HomeAnswersDermatologycandidal balanoposthitisWhat can I do about my dry foreskin and inflamed glans penis?

My foreskin is dry with red and inflamed glans penis. Is this a fungal infection?

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The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

Medically reviewed by

Dr. Vinodhini J.

Published At December 5, 2020
Reviewed AtSeptember 5, 2023

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

I am a 32-year-old male suffering from phimosis until a few months back. It got cured through homeopathy medicine and cream. However, after that, I have started seeing red and white spots on penis glans, a little itchy but not always. The glans is too dry, and I have to use lubrication like Vaseline or coconut oil daily. Due to dryness, the entire foreskin does not get easily pulled, and the tip of the glans penis is exposed and has friction with underpants, and becomes red and inflamed. I visited a doctor, and he gave Acivir cream once after a bath in the morning and Candid-B lotion to apply twice daily. No oral medication was given. It has been a month, the situation has improved by only 20 to 30%. Not sure if it is a fungal or viral infection. My father is a diabetic. I tested my blood sugar a month back, and it was 106 mg/dL of fasting and 104 mg/dL of PP. I have no sexual exposure, as well. Please help.

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

It is candidal balanoposthitis. Apply Candid cream at night for ten days and Fucidin (Fusidic acid) cream twice daily for seven days. Use Episoft cleanser or No soap cleanser to clean the genitals daily as hygiene plays a very important role in this case. Take tablet Levocetirizine 5 mg at night for seven days (if itching), Fluconazole 150 mg once a week for three weeks. Do not use Candid B. Candid B has a steroid in it, which should not be used for a long time on sensitive penile skin. Please avoid scratching or rubbing lesions as it may cause secondary bacterial infection. Have you done a urine culture test, swab tests, urine routine or microscopy, and other laboratory investigations?

Patient's Query

Thank you doctor,

I have done the urine routine and culture this week and attached the reports. It seems like e.coli is there. Can I use Fucidin ointment (contains Sodium Fucidate), or has to be strictly Fucidin cream? Should Fluconazole be taken after food or before food? Is this course for 7-10 days? Or shall I continue the application? I am very anxious about this. Is it dangerous or risky? Now the reports have come, are there any changes in the medicines?

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Your urine reports are normal (attachment removed to protect patient identity). Use T-Bact cream (Mupirocin) instead of Fucidin in the daytime for ten days. Take tablet Ciplox (Ciprofloxacin hydrochloride) 500 mg once in a day for five days, Candid cream at night for ten days, and tablet Levocetirizine 5 mg at night for ten days (if itching).

Patient's Query

Thank you doctor,

I have taken all your medicines as prescribed (except Fluconazole 150 mg as that was not prescribed after my urine test), and attached are the clinical pictures after ten days of treatment. I feel like it is 70 to 80 % cured. But you can see the pictures and comment. The glans is still dry if I do not apply the cream. There are still small red grains still present. I have a couple of questions. Why the glans still look grayish? The glans skin started coming out, replacing the old infected skin with new skin. Is this true?

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Apply Miconazole gel (Micogel) twice daily for 15 days. (on dry circular patches). Stop other creams. Skin peeling is due to dryness. Use Aveeno moisturizer after bath for 20 days. Is there itching or any other symptoms?

Patient's Query

Thank you doctor,

No itching in these ten days. Shall I apply Miconazole gel on the foreskin too? Twice daily means after bath in the morning and evening or night. Is that correct? No other symptom. Is it healed and improved?

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

There is improvement seen (80 percent improvement). Apply Micogel twice daily during noon and night. After the bath, use Aveeno moisturizer. Apply Micogel on dry patches and papules. Hygiene plays a vital role. Maintain proper genital hygiene. Wear loose, thin, comfortable cotton inners. Avoid tight clothes and inners. Avoid occlusion, friction, maceration, scratching, or rubbing lesions. Follow up after two weeks.

