#penis bumps

Pimples aren’t just something that happens on the face, and unfortunately, it’s not something everyone leaves behind when they walk out of high school. Penis pimples are a common occurrence for men of all ages. These penis bumps can be unsightly, annoying, and even painful, depending upon where exactly they are and what caused them. Understanding a little bit about penis pimples can be a big advantage when a man goes to the doctor to figure out how to eradicate them. Here’s what every man needs to know.

Are Penis Pimples Actually Acne?

They could be. Remember, the skin of the penis is made of the same skin as the rest of the body. It feels different because it isn’t exposed to the elements nearly as often as the rest of the body, and it is more sensitive than other skin because of all the nerve endings clustered there. But it does have the same sebaceous glands, which produce oil, which can sometimes back up into the skin and cause a pimple to form.

What Else Could Cause Penis Bumps?

Other things can cause these bumps. Penis pimples might be very benign, just like pimples on the face can be. But sometimes they can be caused by other issues, such as herpes, syphilis, or genital warts. To be sure that a man is healthy, it’s important to see the doctor to make sure he doesn’t have these conditions, especially if the penis pimples pop up without warning or if he’s never had them before.

How to Treat Penis Pimples

Although it is sorely tempting to simply poke and pop the pimples and release the pressure from the inside, this is not a good idea. Trying to pop the pimples can force the bacteria deeper into the skin, thus leading to a widespread infection. In addition, opening up the penis pimples leaves a tiny opening in the skin, thus inviting bacteria to take hold. Finally, trying to pop a pimple on the penis can lead to serious pain, which no man wants to experience!

To take care of penis pimples, first visit the doctor to rule out other problems. Then, use warm compresses on the penis to help draw up the infection inside the pimple. It should open naturally and drain after doing this a few times. When that happens, clean the area thoroughly in the shower, pat dry, and keep the area as clean as possible in the coming days to allow it to heal.

Avoid Using Acne Creams

Although these creams are great for use on the face, that’s the point to remember – they are to be used on the face. The penis skin is much more sensitive and thinner, and that means that the creams can have an adverse effect on the skin down there. The chemicals in acne creams are designed to dry up the area, which can be a bad thing for the penis skin. And in fact, these creams can backfire when used on the penis; as the penis skin tries to heal itself, it produces more oil, which can then lead to more pimples.

How to Avoid Penis Pimples

There are some very simple ways to avoid penis pimples and other unsightly penis bumps. Start with daily washing with a mild cleanser. Wear cotton underwear to avoid trapping oils against the skin. Look at the overall holistic approach, such as a diet that is low in fast food and fatty foods, while being high in leafy greens and lean meats.

The popular image of the penis imagines a very smooth organ, perhaps with some raised veins, but generally smooth. In fact, many if not most penises have some kind of penis bumps, even if they are tiny and pale like Fordyce spots. There are other common forms of penis bumps, like PPP (pearly penile papules) or even just plain old acne, which don’t have a significant penis health issue. But there are also some other penis bumps that are less common, such as when a bump is a lipoma.

What is a lipoma?

A lipoma is rare but by no means unheard of, occurring in about 1 in 1000 people. However, lipomas appearing as penis bumps (rather than bumps on, say, the torso or the arms) is fairly rare – although again, by no means unheard of.

But what is a lipoma? It’s really nothing more than a tumor made up of an accumulation of fatty tissue. The term “tumor” tends to scare people, but these tumors are not cancerous and don’t typically cause any harm (which is certainly good news).

Although lipomas may cause penis bumps, a more accurate term might be penis lumps. Although they are small for lumps, they are rather big for bumps, sometimes reaching a size of about 2 inches across. A lipoma may appear singularly, but usually there are more than one.

Because the lipoma is made of fat, it isn’t hard and solid, but a bit pliable. Usually if it is pressed on, it moves slightly or indents a bit. In most cases, a lipoma isn’t painful, although if it is situated right on or near a nerve, it could cause some discomfort, especially if it is touched or if pressure is placed upon it. In some instances, a lipoma may form on a muscle, and that can also cause some pain.

