funDERMentals

Penile Rash Worries Man (And Wife)

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A 61-year-old man presents with an asymptomatic but worrisome (to him) penile rash that manifested over a two-day period several weeks ago. OTC miconazole cream, triple-antibiotic creams, and most recently, a two-day course of fluconazole (200 mg bid) have not helped.

The patient denies any sexual exposure outside his marriage, as does his wife. Both are in good health in other respects, although the wife has been treated for lymphoma (long since declared cured).

At first, the patient denies any other skin problems. However, with specific questioning, he admits to having a chronic scaly and slightly itchy rash that periodically appears in the same places: bilateral brows, nasolabial folds, various spots in his beard, and both external ear canals.

Additional history taking reveals that the patient has been under a great deal of stress lately. His father recently died, leaving him to deal with a number of issues, and his work shift changed, requiring him to sleep during the day and work at night.

EXAMINATION
The penile rash is macular, smooth, strikingly red, and shiny. It covers the dorsal, distal penile shaft, spilling onto the glans. It looks wet but is quite dry. His groin, upper intergluteal area, and axillae are free of any changes.

A fine pink rash is seen in the glabella, extending into both brows. Similar areas of focal scaling on pink bases are also noted in the beard area and in both external auditory meati.

What is the diagnosis?

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