (now makes my skin red/sensitive).
I then went back to the doctor and demanded he prescribe me Trimovate again. he said they didnt make it anymore and i almost cried. However, he did say that Trimovate was made up of three ingredients: clobetasone butyrate (a steroid), nystatin (anti-fungal), and oxytetracycline (bacterial antibiotic). The last one mentioned also goes by the name of Fucidin! Fucidin has been my go-to for about the last year and everything has been fine. the problem is that i use it every single day so am completely dependent on it. it also recently stopped working. maybe this is because its out of date (i've ordered some more). so i tried the following again:
- Hydro-c: makes the skin super red/itchy
- canestan: clears up the spots, doesnt do much else apart from make me itchy
- moisturiser: as above
basically my skin is just way too thin now to use any of the above
since all of the above stopped working i just stopped using anything for a few weeks. my skin is nolonger replacing itself, but it is very sensitive. there's no way i can go for a run, and forget about sex. i had a strong erection yesterday morning when i was waking up and it was painful. So then i started searching the web again, and found this. THANKYOU EVERYONE! this has been a great resource. so here's what i'm now going to do:
1. order more fucudin
2. cycle on/off every week or so
3. go to the chemist and buy some bio-oil and emolient wash
4. go and see a proper sexual-health dermatologist
a couple of notes on the above.
first, a few years ago i started itching (like my whole body) and especially my scalp, and i started growing (what looked like) small warts on the back of my head (i know, gross) and had small lumps all over my fingers. so i started taking antihystemine daily and that fixes the itching, but didnt fix the red lumps/warts. then i decided to try the keto-diet (because all the 'cool' people seemed to be doing it) and all the lumps/itching stopped. so maybe part of my problem is some sort of allergy brought on by high-carb intake. i'm now going to be more rigid with my diet and see what effect this has
second, about 7 years ago i went to a Bikram Yoga class. shortly afterwards i developed a swollen tonsil and a minor but persistent cough (which i still have). i had it swabbed but all came back negative. my then girlfriend kept telling me "you've got strep-throat". i ignored her as she generally talked a lot of nonsense. however, someone also noted here that they had been diagnosed with Strep-B, so i do wonder if there's a connection
right, i'm off to the chemist. i'll let you know how i get on with the bio-oil, and the new diet. I will also let you know if i ever manage to see a doctor.
Finally, this is a great forum. thanks all for posting your experiences.
Am using Fucidin 3 times daily for a week now and finding it is starting to clear up but it leaves this white dead skin cells afterwards. Still not sure if it is 100% working because all the sensitive red spots have not disappeared yet completely. My doctor says to keep using it until it goes and this oitment shouldn't be harmful for long term use. Not sure if anyone else has used this for more than 2 weeks, but if so please do let me know.
After coming on here about 2 months ago I decided I needed to start trying new things before seeing a specialist that would almost certainly tell me to try to do things that were already in my power. Don’t recall exactly what I said previously but in summary the Fucidin wasn’t working.
Here’s what I also tried:
- Antibiotics incase it was related to Rosacia (these did nothing)
- Bio-oil, which did nothing
- Going back and forth with Fucidin (not “H”) and all this did was severely irritate my skin, so much so I woke up in the middle of the night in absolute agony
As I previously mentioned, Trimovate was literally the only thing that consistently worked, so I ordered some more (thanks @Hidden). Knowing that this was a steroid cream I figured it shouldn’t be abused so I decided to cycle on/off on alternate days. Thing is, the strawberry look never really went away so I was worried nothing had changed. The other issue is that on my ‘off’ days my glans would feel quite uncomfortable. Not itchy, just uncomfortable. I attribute this to using creams for many years but also because creams allow you to push the foreskin forward with ease. If there’s no cream it’s a little harder to pull your foreskin forward to the ‘right’ position. One day the ‘incorrect’ foreskin position meant I irritated the skin again and had to use the trimovate
However, the summary is that I haven’t needed to use Trimovate (or anything) for the last month. The skin still doesn’t look perfect, but its not irritated and I think that’s the key. I guess I just git myself in a bit of a vicious cycle.
