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Re: Helping ... ... ...

Written by Patrick at 23 Sep 2002 03:22:53:

As an answer to: Helping ... ... ... written by Paul B. at 21 Sep 2002 15:31:02:

I can't find the Clotrimazole (Canesten, Clonea) cream you mentioned in your previous post. What specific names does it go by for retail?

>> Well thank you for responding...
>Well, in a sense, someone has to until the standard of knowledge exhibited by doctors in general, improves!
>> I am 21 and I used to never have a problem retracting. It all started about roughly 2 years ago that the problems arised. I would get this white dry skin every now and again and then slowly my foreskin would get tighter and tighter.
>Well, you do seem to have a distinct problem there, and it could be one or the other I suppose. A consultation with a real doctor, probably a dermatologist, and likely a biopsy (either a 3 mm punch, or a similar sized sliver removed with a scalpel, both using local anaesthetic) should resolve the issue, though it is suggested that a pathologist with particular expertise in skin conditions should be used to examine the specimen, as you may not always get sense out of "general" pathologists.
>> I have another appointment scheduled for the 14th of October.
>Glutton for punishment?
>> I was actually wondering if any of type imidazole cream or the oral treatments which you mentioned can be obtained any possible way without a persription.
>Clotrimazole (Canesten, Clonea) is generally available over-the-counter, and in your circumstances should be given a two-week try whether you use the steroid or not. The danger is that steroid can make Candidal infection worse even whilst it suppresses the evidence. But if that does not help, the prescription medications - Ketoconazole (Nizoral) and the more expensive but more effective Fluconazole (Diflucan) - which are on prescription because of the possibility of adverse effects, would be worth trying.
>Given that you do treat any Candida (or other dermatophyte) present, the steroid should be effective whether it is LSA or simple chronic candidiasis. LSA may however require stronger steroids, whilst in the longer term, you might need to use the anti-fungals repeatedly from time to time if it is Candida.


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