Q. What is the reason for the appearance of red color rashes on my penis even though STD tests are negative?

Hi doctor,

I am going through a stressful situation. Two years back, I had an encounter with my married school friend. A week after that, I got a rash that was slightly painful and non-itchy on my penis. I consulted a venereologist, and he prescribed some steroids and Allegra tablets. After using them, things were normal. ELISA test was performed twice (one in the fourth week and the other in the twelfth week), and the results were negative along with VDRL. After that, I never had penetrative sex (in any form) to date.

After a few months, once again, red rashes, which are different from the first one, appeared on my penis, and it was not painful nor itchy, and it went away quickly in less than 24 hours. I consulted the same doctor. He mentioned that it is because of allergy and confirmed that it is not even herpes and to track the food items which I eat along with new medications and soaps.The appearance of rashes became very common since I can see them in the morning with my penis being red in color with no pain or itching or discomfort and disappearing in the evening or as the day progresses. It goes way without using any creams or medications.

But nowadays, the frequency has increased, and it lasts for more than a day and goes away, or at times for more than a day or so. It cannot be predicted nowadays. I was not convinced, as the appearance of rashes was bothering me a lot, and hence consulted another doctor. He requested to undergo few more tests (ESR, CRP, HSV-1 and HSV-2, hepatitis, TPHA, etc.). All the reports turn out to be normal. The reports are attached for your reference. The occurrence of the rashes makes me uncomfortable and makes my daily life miserable.

Kindly help.

Hi doctor,

Thanks for the reply.

I have taken HSV 1 and 2, IgM and IgG tests long back. IgG type 1 was positive. Now I have repeated the tests, and all are positive. What can I do now?