Worried about a seemingly recurring rash.

[Tellya Later]

Okay I don't know how to say this without seeming like a typical single male but I have had a recurring rash right around the glans of my penis. It doesn't move nor does it seem to spread. Its gone in a week at most and its never an actual open wound except for the time I kept picking at it as it can best be described as a severe itchy dry spot that sort of dries out and scabs. I do meet couples and save for three instances I have used condoms. Of those three 2 were with couples where they were the only ones I met (and it was generally true for them too) and an EXTREMELY stupid mistake with a single female when I first started meeting people. Anyway this rash/dry spot only appeared after I strarted seeing the latest couple. Its been them and only them for the past year. What's even more odd is that the rash first appeared 8 months after the last time I was with them, which also happened to be unprotected. By the time I got around to getting it checked there was nothing to talk about as it was gone. Not to mention that when I finally did get to the doctor for my yearly physical he not only shrugged off a referal to an ortho for my back but he said since I got blood work done last year I don't need to get it this year???!!! I was dumbfounded so much I didn't get a chance to refute it.

I plan on going this week to the doctor if I can but I just want to know if what I have could be an STD? I know its possible but it looks like nothing I've seen on the net and I have no symptoms for anything that I could find at the CDC. The only thing I could think of was that since I have sensitive skin as well as ecsema, and I'm a typical single male, that it might be from my penis resting on the side of the tiny toilet we have. This sounds odd but I hardly have go #2 at home...mostly its at work and there I have room and I don't rest on the edge. I've since adjusted my style of going #2 and that seemed to work. But its back again but its been 3months since the last time.

Another idea I had was that it seems that friction with clothing seems to do it too but then again I could have noticed the friction after the rash/dry spot started.



I really don't want this to be what it may as I really care for this couple and I see them as friends. They have my trust and I have not misled them and it really weighs on my shoulders that I may have passed something on to them.

[Flori_DAMAN]

If it is external it isn't from feces or bacterial contamination.

I had that once and it went right to my balls. That was hell.

If it is on the skin then you need to go to a doctor while it is active to find out what it is. It could even be a reaction to your laundry detergent. Do you have allergies to other things?

Excema on the penis would be rare unless you have it elsewhere.

John.

[ciscosv]

Dont know what may be afflicting your penis. I get dry patches on my arms that lotion seems to take care of. Damn Michigan dry winters are to blame. This is excema.. sp? Thats kind of odd if it is scabbing though. I would be worried about this. Planned Parenthood may be a better place to go for answers and testing. It never hurts to be too cautious especially when others are involved.

[OhioCouple]

Originally posted by ciscosv
Planned Parenthood may be a better place to go for answers and testing. It never hurts to be too cautious especially when others are involved.

Wow. Planned Prarenthood takes in men now? It used to be the primary place for women, men (the ones that cared) only showed up in support of the women, not to be seen.

:::shrugs:::: My age is obviously showing...

I agree that you need to get to a doctor. It could be something very simple, but you need to go when it is active, not dormant.

Lori

[Tellya Later]

Originally posted by Flori_DAMAN
If it is external it isn't from feces or bacterial contamination.

I had that once and it went right to my balls. That was hell.

If it is on the skin then you need to go to a doctor while it is active to find out what it is. It could even be a reaction to your laundry detergent. Do you have allergies to other things?

Excema on the penis would be rare unless you have it elsewhere.

John.

Okay... this doesn't travel at all like that.

But it does scab and I remembered what I concluded that last time this happend: my condoms. This is may be a bit TMI but I often used my condomes to masturbate in. The ones I have are Trojan UltraPleasure w/Nonoxynol-9. When you said detergent I it made the connection almost obvious since Non-9 is a detergent...and that each time I'd used the condoms to masturbate. Why wouldn't they affect me during sex? only thing I can think of is that I shower afterwards...compared to lubricant residue sitting there for a few hours before the next morning.

Either way I'm getting checked because the rash is visible now.

[ciscosv]

Good luck. It's always better to be safe than sorry.

[Roxysbayou]

My ex-husband (he he) was allergic to condoms. He would have a similar reaction, only I think his was to latex, and covered his entire penis if he wore one.

[OhioCouple]

Originally posted by Roxysbayou
My ex-husband (he he) was allergic to condoms.

Was that a laugh (he he) or was (he he) a major macho man (he he)? ....

Just kidding with you Roxysbayou...

Lori

[Roxysbayou]

That was a laugh (a synical laugh that only an EX wife can do)...still laughing...here I am telling that poor guys business to the world.

[PaulKing]

...it is most likely an allergic reaction. Causes include lubricants, reactions to female products, latex allergies (Type I, II and III).

Do you get it when you use condoms? Do you get it when with a particular partner?

