[Question #13329] Red dots after itchy for a few weeks

Avatar photo
7 days ago
Hi doctors,

Background: I am 31M uncircumcised male who practice safe sex 99% of the time. Last time I was tested all negative was 3 months ago and after that I had several protected sex and 2-3 unprotected sex with a partner who was just tested negative for everything. 

In the last couple of weeks, sometimes I feel itchy at my foreskin/penis without any other symptoms (I examined very closely) Also sometimes I felt VERY itchy immediately after I masturbated or had protected sex. The itch goes away the second day. I used anti fungal cream and the symptoms improved and I would feel good for a couple of days, but I never used the cream for more than 2 days (when I felt good I stopped)

Today when I woke up I saw a few red bumps on my penis which I saw before, and I applied cream again. Last time I had sex was 2 weeks ago. No other symptoms at all… 

I do want to mention that I travel a lot and I am in MI most of the time so the weather/air wasn’t good. I also need to wear chino pants most of the days. 

What do you recommend? What do you think I got? Thanks! 

Avatar photo
7 days ago
I do wanna add during these few weeks I had stronger urge to pee when I wanted to… 
Avatar photo
H. Hunter Handsfield, MD
6 days ago
Welcome back to the forum. Thank you for your continued confidence in our services.

The symptoms you describe are not those of HIV or any STI. This sounds mostly like just physical irritation of your penis, or perhaps a superficial fungal infection or other dermatitis. "Stronger urge to pee" also is not an STI symptom. The large majority of genital skin problems are not due to STIs and your travel, weather, or clothing almost certainly have nothing to do with the problem. I have a book titled Genital Dermatology Atlas. As the name implies, it is filled with photos and brief descriptions of genital skin problems. It is 300 pages long. Of those pages, all STIs are covered in 15 pages. That tells you how infrequently STIs are responsible for such problems.

You might try a mild steroid cream like hydrocortisone and/or an anti fungal cream (look for products in the same part of a pharmacy as athletes foot treatments). If the problem persists, see a doctor, ideally a dermatologist. I see no need to be tested for any STI.

I hope these comments are helpful. Let me know if anything isn't clear.

HHH, MD
---
Avatar photo
11 hours ago
Thank you! 
I do have a follow-up that is not entirely related so please let me know if I should submit another thread.
I met a girl in US who told me she is a carrier of Hepatitis B and indicated she is intersted in having sex with me. I certianly appreicate her honesty. I am not sure whether and when I got Hep B vaccine but I checked and my results are: Hep B surface antibody: 88.53 mIU/mL on July 2019; Hep B surface antigen: non-reactive on Dec 2020. I had no other tests after these 2 tests (as you know std panel doesn't cover it). I do plan to wear condom for penile-virginal sex, but probably not oral sex. Considering the tests were 5 years ago, do I need to worry about anything? Anything I should keep in mind? Am I 'protected'?
Thanks!
Avatar photo
H. Hunter Handsfield, MD
1 hours ago
As you apparently realize, the opportunity for follow-up comments is intended for the main original topic, not new issues. However, the answer to this is brief and easy. Your blood test results prove you are immune to hepatitis B virus (HBV) during to your past immunization. The HBsAb level of 88.63 five years ago was very high and almost certainly effective level will persist for life. You are entirely free of HBV risk if you pursue a relationship with this potential partner.

That completes the two follow-up comments and replies included with each question and so ends this thread. I hope the discussion has been helpful. Best wishes and stay safe.

---