What causes it?

Although lipomas have been around for quite a while, doctors don’t have a definite answer on what causes them. However, because they often run in families, it would appear that there may be a genetic component to them. A lipoma is also something that doesn’t appear in younger people. Typically, a lipoma doesn’t occur until a person is in their 40s or 50s, and often much older.

Some physicians have noted that a lipoma is more likely to be created after an injury of some sort, but there also are some that do not seem to have been predated by an injury. Sometimes they come about in men with certain medical conditions, such as one known as Madelung’s disease.

Since a lipoma is usually harmless, doctors often don’t recommend treatment, unless a person feels that it is cosmetically necessary. However, if lipomas appear as penis bumps, they could impede sexual performance. Treatment generally consists of surgical removal or of liposuction. In the former, the lump would be cut out and removed; in the latter, a needle and syringe would be used to draw the fat out of the lump. In some cases, a doctor may try to use steroids instead, which may be able to shrink the lipoma.

A rash on the penis is bad enough – a case of hives on (and around) the penis is even worse. Creating penis bumps and general redness, hives can be an annoying penis health concern. Men are often already self-conscious about benign penis bumps like Fordyce spots or pearly penile papules; hives, which give the appearance of being worse and of being contagious (although they are not) can be a definite turn-off to sexual partners. So it would reason that preventing hives is an excellent penis health strategy.

Urticaria

Although hives is its common name, the medical name for this condition is urticaria. And it is also known by other names, including welts or nettle rash. Hives present as a series of red, raised, itchy rash, which on the member can look like penis bumps. Sometimes there’s some scaliness involved, and typically the area between the bumps is also red. On people whose skin tone is darker, the redness may not be as pronounced as on those with lighter skin tones.

Where do these welts come from? Basically, they occur from the body’s attempts to fight an allergen, something that causes the body to increase its immune system response. In this case, it does so by increasing the amount of histamines in the body. This sometimes causes blood capillaries to leak, with the fluid gathering together in the skin and bringing about the hives.

Causes and prevention

There are numerous factors that can cause hives, which are often referred to as “triggers.” The best way to prevent hives is to know which triggers affect an individual and take steps to prevent the trigger from being activated.

Among the most common causes of hives are:

- Many different medications, especially some antibiotics, NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, like aspirin), and ACE inhibitors.

- Stress

- Extreme and sudden changes in temperature

- Many foods, especially some nuts, shellfish, strawberries, wheat and products made from wheat, and eggs

- Pet dander

- Common infections such as a cold or the flu

- Bacterial infections

- Latex

- Fever

- Dust mites

- Poison ivy and poison oak

- Insect bites or stings

- Too much sunlight exposure

When the trigger is known, it is easier to determine preventive measures to take. For example, doctors could try changing medication options if the current drug used is a trigger for hives. If, say, eggs are a food trigger for a person, he will need to avoid eating eggs and, depending on just how sensitive, also avoid foods in which eggs are a large component. (In most cases, people have allergies to the egg whites rather than the yolk, by the way.) Wearing long pants and long-sleeved shirts when venturing into wooded areas that may harbor poison ivy or poison oak may help prevent hives caused by these plant triggers.

Stress is a very common trigger, and it can also be a secondary trigger, that is, another trigger may cause the hives, but stress may worsen it. Working with a doctor or other professional to determine ways to help lower stress can be a big help in preventing hives.

People with hives should speak to their doctors to determine a treatment plan and a plan to prevent a recurrence once it is successfully treated.

When wanting to impress a date, men take special care to ensure that their hair is in place, their clothes emphasize their best qualities and that they are at their most presentable – and that includes making sure their penis is at its most presentable. Sometimes, however, there may be something about their penis’ physical appearance which can give a partner pause, such as penis bumps. Often penis bumps, such as those known as Fordyce spots, are totally benign and not a penis health issue at all, but a partner may not know this. Sometimes men also feel self-conscious about having Fordyce spots. So what should a man do about these harmless penis bumps?

Learn more

The first thing is for a man to learn a little more about Fordyce spots.