The best way to find the cause is to narrow down the possible causes by elimination. If the rash becomes open sores seek medical help without delay.

Give me more details and I may be able to offer you concrete advice.

Keep well

Paul

[PaulKing]

Never use any product with N9. It is very, very bad news. I have promised to refrain from posting references but it you need to know more I can e-mail you information.

Paul

[Tellya Later]

I'm not sure what you mean by open sore (if I haven't seen it must not of had one right?) but the "scabs"/rough dry spot was gone like 3 days after I posted. It hasn't come back but I also haven't masturbated with condoms again. So it probably was the condom...which happens to be lubed with a non-9 lubricant.

And I know about non-9..but I bought these condoms before found out. I just got some unlubed Crowns. Still need lube though...

[PaulKing]

The N9 is probably not the cause. My guess is that you have developed either a latex allergy or an allergy to one of the other lubricants.

I am attaching a list of lubricant side effects. In most cases latex allergy is not a serious health threat but in a few cases it can lead to Type III reactions that can be fatal.

Try to avoid latex. Not only condoms but gloves and even balloons. Latex reactions build up very slowly sometimes over ten or twenty years. Tell your doctor you may have latex allergy as it is very important that in case of serious illness the hospital is aware of this.

I am not trying to alarm you but taking reasonable precautions is always wise.


____

COMMON LUBRICANTS AND THEIR SIDE EFFECTS



Nonoxynol 9: Poison by intraperitoneal route. Mutation data reported. When to decomposition, it emits acrid smoke and fumes (HC, . 958).
Parrafin: Possible carcinogen with experimental tumorigenic data by implant route. (HC, p. 982; HOP, p. 212).
Chlorhexidine: Mildly toxic by ingestion. Skin irritant. Mutation data reported (HC, p. 167).
Lidocaine: Poison by ingestion and subcutaneous routes. Excitement, hallucinations, distorted perceptions, changes in heart rate, and
dyspnea. Anaesthetic rapidly absorbed by mucous membranes. Excessive doses may cause methemoglobinemia (HC, p. 439;
HOP, p.341.)
Mineral oil/petrolatum: A human teratogen that causes testicular tumors in the fetus.
of vapor or particles can cause pneumonia. Possibly
produces gastrointestinal tumors. Deposits accumulate in the lymphnodes and dissolves and prevents the absorption of vitamin A from the intestines (HC, p. 885; HOP. p. 206, 410.)
Polyethylene glycol: Moderately toxic. Eye irritant. Possible carcinogen and flammable. Many glycols produce severe acidosis, central nervous system damage, and congestion (HC, p. 1053; HOP,
pp. 193-195.)
Sodium borate: A.K.A. borax. Toxic to all cells. Prolonged absorption casues anorexia, vomiting, diarrhea, and anemia (HOP, p. 396).
Propylene glycol: Slightly toxic. Causes convulsions, mutations, and surface EEG changes (HC, p. 1086).
Carboxymethylcellulose,
hydroxymethylcellulose,
polyscorbate 60: The first of these compounds has been shown to cause cancer in animals. Used in cosmetics, inhalation of these products
could cause chemical pneumonitis. Bodily implantation of these substances will cause foreign body [antibody] reaction (HOP, p. 308).
Triethanolamine: Moderately toxic by ingestion. Liver and kidney damage has been demonstrated in animals from chronic exposure. Possible carcinogen (HC, p. 1273).
Methylparaben, propylparaben: Close chemical cousins of benzoic acid. Poisonous and moderately toxic. An allergen. Causes dyspnea and allergic
dermatitis (HC. pp. 132, 695, 702).

Source: The Hazardous Chemicals Desk reference (HC) and The Handbook of Poisoning (HOP).

[JustAskJulie]

Originally posted by PaulKing
Never use any product with N9. It is very, very bad news. I have promised to refrain from posting references but it you need to know more I can e-mail you information.

Paul

I think that all people were asking you to do was to provide links to your references instead of quoting the full articles here. That way they can read your thoughts and if they choose they can follow the links and read the articles rather than being forced to do both. So by all means include links to your references.

[M&B]

I am going out on a limb here, but, there is a slight possibility that it could be a yeast or yeast like infection. I know, yeast infections are a female problem. Well, I think otherwise in some cases.

If you wear underwear and live in humid or damp conditions, you will retain an enviroment that yeast could survive. If, during sex play, any contact with a person carrying yeast or has an actual infection going on, and if this gets transferred to your genitals and if, if, if, then, you could grow your own little yeast farm.

How do I know this? It happened to me some years ago. The symptoms sound familiar. Drove me nuts!

A myconizole type treatment may help. Keeping the area dry and well aired out is good, too. Yeast seems to strongly dislike oxygen. Get nude and stay that way for a week or a month.

Good luck.