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Re: Seborrhoeic eczema

Written by Ivan at 01 Sep 2005 05:48:01:

As an answer to: Seborrhoeic eczema written by James at 01 Sep 2005 03:22:21:

>Hi,
>I’m a 29 year old bloke from the UK who has suffered for several years from what a dermatologist says is seborrhoeic eczema. This condition has become increasingly uncomfortable over the last 18 months, with the glans and foreskin nearly always red, tight and inflammed, resembling sunburn. He suggested various steroid creams and if these failed to improve the condition, as a last resort - circumcision. I’m now using Locoid cream but although the inflammation eases considerably this is only so long as I avoid sexual activity. Any friction (even a few minutes) between the foreskin and glans causes the whole area to become much more tight and uncomfortable, the redness subsiding later but leaving the whole area sore, as if I’d been at it for days on end (I wish). Also, I use these creams for no more than 1-2 weeks, followed by a week without (to prevent all the usual side-effects), but no sooner have I stopped using them the condition flares up as bad as ever.
>Although there are numerous accounts of the benefits circumcision has brought to those with balanitis, phimosis, frenulum breve etc., I haven’t seen anything yet where circumcision has been done to cure seborrhoeic eczema of the glans/foreskin. Grateful to hear from anyone who has suffered similarly and found this to be an effective solution?

I went to the site for the National Eczema Society (USA) and found this:
" Adult seborrhoeic eczema

Characteristically affects adults between the ages of 20 and 40. It is usually seen on the scalp as mild dandruff, but can spread to the face, ears and chest. The skin becomes red, inflamed and starts to flake. The condition is believed to be caused by a yeast growth. If the condition becomes infected, treatment with an anti-fungal cream may be necessary. "

In fact, your description, particularly that it relapses with intercourse, where you are likely to get a re-infection of yeasts, made me think of a yeast infection immediately. The info from the site tends to re-inforce that. Why not try what the girls would use for a yeast infection - lotrimin, monistat, whatever the cream is sold for girls to treat their genital fungal infections. It is certainly worth a try - can't hurt and might turn the trick.

If that works, then th next thing you would need to do is develop and maintain the friendly bacteria that keeps the yeasts from thriving. To do that, you smear a little plain yogurt (with active cultures) around your glans and foreskin. When you bathe, use only plain water on the glans and under the foreskin.


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