To start at the beginning, Fordyce spots are small (1mm to 3mm) pale bumps that can appear in men on the penis and/or scrotum, in women on the vagina, and in either sex on the lips. Some people describe them as resembling very small grains of rice, and they are easier to see when the skin is stretched tight (and so more likely to show up on an erect penis than a flaccid one). Often they are almost invisible and many men may be unaware that they have them. (An estimated 20% of men have Fordyce spots on their penis or balls.) As noted before, they are essentially harmless, although they may itch at times.

These spots appear because a little excess oil has become trapped in the sebaceous glands, rather than being secreted onto a hair follicle as usual. Fordyce spots may be more common during adolescence, suggesting that hormonal and metabolic imbalances can play a factor. Other common triggers are stress and anxiety. Typically, they go away after two or three weeks, but they also tend to come back often; in some guys, it may seem like they always have these penis bumps.

Explaining to a partner about Fordyce spots may put their concerns to rest. However, some men may still feel uncomfortable about having these “blemishes” and so may want to find a treatment for them.

Treatment

There are several possible treatment options for men concerned about Fordyce spots.

- Dietary changes. Some doctors believe that eating foods that are high in antioxidants can help decrease the excess oil that causes the spots to form. In addition, asparagus and garlic are thought by some to help control these oils. Some natural medicine specialists believe that applying lemon extract directly to the skin may be of benefit.

- Chemical peels. Some dermatologists suggest a chemical peel for removing Fordyce spots. In these cases, a mixture is added to the skin, allowed to dry and then removed, taking the top few layers of skin with it. However, the newly exposed skin is likely to be red and very sensitive, so it may not be worth the cost.

- Lasers. Pulse dye lasers have been used, but the success of this expensive option depends on several factors, including age and hue of skin.

- Cryotherapy. Freezing the spots off is also an option, if performed by a professional. However, this could result in skin tissue damage.

Because of the risks associated with many of these options, a man should consider treatment only if the presence of Fordyce spots causes him genuine difficulties in relationships, self-esteem or emotional well-being.

Anyone who has ever taken a close look at a piece of chicken before frying or baking it knows that chicken skin often has a multitude of little pale bumps on it. The look is perfectly fine for a chicken soon to be made into dinner, but it’s not so good for a man’s penis. Yes, sometimes a man can have penis bumps that resemble chicken skin, and this penis health issue can be rather embarrassing. New partners may take a gander at the penis bumps and suddenly find themselves with a headache. Of course, a guy’s penis doesn’t suddenly turn into chicken skin; what is possibly happening is that his penis has developed keratosis pilaris.

What is it again?

Some people just call it chicken skin disease, but the actual name is keratosis pilaris. Despite the somewhat formidable name, it is actually a harmless condition. Although this article is dealing with keratosis pilaris presenting as penis bumps, these bumps can appear almost anywhere on the body. They are probably most often discovered on the arms, thighs, and buttocks.

Keratosis pilaris comes about when there is simply too much keratin in the body. Now, keratin in proper amounts is a good thing. It’s a kind of protein, the function of which is to protect skin from getting infected. But sometimes – and nobody knows why just yet – the body will start producing more keratin than it needs. With nowhere else to go, the keratin may accumulate in one spot, usually at the spot on a hair follicle where it comes out of the skin. This “plug” that forms creates a bump, and since there usually are many such plugs, there typically are many bumps.

Some doctors think there is a genetic reason why some people overproduce keratin. Others suspect that it may be related to dry skin – the keratin is overproduced in an effort to moisturize the skin or to otherwise keep it healthy. Whatever the reason, keratosis pilaris tends to be a “young person’s disease.” It often appears in children or teenagers, although young adults can also get it. In most cases, it goes away altogether on its own after a person is 30 or so years old.

What to do

As mentioned, keratosis pilaris is benign and doesn’t create any medical issues for a person; in most cases, it doesn’t sting, burn, or itch. However, a man may feel that penis bumps are an unattractive addition to his equipment, and he might rather not have them there. So what does he do?

