Itchy Penis: 5 Non-STI Reasons a Man May Suffer from Penis Itching

It starts out as a tickle and quickly rages into a scratch fest. However, penis itching doesn’t help, and actually, makes an itchy penis worse. In order to give a big adios to the itch, a man first has to get to the bottom of what’s causing it. Let’s talk about five reasons that could cause itchy penis and how to treat them.

Itchy Penis Cause #1: Contact Dermatitis

What it is: Contact dermatitis is a fancy way of saying the skin does not like something. This super itchy, red, bumpy rash on a man’s penis can be caused by contact with an allergen. Sometimes it can also ooze a clear or yellowish fluid caused by dermal disruption.

How it’s caught: Been camping lately? Using a new body wash or laundry detergent? Even something as simple as getting some new towels or a new bed can cause contact dermatitis. Latex condom allergies are also known to cause this. If a man starts to see a reaction within a few hours or days of adding something new to his life, his itchy penis may be due to contact dermatitis.

How to treat it: Identify the trigger and stop using it or manage it in another way. While it will often go away in a short time, keeping the area as clean as possible is the best way to soothe the irritation. OTC hydrocortisone creams and oral antihistamines are also helpful.

Itchy Penis Cause #2: Chafing

What it is: Friction disturbs the skin barrier which then causes itty bitty cracks and tears in the skin which get inflamed. Skin gets red and irritated but can also get scaly. Score one for House Targaryen.

How it’s caught: When skin rubs repeatedly, usually in the crotchal region, it created friction. This can cause an especially firey and uncomfortable road rash on or near the penis. PS – Runners experience this a lot.

How to treat it: Treatment is two-fold: prevent additional rubbing and protect the irritated skin. Using a thick, very natural cream is recommended. It should be free of dyes, perfume, and anything else that can irritate already inflamed skin. Also, “airing out” is also recommended whenever possible. Yes, that means pulling a Donald Duck.

Itchy Penis Cause #3: Fungal Infections

What it is: It can be red, shiny, and moist. If it’s a yeast infection, a man will additionally notice some white discharge. Jock itch will also be moist. However, some other fungal infections present in a dry and flaky and usually start on the thighs.

How it’s caught: It can be caused by an overgrowth of yeast, too much moisture in a dark crevice (aka the junk), or in the case of jock itch, transmitted by contact with a person with it or their towels, etc.

How to treat it: Get a topical antifungal cream and slather it on until the groin is a mushroom-free zone. Be sure to keep the area as dry and possible and use cotton or moisture wicking underwear.

Itchy Penis Cause #4: Intertrigo

What it is: If the rash is deep, red, and raw, it could be Intertrigo. This is a (dark) magical concoction of bacteria and fungus. Symptoms can also include stinging as well as penis itching.

How it’s caught: In places that collect the most sweat, folds of the skin like the groin and spare-tire under folds, an overgrowth of bacteria and fungus.

How to treat it: Layer creams. Use an antibacterial like Neosporin and an antifungal like Lotrimin to defeat the bacteria and fungus. Using a zinc cream, like Destin or Boudreaux’s Butt Paste, protects the skin from additional rubbing.

Itchy Penis Cause #5: Pubic lice

What it is: It’s creepy and crawly and not what anyone wants to bring home from a beach vacation. Intense penis itching, irritation, and tiny white-grey or yellow specks in the pubic hair mean pubic lice and they indeed look like microscopic crabs wandering around a man’s downstairs.

How it’s caught: They can be caught during amorous advances, sharing swimsuits, or any other garment that goes penis to penis like towels or blankets.

How to treat it: See a doc for a medicated shampoo or lotion to wash those lice right out of that pubic hair.

Looking to protect delicate penis skin and avoid rashes? A great way to keep genital skin clear and calm is to use a penis health creme (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which has been clinically proven safe and mild for skin) on a daily basis. Crèmes like these can strengthen the skin while protecting it from bacteria and irritation. This is also an especially important part of self-care a man can give himself not only feels good but is good for him.

Penis Rash: What if a Doctor Can't Help?

