Men often experience acne on the penis. Regardless of whether this phenomenon is harmless or is a sign of dangerous pathological processes in the body, in any case, pimples on the penis cause discomfort both due to their unaesthetic appearance and due to physiological inconvenience.
A urologist, andrologist or venereologist can identify the exact cause of formations on the skin after conducting an examination and receiving all the necessary tests and studies.
The following are possible causes of acne:
● Inflammation of the sebaceous glands or folliculitis, dermatitis and other non-infectious diseases;
● Allergies;
● Failure to comply with intimate hygiene rules;
● Ingrown hair. A fairly common cause, especially in people who remove hair from the genitals. At the junction of the skin of the penis and the skin of the pubis, a certain angle is formed, the hair bends, grows into the skin, redness and itching appear.
● Sexually transmitted infections;
● Changes in a man's hormonal levels;
● Fungus (mycosis) on the penis;
● Ticks and pubic lice. Infection with these parasites is not always associated with sexual contact; they can also be acquired in public places such as a sauna, swimming pool, locker room.
Types of rashes
Depending on the cause that caused the appearance of this pathology, the rashes have different sizes, shapes, colors and are accompanied by various symptoms.
White pimples
Most often, men encounter white rashes. In most cases they are safe. White pimples on the penis can appear due to neglect of intimate hygiene, under stress, or due to excessive sweating in hot weather.
Puberty boys often notice white pimples on the shaft and under the head of the penis. These formations are called Fordyce granules, are the absolute norm and go away on their own over time.
When using certain hygiene products, lubricants or contraceptives, an allergic reaction is possible, which is also accompanied by a frequent white rash and itching.
Red pimples
The appearance of a sick red pimple on the penis may be associated with banal irritation. You should not try to remove it yourself, as squeezing it out will create an open wound, where infection can easily get in and cause even greater complications.
However, if, in addition to red pimples, there is burning, itching and swelling, it can be assumed that this manifestation is caused by the presence of a sexually transmitted infection or fungal infection.
● Human papillomavirus (HPV). With this disease, the formation may outwardly look like a pimple, but in fact it is a small red or flesh-colored wart, which is a consequence of infection with the human papillomavirus.
● Gonorrhea. This disease is accompanied not only by changes in the skin of the penis, but also by the presence of discharge with an unpleasant odor and painful urination.
● Syphilis. The appearance of small and very painful ulcers on the genitals, low-grade fever and general malaise may indicate infection with syphilis.
● Thrush (candidiasis). A small scattering of red pimples on the head of the penis occurs with candidiasis. Men also note the presence of white, cheesy discharge.
Purulent acne
Acne can occur not only on the face or back, but also on the genitals. This is due to blockage of the pores, due to which the natural sebum produced by the sebaceous glands cannot be released onto the surface of the epidermis, the pores become inflamed and suppurate, and a purulent pimple forms on the penis.
A purulent red rash can be caused by balanitis. This disease is provoked by sexually transmitted infections, aggressive effects of components of hygiene products, dermatological diseases, including skin cancer.
Watery rashes
A large number of small pimples with colorless or yellowish contents indicate the presence of the herpes virus. These formations do not cause pain, but after some time they burst, the fluid comes out and small open sores remain in their place. These wounds cause severe discomfort, pain and itching.
Also, in this way, an allergic reaction to contraceptives and lubricants appears on the skin of the penis. This condition does not require special treatment; it is enough to remove the allergen and the symptom will go away on its own.
A white blister can also appear when wearing uncomfortable, chafing underwear or when the skin is injured by a trouser zipper.
Single pimple
One pimple may appear due to inflammation of the hair follicle at the site of an ingrown hair or as a result of trauma to the skin during depilation. Also, in adolescence, single pimples often appear. With sufficient hygiene, after 1-2 weeks this formation goes away on its own, without special treatment.
First symptoms and diagnosis
The main types of pimples differ according to the type of manifestation:
- non-inflamed small white pimples are comedones, internal acne located in the subcutaneous layer;
- small abscesses protruding above the surface of the epidermis with redness around, which once again confirms the inflammatory nature of the formation.
The second option is abscesses in the form of cysts, nodules, pustules and papules. Suppuration at the base of the penis is a pathological process of deep damage to the hair follicle, and is called ostiofolliculitis. The disease develops when exposed to pyogenic bacteria such as staphylococci.
Light pimples around the head of the penis usually do not cause pain or discomfort and may disappear on their own after a few days. If the rash does not go away within a couple of weeks, it is better to deal with this problem to a specialist.
