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What causes soreness under head of penis?

This Premium Q&A, reviewed and published, features a real conversation between an iCliniq user and a physician.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

Yesterday I was doing my thing (masturbating) and I noticed a little soreness under the head of penis. I have been going at it probably twice a day lately. I am just a little concerned that it may be herpes. But I have not been sexually active for a very long time. Also, I have had two negative herpes blood test 28 weeks post exposure and again 70 weeks post exposure from my last sexual encounter and both negative. I did test positive for HSV1 though. I usually get between one to three outbreaks annually on my top and bottom lip.

Anyway, I have noticed irritation in that area in the past when I masturbate so I am not sure if it is just a minor chaffing or friction burn or possibly herpes. I am currently being treated for genital warts that my last girlfriend left me with almost 17 months ago. So I am very conscious of any changes below the belt. I did not happen to notice any blistering but the area looks shiny and a little wet. I am not experiencing any pain either.

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I have been through your case in detail. Well in short as you know there are two possibilities:

1. Friction erosion.

2. It could be herpes infection. Herpes 2 usually on genitalia and herpes 1 on lips.

As now there is no limitation in having herpes 1 on genitalia due to common oral sex. So in my opinion, you may have it as blistering is not the only presentation, superficial erosions also represent herpes. So it is always better to keep pathology of herpes in mind rather rely only on the frictional blister. For management, do the following:

  1. IgM or IgG for herpes 1 and 2, repeat.
  2. Tablet Acyclovir 4oo mg three times a day.
  3. Mix Fucidin cream and Acyclovir cream in equal amount and apply two to three times a day.

All treatment for seven days.

Patient's Query

Thank you doctor,

I just left the clinic and had it inspected. She agreed that it was most likely a friction erosion or break in the skin from masturbating, and was not convinced it was herpes. She swabbed the area and sent it out for PCR testing to just to make sure though.

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

That is a good news for you. Wish you a very good health. May your tests turn negative.

Answered byDr. Shanza Ikram

Medically reviewed byiCliniq medical review team

Published At June 22, 2018
Reviewed AtApril 22, 2024

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