Not much, unfortunately. The buildup of keratins tends to resolve on its own, once the body gets them under control. Unfortunately, keratosis pilaris may come back, sometimes several times. However, because there may be a connection between dry skin and keratosis pilaris, many doctors recommend that a man make sure his penis skin is well moisturized. If keratosis pilaris is already present, this may help to hurry along its departure. If it is not present, good moisturization may serve the purpose of keeping it from developing at all.

Razor burn. Razor bumps. Shaving bumps. Razor rash. Psuedofolliculitis barbae. Whatever you call it, it’s the same thing – tiny red bumps that dot the skin, looking something like an outbreak of small pimples. They come about in some guys after they shave, and it’s bad enough when they’re on the face. But if a guy manscapes, he may then come up with penis bumps, which are even more unsightly and problematic – not least because, being located on or around the penis, they may cause a partner or potential partner to wonder if they have something to do with a guy’s penis health.

Why?

So these penis bumps might come about when a guy decides to shave that thicket of hair between his legs. But why should that produce razor burn in the form of bumps? And why do only some guys seem to get it?

Most of the time, razor bumps occur because of an ingrown hair. This generally means that after a hair follicle has been cut, it reverses itself and, instead of growing out, it starts growing back inside the skin. This causes an inflammation, which in turn leads to swelling that eventually becomes the bump. These bumps, because of the inflammation, can be painful to the touch and may produce a stinging sensation.

Although anyone can get an ingrown hair, it is a more common occurrence in men whose hair is curly, as the curl increases the chance of the hair re-entering the skin.

Sometimes razor burn occurs not due to ingrown hairs but because of shaving dry skin or pressing too hard while shaving. Men who use dull blades while shaving may also develop the problem.

What to do

So if a guy wants to fight against penis bumps from razor burn, what are some steps that he can take?

- Clip it first. If a guy is manscaping from scratch, he should use scissors to trim the pubic hair down to a more manageable size.

- Give it a once-over. Before bringing a razor into play, be sure to clean the area thoroughly. Use an exfoliating substance or warm, soapy water all over the area. It’s important to clear away as much dirt as possible before starting to shave.

- Be sure to use shaving cream. Some guys opt to just use water or to shave dry, but neither option is good, especially if a man is prone to razor burn in the first place. Shaving cream helps the hair follicles absorb water and makes them become better, more pliable targets for the razor.

- Move gently. Don’t press down hard on the skin or shave “aggressively,” as this is likely to cause irritation and more easily facilitate penis bumps from razor burn.

- Change blades. Dull blades, as mentioned, can cause razor burn, so be sure to change blades or, if using disposable products, change razors whenever they start to get dull.

- Be careful about repeating strokes. It’s not unusual for a razor to take off most shaving cream in an area with one stroke, but many men then rinse off the blade and go over the shaved area again. This decreases moisture, adding to the likelihood of razor burn.

- Moisturize afterward. Shaving can dry out the skin, so it’s important to moisturize it again after shaving, to help prevent future razor burn.

Doing regular self-checks on the penis is a good idea for penis health reasons. Part of a self-check should involve looking and feeling all along and around the penis for any new penis bumps that may have developed. Penis bumps are quite common, and there are numerous kinds and equally numerous causes, so a man shouldn’t panic if he does discover some new penis bumps during a self-check. Many are generally benign, such as those that might appear if a man has neurofibromas on his penis.

Neurofibromas? What are those?

A neurofibroma is a non-cancerous tumor that can develop anywhere on the body where nerves are present, including, therefore, the penis. These tumors develop from the cells and the tissues that cover nerves. When neurofibromas are present, they usually form soft bumps on or under the skin. Sometimes the tumor may form from several bundles of nerves, in which case it is known as a plexiform neurofibroma. (In some cases, neurofibromas may develop without actually creating visible bumps; however, bumps are a very common sign.)

