Questions in The Dermatology Forum
are being answered by Dr. A. Rockoff, a board certified dermatologist, affiliated
with Tufts University School of Medicine.
Subject: rash Topic Area: Psoriasis
Forum: The Dermatology Forum
Question Posted By: jd on Monday, October 30, 2000
doc, i have seen 2 different physicians for a rash on my
penis. they both have told me that it is psoriasis. this has been since
june. i have been using aclovate 0.05 and it does take it away only to
return when i stop using it for a few days. the dr. has told me that it
is not an std. what concerns me is everything i read about psoriasis
mentions that it can come from a weak immune system involving t cells.
this concerns me because that is also indicative of hiv. i have had the
same girlfriend for over 1 year and we do not use condoms. she has no
symtoms. should i be concerned about hiv or do you think this is
psoriasis and if so what other recommendation do you have. i just want
this to go away forever. thanks
doc.
concerned,jd
Answer Posted By: Derm M.D. ASR
on Monday, October 30, 2000
Don't worry, jd--what you describe certainly sounds like
psoriasis and nothing more. Psoriasis, like most skin problems, comes
and goes as it pleases. You can suppress it, but it comes back when it
wants to. It is NOT and STD. The business about weak immunity is pure
speculation, and in any case has nothing to do with HIV. When you see
the redness, treat it; otherwise, ignore it.
