Penis Bumps: Could it be Acne?

Embarrassing and unsightly, pimples and acne anywhere on the body are common problems that men and women often deal with throughout their life. But when penis acne occurs, often the harsh chemicals used for keeping facial blemishes at bay are too strong for use on the delicate penis skin. But that doesn’t mean that men have to accept an acne-prone member. While penis acne can certainly be a cause for embarrassment, it’s easy to treat, and generally speaking, a normal problem for a healthy man.

Is it acne or something worse?

First, it’s essential to determine whether the irritation occurring is truly acne or something more benign. If you’re socially active, it’s important to make sure you’re not actually dealing with a sexually transmitted disease, which can often look very similar to pimples. Acne on the penis will typically contain a small amount of pus, feel tender to the touch and feel like a hardened bump.

However, if the irritation is oozing pus, growing into a widespread rash or changing size, shape or texture, it may be a sign that you’re dealing with something more serious than penis acne, In this case, be sure to visit a medical professional for screening.

Why am I getting penile acne?

There are many reasons why some men experience penile acne and others don’t. Often, and especially in the case of those experiencing puberty, acne can be caused by instable hormone levels. If your acne is being caused by this, you’re likely to be experiencing acne in other parts of the body as well, including most commonly the face and back. Unfortunately, in this situation, time is the best medicine as most hormonal imbalances fix themselves on their own.

However, if your groin is one of the only body parts experiencing acne, the cause it likely due to hygiene and environment - both of which are easy to fix. If you’re prone to pimples, it’s important to never skip showers, especially if you live in a humid climate. Acne is caused by a pore clogged by dead skin, oil and bacteria. Regular bathing is usually enough to keep the penis pores clean.

Another common cause of penile acne can be as simple as having oily skin. Those who experience oily skin are more likely to develop acne anywhere on their bodies, but especially areas that are typically covered by clothing like the back and crotch because the skin will struggle to breathe. In this case, it’s especially important to bath regularly, as well as opt for breathable, loose fabrics. Switching to boxers from briefs in some cases can be enough to relieve the penis area from acne if it’s being caused by oil-prone skin.

Home treatment

Whatever your penis acne is being caused by, it’s critically importantly not to "pop" the pimples that are occurring. Squeezing and popping penis bumps can often result in infections as well as a spreading of bacteria, potentially leading to even more acne. It’s also not important not to use your go-to facial products on the delicate penis skin. Common over the counter acne treatment, like benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid, are usually too harsh for the private area and their use could lead to rashes and itchiness. If the discomfort caused by your penis acne is too much to wait out, consider contacting a dermatologist for professional drainage or removal.

The first step in dealing with penis acne engaging in regular, thorough hygiene. To mitigate some of the more uncomfortable symptoms of penile acne, consider a high quality penis health creme (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven mild and safe for skin). The botanicals found in some top-notch health cremes are also known for managing acne. For example, vitamin E can assist with hydration, a lack of which can sometimes be a cause of blemishes. Vitamin D is known for its overall skin health benefits, as well.

Penis Pimples and How to Get Rid of Them

Acne, whiteheads, bumps, red spots, zits - whatever one calls them -pimples are pimples. Generally speaking, a pimple is not a wanted commodity, and even less so when one or two crop up on the penis. Penis pimples are even more painful and more embarrassing than the variety that appear on the face, and they are something no man wants to find down there. Find out what to do - and not do - if a bout of penis acne shows up in that most undesirable of places and how to prevent them in the future through proper penis care.

A guy can get pimples….down there?
Yes, next question. But seriously, a pimple can show up on a dude’s penis, and it is about as appealing and attractive as it sounds. A penis pimple might look the same as those on the face, but they do tend to be more painful, simply because the area is so much more sensitive.

What causes them?
The same basic things that cause pimples on the face lead them to show up on other areas of the body. Sweat, dirt, grime, and plugged pores all lead to those little white or red bumps. Sadly, these conditions are quite often found in a man’s undercarriage! And given that it is a hot, moist area that tends to not get a lot of air circulation, the area is full of bacteria, which can cause these nasty little bumps to show up. Ingrown hairs - especially those caused by shaving - are also prone to become infected, white bumps that form around the hair follicle; these can create a substantial and painful lump. In fact, the bumps can become so inflamed that some men actually mistake them for a sexually transmitted infection!

How does a guy get rid of them?
 
Step 1. First of all, never - NEVER - squeeze, pop, poke or pick at a penis pimple. Doing so only pushes bacteria further into the infected area and increases healing time.

Step 2. A man’s best course of action is to simply wash the affected area with gentle soap and water on a daily basis.

Step 3. Hot compresses can also be administered to help open up the pores.

Step 4. A man should never apply acne medication to his penis pimples. The medication used on the face often contains peroxide or salicylic acid, which are both too harsh for the gentle skin of the penis and would really sting if it got into the urethral opening on accident.

Can they be prevented?
Men hoping to avoid the problem altogether would be wise to step up their hygiene routine. Men who are particularly sweaty or prone to penis acne may need to shower more than once a day - or at least wash the area with a soap and washcloth if a second shower is out of the question. Any time a man works out, he needs to change out of his sweaty underclothes immediately after the workout, as sitting in sweaty athletic gear only breeds bacteria -- which contributes to penis acne. In such cases, it is also best to at least rinse off after a workout, even if there isn’t time for a full shower. Additionally, being careful with the razor - if it goes down there - can reduce the razor bumps that can form into acne-like bumps as well. Finally, using a penis health formula (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil) on a daily basis can also help to heal and prevent unfortunate penis pimples. Selecting a penis cream that contains vitamin A is especially important as it has antibacterial properties that are known to fight bacteria and infection. Vitamin A can speed healing and protect the penis from pimples, lumps, bumps and ingrown hairs - so use daily and apply liberally!