Redness, soreness, itching. When these symptoms of a penis rash strike, a doctor's office is often the best place to go to get help. After all, doctors have access to various medications and creams that average people can't just buy at the grocery store. By seeing an expert, men can make sure they get the help they need in order to solve the problem at hand. But what happens when a visit to the doctor doesn't make a penis rash better? Are men doomed to live with the pain forever? Not likely. They may simply need to take some special penis care steps in order to see real relief.

Why It Might Not Help
Most men who go to the doctor for a penis rash see a general practitioner. These are the medical professionals who can handle a variety of medical complaints that could occur anywhere on a man's body. In general, they provide excellent advice.

Some penis rashes, however, are complicated. A general practitioner in a quick appointment might do a few routine tests, send a man home with a cream and feel reasonably sure that the rash will go away. But if that cream isn't right for the rash’s trigger, the problem will persist.

That's when a different doctor that specializes in rashes might be helpful. Dermatologists have advanced training in skin inflammation, meaning that they might order different kinds of tests when they're shown a penis rash. A dermatologist might also be able to provide tests that can help a man become aware of any allergies he may have, so he can avoid triggers (and more rashes) in the future.

What Happens Next
In addition to getting advice from the right kind of doctor, men with penis rashes that won't heal should look closely at their day-to-day habits. Specifically, they should pay attention to the directions they got from their doctors, and make sure they're following those instructions to the letter. Common mistakes involve:

- Cleansing. Are they washing too often or too little?
- Dosing. Are they using the right amount of medication, or are they taking shortcuts?
- Bandages. Are they using wrappers when they shouldn't, or are they skipping them when they're needed? 
- Rest. Are they still having sex or masturbating, even when they've been told not to?

While doctor's instructions can be inconvenient or annoying, and men can almost always think of other things they'd rather do, following the guidelines very carefully could make penis rashes go away, and that makes the work worthwhile.

In addition to following those rules, men can pay attention to the nutrition they're giving their skin cells. A diet made up of junk food or fast food just doesn't have the trace minerals and vital elements the skin needs in order to knit back together. By focusing on healthful meals loaded with fresh fruits and vegetables, men can give their cells the tools they need to build up healthy tissues and reduce inflammation.

Men can boost that power by drinking several glasses of cool, clear water per day. Penile skin relies on an ample water supply, as it uses that liquid to carry off dead cells and irritating elements. When a penile rash is in play, it's important to make sure the body has enough water so the skin can repair itself.

Once skin is on the mend, a penis health cream (health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil) can help to finish the job. These products contain the vitamins and minerals penile cells need, and that nutrition is applied directly to the skin. That means each drop of goodness can penetrate the cells directly, without going through the digestive tract, and that could mean better protection from future rashes and other skin problems.

Five Causes of Penis Itching That Aren't STDs

As soon as a man feels the first tingle of an itch in his pants, he might think: "Great. I have an STD." It's a very common assumption, and it can cause men a great deal of worry about their penis health. But before jumping to conclusions, men should know that there are a number of other issues that can cause a burning, uncomfortable, itchy penis that have nothing to do with STDs. Five of the most common are described here.

Lice
 
Pubic lice, which are often referred to as "crabs," are tiny insects that may be found in the pubic hair. The bites from these insects can cause intense itching and discomfort.

While these creatures can sometimes spread from one body to another during sex, they can also survive on inanimate objects like towels and underwear. Thankfully, treatments with an insecticide can eliminate the lice fairly quickly.

Folliculitis
Hair follicles may not only provide a home for lice; they can also become infected, causing small, red bumps to form on the surface of the skin. These may resemble a rash or small pimples, and they can be extremely itchy.

There are several factors that can promote folliculitis, including:
- Tight-fitting clothing that chafes
- Sweat accumulating on unwashed skin
- Shaving
- Superficial skin injuries

Careful attention to hygiene and wearing breathable, yet supportive clothing is generally enough to resolve the issue. Using a quality moisturizer may also help to improve the tone and texture of the skin.