Hope the above is useful to anyone suffering with the same
I had similar problems as many have stated above (I won't go into the boring details much), but only severe. I tried everything else- some made it worse, some gave few days of relief. But every single one of them had side effects.
The problem is initially when we see the rash we rush to men's health doctor who does all the tests, but once the tests come negative he doesn't know what to do. That's when we should realise that it's a skin problem. We should head straight to the dermatologist.
So, if all your tests are negative, then it is either psoriasis or dermatitis or eczema- all of which will most definitely be cleared by using Elidel cream (you need prescription for it).
Here are the tip from my own experience:
1. Use Elidel twice a day for about a month or two (you will see results in just a week or two, but continue using it). Then taper it down gradually and don't stop suddenly. When you taper it down rash might recur, but keep calm and follow the regime. It will clear. So, twice a day for a month or two. Then once a day for another month or two, then once in 2 days for a month or two, then once in 3 days for a month or two.... you know the drill.
2. Use Dermaveen Eczema Ointment (dermaveen.com.au/derma_prod... as a maintenance cream. So, when you are tapering down the Elidel, use this cream at the other times. The trick is to keep the area moisturised. You can use this 2-4 times a day as required, when not using Elidel cream.
You will get cream and lotion as well (apart from ointment), but ointment is the best since it does not contain any stabilising agents.
I really do hope that this is the thread I've been searching for.
Quick background:
Recurring balanitis (4 months in). Started right after I tested positive for Covid - I somehow have a suspicion that a lot of these recent occurrences are somehow linked to Covid but let me not get all conspiracy theorist.
Go to GP and as always it might be in my head and I'm just obsessed. Doc prescribed Fluconazole and Nystatin and immediately suggests circumcision (No way in hell).
Used meds for two weeks daily and seemed to be getting better. Changed diet and started exercising again hoping to maximise chances of recovery but to no avail.
Stopped medication and tried to keep foreskin retracted all the time to simulate circumcision (saw on a reddit thread). This helped a lot but started having problems with foreskin and serious red patches and dots all over. Tried Fluconazole and Nystatin again.
Go to Urologist and prescribes Ketoconazole. Used for 2 weeks and gets better and back then to square one.
Just purchased Fucudin 2% and started using yesterday. I am really hoping that this would do the trick.
I don't think that people realise that it's not just the physical discomfort but rather the psychological impact of constantly looking down to take a wiz and seeing an unhealthy dude down there.
I hope that this does the trick! Will update my progress throughout the next few days.
Chronic Balanitis is not only physically debilitating but also a highly psychological stress and depression causing condition. When suffered frequent flare-ups, it not only affects the sufferer but also mentally affect the whole family and friends.
Some statistics infer that the condition is suffered by up to 1 in every 30 males in sampled groups. That is very high number when extrapolated to all relevant male population.
Possible reasons and treatments vary from person-to-person.
** Combination of Possible Reasons: **
>> Poor Hygiene,
>> Use of scented soaps,
>> Over-sexual activity (often caused by watching too much porn, vigorous prolonged masturbation),
>> Wearing tight underwear,
>> Diabetic,
>> Iron/Vitamin B/ Vitamin D deficiency,
>> High Cholesterol,
>> Sitting on chair for long periods,
>> Prolonged dieting - not eating for long periods,
>> Food allergies,
...
** Possible Home Remedies: **
Used correctly, below remedies can provide near to normal respite, if not full recovery.
>> Use soap replacements,
>> Wear loose underwear,
>> Use non-bio detergents to wash clothes,
>> Keep area dry : use hot-air blower once or twice a day,
>> Take (cholesterol reducing, if relevant) probiotic drink - once a day,
>> Non-sexual massage of pubic area - once or twice a day,
>> Apply uncontaminated coconut oil once a day,
>> Wash with salt water once a day,
>> Uncontaminated Tea tree oil,
>> Change office chair, if your job needs you to sit at desk all day
>> Vitamin-fortified balanced diet,
>> limit porn watching and other sexual excitements. Give up relevant for a period of time,
>> Daily brisk walk for 30-40minutes
...
Not to over-do on any of the remedies suggested because not all possible for everyone or not all will work for everyone. Lot of trail and error will be needed for each remedy.
