Brief Answer:

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Detailed Answer:

Hello,

Without being able to see the rash I can't say with absolute certainty, but men sometimes get yeast overgrowth rashes on their penis.

Cortisone is a steroid and helps decrease inflammation and itching, but does not treat the underlying problem.

It can also sometimes make it harder to get rid of yeast/fungal infections because the way it decreases inflammation and itching is by turning down the local immunity of T-lymphocytes, which you need to get rid of the infection.

We all have some yeast on our skin, but when conditions are favorable for them, they can overgrow and cause an itchy irritated red rash.

Conditions that favor yeast are darkness, warmth, moisture, low immune function, increased sugar. Basically, like the yeast need when baking bread although one's immune system isn't involved in that.

You can try an over-the-counter anti-yeast cream, such as Clotrimazole. Use whichever brand you get for the amount of time specified on the packaging, usually 7 days.

In addition, do whatever you can to increase air circulation to the skin and keep it dry. Cotton boxers are often best for allowing air circulation, and if damp from sweat, such as after working out, wash off and change shorts.

After a shower, dry well (but don't be rough as the skin will be irritated) and use a hair blow dryer set on the lowest setting (so you don't burn the skin) to dry further. Then apply the anti yeast cream.

If you have a female partner, she may need to be treated for yeast too so that you don't just pass it back and forth.

My assumption is that it is a red irritated rash, but if that is not what it looks like, and if there are blisters (which could be herpes) or an ulcer (which could be syphilis) or a penile discharge (which could be gonorrhea or chlamydia), then you need to go back to the doctor to address that.

Once the rash is under check, if you are prone to getting this problem, you can keep it in check with using half strength/half water apple cider vinegar as a wash. Yeast like alkaline (basic) environments and vinegar are mildly acidic.

As yeast like sugar, if you get recurrent infections, get tested to make sure you don't have elevated blood sugar (such as in pre-diabetes).

Also, if you drink alcohol, hold off for a while, and also eat healthfully (lots of veggies and not a lot of simple carbs).

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,
Dr Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh, General & Family Physician

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Brief Answer:

Information

Detailed Answer:

Hello,

What kind of discoloration?

Can you describe in detail what it looks like - size of rash, area affected, description of the color of the rash/discoloration, any discharge, any scaling, etc.

In addition, if you are comfortable, you can send a few good quality digital pictures using the "Upload Reports" button. Provide good lighting but flash sometimes isn't the best because then there can be some reflection of the light.

Hope I have answered your query.

Regards,
Dr Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh, General & Family Physician

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