rash on penis caused by formaldehyde in unwashed new briefs?

You read that right!

Now that's a subject line I wouldn't have dreamed I'd ever type in any circumstance! Being a regular here certainly has broken down my inhibitions about discussing what in pre-cancer days would have been too "personal" a topic to discuss in such a public forum like this.

A couple days ago I noticed pain on my penis, and had a look, and I've got a definite rash going on both sides of the head of my penis, close to the opening. I made the self-diagnosis that this was somehow related to my switching from Depends underwear over to regular cotton briefs. My incontinence is maybe 90 percent improved from earlier (I'm at 3 months out from RRP) and I thought I'd take a step forward by dropping the Depends underwear and only wearing briefs.

When the rash developed 4-5 days ago I figured it was had something to do with the friction of my penis on the brief. I made an appointment for this Tuesday (4/7) to see my dermatologist (much closer than my urologist, or my surgeon in Baltimore). Then yesterday I got a flash of insight the rash probably didn't have anything to do with rubbing friction of my penis against the JC Penney cotton briefs (made in Guatemala), but is likely the consequence of (INHO) my briefs were "finished" by the Central American manufacturer by being soaked before shipment (or at the onset of shipment) with formaldehyde.

I did my due diligence yesterday and learned that practically ALL new clothing made overseas is treated with some cocktail "soup" of formaldehyde and other toxic chemicals.

I know I've got a sensitive constitution and am prone to allergies and the lightbulb went off in my head yesterday: the explanation for the rash on the tip of my penis is the new cotton briefs I started wearing (without washing them first) 4-5 days ago is I'm having an allergic reaction to the (highly likely) formaldehyde in the unwashed brand new cotton briefs.

I've washed those briefs and the other new ones 5x already and will wash them a few more times, drying them 5x too.

Has anyone had a similar experience to mine?

My mom was right. Always wash new clothes before wearing. More than once is best. Especially if they are undergarments which will be in direct contact with my skin.

Bill Positive

You may be right, tho I go for friction from a slight bit of urine. Let us know what the dermatologist says. It will probably self resolve by then, tho Congrats on the incontinence improvement!

Talked to my Johns Hopkins surgeon who did the RRP in January about (a) when I should go for my next PSA test and he said September, I liked that. Also told him about (b) the rash on my penis I diagnosed as being 100 percent certain to be caused by the highly likely presence of formaldehyde ... the rash began simultaneously with my switching over from Depends underwear to some new cotton briefs I'd not yet laundered. He agreed with my putting the blame on formaldehyde in the un-laundered new briefs (that I washed 15 times yesterday. He said to keep my appointment Tuesday with my local dermatologist to get the benefit of that. He asked (c) how many pads a day I was using for my incontinence and I said only one and I just barely need that, I'm 90 percent to dry. He was very pleased to hear that.

He was pretty organized and methodical. In closing, he asked (d) how I was doing in the good erection department and I said Viagra doesn't move the needle, neither does 5 mg low-dose Ciallis, I want to try normal dose 20 mg Ciallis which pre-surgery worked great, like when I was 18 years old. He's sending a prescription for 20 mg Ciallis directly to my pharmacy.

All in all an excellent check in phone meeting with my urologist/took my prostate out very successfully JHopkins surgeon. He gets the credit in my book for the <0.01 ng/ML PSA of 10 days ago.

With Spring finally here, raining now but heading for 75 degrees, I'm feeling like a lucky and fortunate guy.

Happy Friday, guys (and gals).

Bill Positive