Scabies
 
As with pubic lice, scabies are caused by a skin infestation, but by a slightly different creature. In this case, mites are at the root of the problem. These may live anywhere on the skin; therefore, a man with scabies might have an itchy penis as a result, but he might also have itching in his groin, armpits or even his legs.

Skin-on-skin contact can spread scabies from one person to another; this means that it can be transferred during sexual contact, although it is not considered a sexually transmitted disease. Scabies may also be transferred on bed sheets, shared clothing or towels. An insecticide treatment is needed to eliminate the mites that cause scabies, and all bedding, clothing and other personal items also need to be thoroughly cleaned.

Dermatitis
 
There are no insects at the root of this condition, but the itch caused by dermatitis (also known as eczema) can be relentless; in addition, it may appear red and inflamed, and a rash may develop. Dermatitis can affect the skin anywhere on the body, including the genital area, and it can be triggered by irritants in the environment. Men who have family members with dermatitis, or those who have problems with various types of allergies, are more likely to develop the condition.
Dermatitis is generally treated with cortisone creams; these should be used as directed. Applying a moisturizing cream with vitamins E and/or A is often recommended to help relieve the itch and promote the formation of healthy skin cells.

The Message
 
Clearly, not everything that can cause an itchy penis has to do with a sexually transmitted disease. There are plenty of other things that can conspire to make the skin down there erupt with discomfort.
Staying clean and giving extra attention to hygiene can help men to avoid many of these problems; In fact, men who devote a little time each day to the overall condition of their penis by applying a penis health crème (health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil) could be doing their intimate skin a world of good. A formula that is rich in vitamins, amino acids and antioxidants, as well as quality moisturizers, can support healthy cellular function and leave the penis with a smooth, even skin tone.

Itchy Penis Causes and Treatments – Soothing Solutions for a Burning Problem

An itchy penis can be irritating, embarrassing and worrisome all at the same time. While sometimes, the solution is as simple as practicing better hygiene, at other times, an itchy penis is a sign of a health problem that requires more rigorous treatment. For both penis health and general comfort, it’s important for men to get to the root of the problem. The following are four potential causes of penis itching.

Friction: When a man goes at it hard with his partner or his hand, over time the skin of the penis can become dry and cracked. Skin irritation results in itching, as well as other symptoms such as redness and soreness.

To prevent skin damage from excess friction, men should allow their penises time to heal between rigorous sexual encounters, either with a partner or of the solo variety. Using lubrication, either on a condom or the bare penis, can help things move along more smoothly. It’s also important to wear soft underwear and, for the sports players out there, appropriate undergarments that combat chaffing.

Jock Itch: Jock itch is a condition characterized by a red or pink rash in the groin folds that causes intense itching. It’s most common in male athletes and middle-aged men, though anyone can get it. The rash can be caused by a number of things, including excessive moisture, humidity, sweating, tight undergarments, bacterial infections or fungal infections.

Jock itch usually affects both sides of the groin. It can spread out from the groin folds to the thighs, testicles and penis. The rash can become rough, bumpy and dry. Mild cases of jock itch may clear up on their own, but sometimes treatment is required. The correct method of treating the condition depends on the cause. Some men may simply need to wear more appropriate undergarments that wick moisture away from the groin. If a bacterial and fungal infection is the source, antibacterial or antifungal creams are the answer.

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs): A number of STIs can be responsible for penis itching. Consider the following:

- Chlamydia - This is a bacterial infection that may be asymptomatic. When symptoms do arise, the most common in men is itching within the urethra, caused by irritation and inflammation, as well as burning upon urination and, sometimes, abnormal discharge from the penis.

- Gonorrhea - This STI is another bacterial infection that, like chlamydia, can cause itching within the urethra, burning upon urination and abnormal discharge. Sometimes, gonorrhea can cause symptoms throughout the body, such as joint pain and rash.

- Trichomoniasis - An STI that is only symptomatic in about 30% of those infected, it causes itching within the urethra as well as burning upon urination and abnormal discharge.

- Genital Warts - Caused by a specific type of human papilloma virus, warts appear as soft bumps on the genitals that may itch.