Much of the time, neurofibromas are not accompanied by pain, unless they are pressed on or struck. However, sometimes the tumor may form in such a way that it lays uncomfortably upon a nerve, causing a more consistent pain. In some cases, the pain can be quite severe. This is more common when the neurofibroma is on a spinal neve. When they form penis bumps, the discomfort is more likely to come when they are touched – and this of course, can be problematic, as it is the touching of the delicate and sensitive penile nerves that makes sex enjoyable. Often, therefore, when neurofibromas form penis bumps, they impede a man’s ability to have sex.

In some instances, people report that neurofibromas may itch, although this is not the case for all those with the disorder.

Causes and treatment

Scientists still are working to determine why neurofibromas develop. However, in some – but not all – cases, there is a genetic component to it. People who have the gene for neurofibromatosis are much more likely to develop neurofibromas, sometimes beginning to appear during or shortly after puberty.

If a person suspects he has neurofibromas on his penis (or elsewhere), he should consult with a doctor to confirm the diagnosis. Sometimes this may involve the use of an MRI scan in order to get a better picture of just where the tumors are and whether there are some that may be small and underneath the skin.

Because most neurofibromas are benign, they don’t necessarily need treatment from a strictly medical point of view. However, some people may wish them removed due to the way they appear. Additionally, if they present as penis bumps, a man may need them removed so that he can engage in sexual activity without discomfort.

Treatment typically would involve observation and continued monitoring. Again, with penis bumps (or in other situations in which there is pain or in which cosmetic reasons prevail), it is likely that treatment would mean removal via surgical procedure.

Neurofibromas can return, so even after surgery it is wise to be monitored and to be on the look-out for possible recurrence.

Sometimes annoying penis bumps appear almost overnight, but in man y cases penis bumps may develop over time, sometimes rather slowly. dreams. That is often the case when lichen planus is the cause of unwanted penis bumps. But is lichen planus a serious penis health issue? What causes it and what should a guy do if he gets penis bumps that turn out to be lichen planus.

A nasty name

Let’s face it, the name lichen planus is a little discomforting. Lichen, after all, is often associated with moss, and who wants moss growing on their penis? In fact, that association is mistaken, and lichen and moss are two separate things.

So what is lichen planus? It’s an inflammatory skin disease that affects somewhere around one per cent of the population, both men and women – which tells a person that lichen planus is not restricted to the penis. In fact, it can appear almost anywhere on the body. It causes the skin to swell and form lesions, which on the manhood appear as penis bumps. They tend to be reddish or purplish and flat but slightly raised, and itchy as hell. (But guys should try not to scratch them; that just makes it worse.) Sometimes the lesions become blisters, which then break and ooze a discharge onto the skin and then become crusty.

Where it comes from

So what causes a guy to get lichen planus on his penis (or elsewhere)?  Basically, lichen planus is considered an autoimmune disorder. What that means is that something happens that causes the body to misinterpret signals and to start attacking itself – or some part of itself. I n this case, the body is attacking its own skin cells. (Another form of lichen planus involves attacking the mucous membranes instead.)

As with most autoimmune disorders, it isn’t clear why this happens. Often, there is no obvious trigger. But in other cases, there are causes that may be responsible for an outbreak of lichen planus. These include becoming infected by hepatitis C; having a reaction to a flu vaccine, or to some common pain relievers (such as naproxen or ibuprofen), as well as to some medications for heart issues or high blood pressure; or exposure to certain chemicals or metals.

What to do

Many cases of lichen planus self-resolve without any need for medication. However, it’s a good idea to consult a doctor so that an accurate diagnosis can be made. In some cases, what a person assumes to be lichen planus could be another condition which might more readily require treatment.

Often the doctor will recommend no treatment for the lichen planus itself, just letting it go away on its own. However, they may still prescribe treatment for the symptoms associated with it, such as itching. If they do decide to treat the lichen planus itself, options might include corticosteroids, anti-infection medicines, antihistamines, or retinoids.

Depending on the suspected cause of the outbreak, a person may need to switch their existing medications, be treated for hepatitis C, or consult with an allergy specialist.

Most of the time lichen planus is more of an annoyance than a serious issue. Of course, when it presents as penis bumps, a man is likely to want to get it cleared up speedily, as it does affect the appearance of his manhood.