Patient's Query

Thank you doctor for the reply,

So, attached are my clinical pictures after 15 days of medication. As prescribed, I am applying Miconazole gel twice and a moisturizer after a bath. As a result, the glans have become very dry, as you can see in the pictures. The skin is peeling, and white flakes come out during cleaning. I am cleaning through only lukewarm water, without scratching or rubbing. I always wear loose cotton inners. Is this a sign of healing, or is it something new that has developed? Please let me know whether I should continue or stop the medication.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I suggest you apply Fusidic acid cream twice daily for seven days, along with a moisturizer during the daytime for 15 days. Additionally, take tablet Levocetirizine 5mg once at night after dinner for seven days if you experience itching. Along with this, use a neutral non-soap cleanser to clean your genitals. Schedule a follow-up appointment after 10 days.

Thank you.

Patient's Query

Thank you doctor for the reply,

The only question I have is why it is not healing completely after a month. I am becoming concerned. Is there something new happening? Is it necessary to use a neutral non-soap cleanser, or can I simply wash with lukewarm water?

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

It will take one to two months to heal completely. Observe the factors that may aggravate the condition and avoid any risk factors. Hygiene plays a very important role. If you are washing with lukewarm water, do not forget to pat dry as moisture can promote fungal growth. Using a neutral cleanser will not cause any harm. I would like to know if you have a history of atopy or allergies, eczematous lesions, or a family history of psoriasis.

Thank you.

Patient's Query

Thank you doctor for the reply,

I have no history of atopy. I am allergic to drumsticks; when I eat them, I experience rashes, swollen lips, and itching. As a result, I stopped eating drumsticks years ago. I also have no history of eczematous lesions and no family history of psoriasis. During childhood, I used to have fungal infections on my feet due to sweat and continuous use of shoes. I experienced a lot of itching during the summer, and my skin would peel off. Back then, I used to apply antifungal powder. However, those issues have not persisted into adulthood.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Scaling, crusting, and discoloration can occur in the subacute phase of eczema. In the acute phase, there is erythema (redness) and edema (swelling). In the chronic phase, there is thickening and lichenification (hardening of the skin). Irritant contact dermatitis is a type of eczema that can occur due to the use of chemicals or harsh soaps. Allergic contact dermatitis can be caused by the use of lubricants or latex, among other factors. In sebopsoriasis, there are silvery white scales on an erythematous (red) base, and symptoms often worsen in winter. It is a chronic, recurrent condition. To achieve rapid resolution and prevent relapses, it is crucial to identify the exact cause and perpetuation of the disease and take corrective measures accordingly. This may include discontinuing any factors causing irritation. For dry eczema, a topical corticosteroid like 1 percent hydrocortisone should be applied twice daily in a small amount for 10 days. Additionally, using a local antibiotic cream like Fusidic acid cream can help prevent secondary bacterial infections.

Thank you.

Patient's Query

Thank you doctor for the reply,

I am not using coconut oil. I have no sexual history or sexual activity. I am a virgin and will be getting married in the coming months, so the possibility of a sexually transmitted infection (STI) can now be ruled out. As I mentioned earlier, I had phimosis until a few months ago, and there was a lot of smegma, which resulted in balanitis and balanoposthitis. I was not aware that the foreskin should be pulled back to reveal the shaft of the glans, as my foreskin was tight and may have later become adhered to the glans. A few months ago, I consulted a homeopathic doctor who helped me loosen the foreskin, and the phimosis is now gone. The entire area is clean, with no dirt or smegma present. However, this infection persists. Could it be eczema?

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Poor hygiene is a common cause of balanoposthitis. It can lead to white patches on the head of the penis. Foul-smelling, white, and lumpy discharge can be observed under the foreskin and in skin folds. Additionally, poor hygiene may contribute to phimosis (inability to pull back the foreskin). Eczema is another possible cause of balanitis. Risk factors include indiscriminate use of broad-spectrum antibiotics, dry skin, eczema, failure to dry the private parts after washing them, steroid use, uncontrolled sugar levels, low immunity, and uncontrolled diabetes. The use of scented soaps, moisturizers, or lubricants can irritate the skin. While the condition is usually not transmitted through sexual activity, it is advisable to refrain from sexual activity until the infection is treated.