Everything in moderation and not beyond one's level of comfort.
**GPs and Consultants: **
Most GPs and specialists treat the condition same as eczema. No consistent testing and treatment regime in place for this condition either.
Following creams are prescribed
>> Elidel
>> Eumovate
>> Canesten HC
>> Fucidin
>> Mometasone Furoate
..
Most of these creams really supposed to be for short-term use but some doctors prescribe for on-going use.
Unfortunately, some doctors give up saying it is a condition patients have to live with.
**Swab, STI Screening, Biopsy**
Swab and STI Screening are not very good at diagnosing the balanitis condition. They often give negative result because of the usage of creams.
Biopsy is very painful procedure that needs the patient to not use any creams for at least 4 weeks. It often finds no conclusive diagnosis.
** Medical research**
Quite a few articles on internet but most of them are not based of full-proof medical research.
Seeing all the posts in social media, this condition needs proper research by organisation like health-unblocked?
I've been having I feel something identical to you it started last year in the summer, it's been almost immediate after a fleshlight use, I thought its yeast so I was using it all.. Clotrimazolum few times, some cortiseroids, some hyaluronic salts, travogen, travocort, itrax. I feel clueless
I literally had 4 weeks of Itrax 2x daily, which is an insane amount of antifungal medication (covering my penis with travogen and travocort for a month) it went away but 2 weeks later it came back. I threw away my fleshlight and bought a new one and I feel the new one is doing the same... I'm throwing this away but I just want to have "no tenderness on the tip" it's literally becoming red and tender in a specific spot and maybe a part of the skin next to it.
I had a fungal swab and its on colony now to grow the fungus to see what type of fungus is attacking me but the initla test came back negative inclusive of all STIs.
I am definitely going to try this fucidin ointment with my dermatologist because it feels like forever that I had this trouble with, I literally feel depressed and anxious just due to this... the worst part was all the doctors who don't care and give you the off-the-shelf treatment that is always ineffective..
Noone really knows or gets how awfully frustrating it is to have something recurring as much as this... it's not lethal but it's damn persistent..
I just wish to verify, did you have redness around and or the tip? and on and off it'd just peel? like the area would start coming off and then becomes red after masturbation or sex?
this post gave me hope I had the similar thing happen to me got stressed about it and been dealing with it for a month or two now but soon as I applied fucidin it’s started to heal things up 3 days in and my penis is back to normal still a few patches but am back on the mend hoping to be back to normal in a few days thanks Daniel !!
I hope you are very well and thank you very much for writing this post.
I was 2 hours prior to seeing my sexual health doctor (after almost 2 months of suffering) found this blog post and asked my doctor to give me Fucidin and he did.
My issues:
Peeling, split, cracked, foreskin, testicle and then my inner thigh chafing with red tiny bumps and rash from the rough/dry testicle ( i think it's from rubbing against the skin).
After 24hours of Fucidin Ointment, my foreskin and testicle finally didn't peel and regrow skin. However, my inner thigh becoming very itchy as ever before.
It's like I can see the healing is on its way but on the other hand, my inner thigh is worsened 😒😒😒
I hope it's just the side effects of fucidin that are working on the skin.
So I thought I should keep everyone posted, not sure who will ever read this...
It's been almost 2 weeks now, my groin "chaf" was coming back at around day 10 ( been using hydrozole as it was itchy for the first time I thought it was jock itch)
hi guys i must say thanks to this article. i had balanist 2month ago and i went to gp to ask help. my gp only quick look and said is fungal infection and give me trimovate cream. i had to go back as cream is does not work for me.
gp told me keep use cream and this is fungal infection. so i have used this cream for about one month
by the end month .thing get worse foreskin turn red and penis head skin peeling off when erection. i went gp Again and they said this normal because is dry. but i know is not normal and i do not think is fungal infection.
i go search Google and i find this article. i decide to give try fucidin. cream work well and redness remove in 3days . penis head start stop peeling off.
my penis skin back normal now and thank you so much this article . thank you.
i think gp always treat balanist as fungal which use de fungal cream. but you may try treat this one as bacterial infection which fucidin work well for me.
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