Antibiotics are the preferred treatment method for chlamydia, gonorrhea and trichomoniasis. Genital warts may resolve on their own if the body is able to successfully combat the virus that causes them, although some men may require treatment. Treatment may include a medicated cream, freezing the warts or burning them off.

Balanitis: This condition is characterized by inflammation of the penis head and/or foreskin. It may result in itchiness and pain, which can be intense. While it can be caused by certain STIs and other forms of infection, the primary cause is poor hygiene. This doesn’t just mean a lack of adequate washing; it includes the use of scented soaps or those that leave the skin dry, failure to rinse soap completely from the penis and the use of scented lotions on the organ.

The first treatment effort for balanitis is usually the identification of any potential irritants in a man’s regimen and their subsequent removal. Often, this suffices to remedy penis swelling and itching.
One of the best ways to prevent itching is to keep the penis moisturized with a penis health crème, (health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil). A good penis crème will contain natural moisturizers such as vitamin E and antibacterial nutrients such as vitamin A. Also look for L-arginine on the ingredient list, an enzyme that increases blood circulation to the penis.

Penis Blisters, Pain and Itching – When Herpes Isn’t the Answer

Every male who has been through a high school health class is aware of the symptoms of herpes. Signs of blisters filled with fluid, itching and soreness are common indicators of this sexually transmitted virus. However, herpes simplex is not an inevitable diagnosis when these symptoms appear.

Shingles, known medically as herpes zoster, is a virus which is also characterized by blisters and itching; however, it is not considered as an STD. Understanding the symptoms can help men to make informed decisions about their treatment. Suggestions on caring for the penis and maintaining sexual health are also provided here.

What is shingles, exactly?

Shingles is an inflammatory condition of the nerves and surrounding skin. It is caused by the same virus that causes chicken pox – the herpes varicella-zoster virus (or simply zoster virus). Anyone who has had the chickenpox can develop shingles, usually later in life – generally after the age of 50. The varicella-zoster virus lies dormant in the body once an individual has recovered from chicken pox, but it can be reactivated much later, resulting in the symptoms of shingles.

What are the symptoms?

Most patients describe the initial symptoms as tingling or pain and tenderness of the skin. In 2-3 days after the appearance of these symptoms, a clustered red rash may appear. The rash may resolve into blisters that appear to be filled with water. The rash generally clears up on its own after 2-3 weeks; however, intense itching and pain – a condition known as postherpetic neuralgia – may continue for months, or even years, after the initial symptoms have disappeared.

Blisters on the penis: The blisters most often appear on the torso and buttocks, but they can also affect the genitalia, including the head and shaft of the penis. Severe penis itching may accompany the blisters. The penis symptoms of shingles closely resemble those of the herpes simplex virus, an incurable STD that is highly contagious. Any sign of a blistering rash on the penis should be evaluated by a doctor.

Other flu-like symptoms may accompany the disease, including fever, headache, upset stomach or abdominal pain, fatigue, confusion and memory loss.

Is herpes zoster contagious?

Shingles are only contagious if the blisters are broken, and will only affect individuals who have not had chicken pox. However, they will develop chicken pox, not shingles.

Risk factors

Anyone who has had chicken pox can develop shingles; however, it is more common in individuals with a suppressed immune system, such as people with HIV/AIDS or those who are receiving radiation or chemotherapy. Certain bone and lymphatic cancers also increase the risk of developing shingles.

Treatment

While shingles will resolve on its own, more severe cases may be treated with an antiviral medication – particularly when it affects the eyes or causes penis blisters. As with chickenpox, using pain relievers, cool compresses and anti-itch formulas such as calamine lotion may help to ease the itching, burning sensation.

Daily care for the penis skin

While caring for the penis does not mean that problems such as shingles won’t occur, taking good care of the equipment can help to keep it in top condition and help boost the body’s resistance to disease. Cleaning the penis every day can prevent a buildup of bacteria that increases the risk for infection – not to mention unpleasant odors. Adding a penis nutrient cream  (most health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil) to the personal care routine can help to ensure that the penis is well-nourished and resistant to minor skin damage and that the skin retains its natural moisture balance – all important factors in maintaining overall penile health.