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Especially if the appearance of an unknown rash is accompanied by additional symptoms:
- pain when urinating, having sex, during touching;
- skin itching, burning sensation of varying intensity;
- increased body temperature, chills;
- discharge from the organ of a strange color;
- swelling of the tissues of the penis and foreskin;
- enlarged lymph nodes in the groin.
If, in addition, the rash noticeably grows and redness appears, a visit to a urologist is necessary. Since the etiology of such diseases is different, you may also have to visit an endocrinologist, dermatologist and allergist, and register with a venereologist.
Based on the importance of the problem, men need to know what medical examinations are prescribed. First of all, the doctor conducts an external examination of the genital organs, identifies the characteristics of the rash, and interviews the patient - data on previous events can help in identifying the cause of the pathology. After collecting anamnesis, the patient is asked to undergo the following studies:
- laboratory tests include donation of blood and urine, material from the prepuce and urethra;
- serodiagnosis is carried out to recognize antibodies;
- microscopic examination is aimed at excluding a pathogen such as treponema pallidum;
- PCR, radiography and ultrasound are additionally prescribed to study the condition of the genitourinary system.
In practice, laboratory tests are quite enough to determine the disease and select the appropriate treatment.
Pimples on the penis in a child
This alarming symptom in a child may indicate simple heat rash. During the hot season, due to increased sweating, children's delicate skin becomes irritated, causing small pimples to appear.
A more dangerous cause is intestinal mycosis. This manifestation is also characteristic of a very contagious disease - frequency. Only a doctor can identify the specific cause, so first of all the child must be shown to a specialist.
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The answer is here. Pimples and acne on the penis are often a cause for concern for men, but they do not always indicate dangerous pathologies.
If unpleasant symptoms appear, you should visit a specialist who will examine the patient and, if indicated, select treatment.
Preventing rashes
In order to protect yourself from the occurrence of rashes on the penis, you should adhere to a number of rules:
● it is very important to observe the rules of personal hygiene, take a shower periodically, use exclusively personal hygiene items, and change your underwear frequently;
● avoid diaper rash and sweat accumulation in the groin;
● select suitable underwear;
● use special moisturizing creams, avoid dryness of the groin area;
● when visiting public saunas, baths, swimming pools, gyms, try to minimize contact with common objects and go only to places where a sufficient level of sanitation is maintained;
● exclude promiscuity and use barrier contraception;
● lead a healthy lifestyle, eliminate bad habits, eat a balanced diet;
● regularly undergo preventive examinations for diseases and infections.
Locations
Pimples and blackheads on the penis can be localized in absolutely any part of it. Small rashes appear closer to the head, and larger ones are localized closer to the base.
On the head
The likelihood of white and red pimples appearing is the same.
It should be remembered that white rashes most often do not pose a threat to health, but red ones are a sign of some pathology. Growths and genital warts often appear near the head of the penis and the urethra.
Treatment methods
You should not try to treat rashes on the penis on your own. If this is caused by an infection or disease, there is a risk that incorrectly selected medications will give a blurred clinical picture and, subsequently, lead to chronicity of the disease. Therefore, when this pathology is detected, the only correct decision is to contact a specialist.
Before drawing up a treatment plan, the doctor will prescribe the patient to undergo the necessary laboratory tests - blood test, smear, scraping. Based on the results obtained, the doctor will be able to choose an effective treatment method - medication or surgery.
Drug therapy includes:
● taking antibiotics for infectious diseases;
● local use of antifungal ointments and taking appropriate tablets for fungal infections;
● if there is a virus, use antiviral drugs and ointments;
● in case of an allergic reaction, avoid contact with the allergen and take antihistamines;
● disruption of the sebaceous glands can be corrected with special ointments.
It is often recommended to abstain from sexual intercourse during the treatment period. If itching and burning are present, taking a warm bath twice a day will help relieve symptoms. When swimming, you should use antibacterial hygiene products.
If it is not possible to solve the problem conservatively, surgical methods are used. Most often this concerns genital warts. In this case, surgical resection is supplemented by taking immunomodulatory drugs.
Preventive measures
In order to never encounter such a problem as acne in the genital area, it is necessary to approach cleanliness issues correctly - even unsuitable hygiene products can provoke an allergic reaction or irritation. Sometimes a rash occurs due to poor-quality lubrication during sexual intercourse, then the product should be replaced with another, hypoallergenic one.
If a pimple has already appeared, it should not be squeezed out or treated with questionable methods; it is advisable to exclude intimate relationships for several days. If the rash remains for a long time and there is a tendency for it to increase, there is no need to waste time - the doctor will help you understand the existing pathology.
Any infectious lesions of the genital area are often associated with a general, weakened state of health, so it doesn’t hurt to think about how to strengthen it with the help of healthy foods and physical activity.