In cases of mild infection, no treatment may be necessary, or a single dose of tablet Fluconazole 150 mg can be effective. Topical creams like Clotrimazole cream and Miconazole cream may take longer to show results and are typically prescribed for seven to 14 days. Oral antifungals are recommended for severe infections, in diabetics, and in patients with low immunity. In cases of severe inflammation, topical corticosteroids like Desonide or 1 percent Hydrocortisone (very low potency or low concentration) may also be prescribed along with topical antifungal cream. Treatment with antifungals has a high cure rate of 95 percent, but relapse is common if the underlying problem is not identified and treated.

Maintaining good hygiene is crucial for preventing and treating this condition. The head of the penis should be carefully washed with warm water after retracting the foreskin. Avoid using scented or harsh soaps on the genitals. Pat dry the penis and glans with a soft towel after retracting the foreskin. Wear loose underpants to keep your genitals cool and dry, and maintain proper control of your blood sugar levels. When urine containing sugar dribbles and stays on the glans penis and foreskin, it creates a friendly environment for yeast and bacteria to grow, leading to infection. In cases of recurrent infection, the underlying cause must be identified and treated. Rule out risk factors and take appropriate precautions and preventive measures.

Thank you.

Patient's Query

Thank you doctor for the reply,

My sugar levels are under control, as I mentioned earlier, with a fasting level of 106 mg/dl and a post-prandial level of 104 mg/dl. No glucose was detected in the culture test. Could you please prescribe the medication? Can Fucidin cream twice daily and Moisturizer be applied? Do I also need an antifungal cream or oral medication?

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

I suggest applying 1 percent Hydrocortisone cream at night for seven days, and Fucidin cream twice daily in the morning and at noon for seven days. I also suggest you take one tablet of Fluconazole 150mg once a week for three weeks, and one tablet of Levocetirizine 5mg at night for seven days (if you experience irritation or burning). Additionally, use moisturizer after bathing for 20 days.

Have you completed the two-week course of topical antifungal medications? If not, you can continue using Clotrimazole or Micogel until you have completed the full two weeks.

Thank you.

Patient's Query

Thank you doctor for the reply,

I am attaching clinical pictures taken after about 10 days. I believe there has been significant improvement. What do you think? The skin peeling is no longer present, and flaky skin has also cleared up. However, there is still some dryness, which I manage by applying moisturizer after bathing. I have been diligently following all of your instructions. Nevertheless, I have noticed some small red bumps or reddish patches. If I discontinue using Hydrocortisone 1%, could the skin peeling return? Please advise on the next steps.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Significant improvement is noticeable (attachments removed to protect patient's identity). Please maintain proper hygiene and use a cleanser to clean the genital area. You can gradually reduce the frequency of steroid application to a very mild level for a few days (three to four days) before discontinuing it.

Thank you.

Patient's Query

Thank you doctor for the reply,

I have stopped using the steroid cream, as you recommended earlier. I am now applying only moisturizer after bathing and Fucidin cream once a day. I have attached clinical pictures for your reference. Have you noticed the return of the whitish, dry, and patchy skin in the pictures taken immediately after bathing and patting dry? Once I apply moisturizer, it appears more pinkish and well-controlled. Additionally, there are two small pimple-like bumps that have recently appeared, as circled in the pictures. I have not engaged in any sexual activity. Should I continue using moisturizer, perhaps twice a day? Are there any potential side effects if I use it for a longer period? It seems that my glans skin lacks natural lubrication and is therefore very dry. The foreskin looks good now, but the glans remain patchy. I have been following all the hygiene recommendations you provided. I have completed the Micogel course of 15 days and the three-week course of Fluconazole as prescribed by you.

What are the next steps you recommend?

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

A significant improvement is noticeable (attachments removed to protect patient's identity). Please continue using moisturizer twice daily for the next 10 days. Are you still experiencing itching or irritation?

Thank you.

Patient's Query

Thank you doctor for the reply,

No itching or irritation. Should I stop using Fucidin as well? What about the bumps I highlighted? Will they go away on their own, or should I apply any cream?

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Apply Fucidin cream twice daily to the bumps for seven days. Avoid scratching or rubbing the lesions or bumps, and refrain from popping or pricking them.

Thank you. I hope your queries are resolved and any further queries are welcome.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Dhepe Snehal Madhav
Dr. Dhepe Snehal Madhav

Venereology

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