That Penis Rash: Eczema or Psoriasis?

Presenting the manhood to a partner, especially a new one, is a big moment, and one that guys want to make a big impression. Unfortunately, few things can mar that good impression more than an unsightly penis rash. A bedmate is likely to take that penis rash as a sign that, at the very least, this guy doesn’t care very much about his penis health - even if he typically spends a great deal of time on that subject. There are many potential causes of a penis rash, including eczema or psoriasis. People use these two terms interchangeably - so how does a guy tell them apart?

Dermatitis

It’s easy to see why people get eczema and psoriasis confused with each other. First off, they are both a form of dermatitis. And what is dermatitis? It’s an inflammation of the skin, which generally causes redness, rashing and itching. Often swelling of some kind is associated with dermatitis. There are many different kinds of dermatitis, not just eczema and psoriasis.

Similarities

So eczema and psoriasis are both relatively common forms of dermatitis. How are they alike?

Well, in the way that they meet the general requirements of dermatitis: they both tend to be marked by a red rash. The rash causes itchiness, and it also tends to be dry. And, of course, they tend to have some itchiness associated with them.

Differences

So they sound similar- but there are significant differences.

Take the itching, for example. Both eczema and psoriasis itch. But in most cases, eczema produces a more intense itch than psoriasis.

In addition, the rash each causes has a different appearance. Eczema tends to present as small blisters or bumps. Psoriasis typically has better-defined edges, and may be scaly and thick. There may be silvery scales associated with the psoriasis rash.

Some of the differences between eczema and psoriasis are not visible to the eye. Eczema, for example, occurs because of external environmental factors. A guy may have switched laundry detergents and started using one with harsh or unfamiliar chemicals. The penis rash that occurs is eczema, a reaction to this harsh chemical.

Psoriasis, on the other hand, is genetic in nature and comes about from a response to something happening inside the body. (Because of the genetic link, it typically occurs in adulthood, while eczema can first appear in childhood.) It is also associated with psoriatic arthritis, a long-term kind of inflammatory arthritis.

Knowing that eczema’s causes tend to be external, a guy can help determine which of these two forms of dermatitis might be responsible for a penis rash. If he is wearing new clothes, has come in contact with a new fabric, switched soaps or detergents, etc., it is more likely to be eczema. With the penis especially, using a new brand of condoms or contraceptive foam could be responsible.

While eczema or psoriasis are more likely to appear elsewhere on the body, they can indeed make an unwelcome appearance on the penis.

Treatment

After a doctor has diagnosed the condition properly, they can recommend the appropriate treatment. Both conditions typically include moisturizing the affected skin, but there may be different approaches as well. For example, eczema often responds to the use of antihistamines, while psoriasis does not.

Whether caused by eczema, psoriasis or another reason, treating a penis rash is important. In many cases, regular use of a top notch penis health crème (health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven mild and safe for skin) can make a difference. Be sure to find a crème that includes a combination of powerful moisturizers, such as natural Shea butter and vitamin E. It helps if the crème also contains vitamin C; this ingredient helps strengthen skin tone, improving the elasticity that penis skin requires for best functioning.

Easing the Itchy Penis: Dealng with Eczema

Eczema is actually a rather common condition, with many people suffering from it from time to time. Eczema is an inflammation of the skin that produces itching, redness, dry areas and in the most severe cases, skin that appears to be blistered. The good news is that excellent penis care can help a guy feels much better, and might help keep the symptoms at bay altogether.

An eczema ‘attack’ is known as a ‘flare.’ To avoid flares - and to help the skin heal if a flare does happen - a man needs to look into these hygiene rules for penis eczema.

1. Clean properly. A man with eczema should never choose soap to clean his body; he should instead opt for a soapless cleanser that is much gentler on the skin. Other tips include taking showers with lukewarm water only, ensuring there is no lather residue left on the body, and patting the skin dry with a towel - never rub, as this could make eczema much worse.

2. Use moisturizers. Anywhere on the body that suffers from eczema deserves a slathering of moisturizing cream. This will help to dramatically soften the skin and help ease the itchy that can come from dryness. Look for moisturizers that don’t have any fragrance or added chemicals; an all-natural product is best.

3. Relieve the itching. It can be easy to simply say "don’t scratch that," but in reality, that advice often falls on deaf ears. And of course it does - when something itches as badly as eczema, not scratching at the spot can feel like torture! That’s why a man should take steps to avoid the itching in the first place. During a particularly bad penis eczema flare, a man can turn to over the counter antihistamines and cold compresses to ease the skin and keep the itch at bay.

4. Figure out the allergies. Men who have eczema often have some sort of allergies as well; many doctors believe that the two are related. So when a man suffers from eczema flares, he should make an appointment with the physician to figure out what allergies might be causing the problem. Once he knows that, he can tackle the allergy itself, thus making it easier to treat the eczema.

5. Keep a constant temperature. A room that is far too hot or too cold can lead to a flare. That’s why so many people complain of eczema getting worse during the summer or winter months. This can be especially bad for penis eczema, as the penis is often trapped behind a few layers of clothing, thus adding to the heat. Going bare as often as possible (in the privacy of home, of course) and keeping the temperature in the house comfortable is a great idea.

6. Choose the right clothing. A man wants to wear clothing that allows his skin to breathe, which in turn gets plenty of air to the areas of eczema. Wearing tight clothing that chafes or keeps the penis ‘trapped’ behind layers can actually make an eczema flare worse, no matter how many other helpful tips a man tries to alleviate the itch.

7. Get rid of stress. Interestingly, men who are under significant stress report a higher incidence of eczema flares. This indicates that stress really does reduce the effectiveness of the immune system, which in turn allows eczema to become worse. Doing anything it takes to reduce stress can eventually lead to fewer eczema flares.

When a man is trying to avoid a penis eczema flare, the best thing he can do is turn to the use of products that will help ensure the best of penis health. To do this, he can use a top-notch penis health crème (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven mild and safe for skin) . A crème that contains a wealth of vitamins, nutrients and amino acids is great, but a man should also look for something that contains the wonders of vitamin E and Shea butter. This combo can help ensure the softness that every penis needs.