Folliculitis Can Cause Itchy Penis Problems

Some men can’t seem to keep their hands out of their pants, but it’s not necessarily due to an overactive sex drive. No, some men simply have a very itchy penis, the kind that demands it be scratched. As penis health issues go, an itchy penis is one of the very most common – and one of the potentially most embarrassing. Sometimes that itchiness may be due to a reaction to something a guy ate, but there can be other causes as well, such as folliculitis.

A follicle issue

As the name seems to imply, folliculitis has something to do with hair follicles. Specifically, when a person has folliculitis, it means that some portion of their hair follicles has become inflamed. Usually that inflammation occurs because of either a bacterial, viral, or fungal infection; in some instances, ingrown hairs may bring about the inflammation.

When a man has folliculitis, little red pinpoint dots appear, sometimes all over his body, sometimes isolated to one or a few areas (which can include the penis, balls, and surrounding area). These dots are bumps, somewhat raised, and there’s often a small drop of pus also associated with some or all of the bumps. There may be only a few bumps or there may be dozens.

Each of those bumps corresponds to a singular infected hair follicle. In addition to their red appearance, they have something else in common with each other: they tend to be very itchy. So when folliculitis strikes the midsection, an itchy penis often results. Sometimes the bumps can also create a burning sensation, which is unpleasant anywhere but especially so on the penis. The skin of the surrounding areas is also likely to be very tender.

Sometimes various forms of folliculitis are known by different names, such as hot tub rash or barber’s rash.

At risk

Absolutely anyone can get folliculitis, but there are some people who are more prone to getting it than others. Among the risk factors for folliculitis are:

- A weakened immune system, such as may occur in a person with diabetes or HIV.

- Curly hair on a male who shaves. The curliness can bring about an ingrown hair more easily, potentially causing folliculitis. A curly-haired man who shaves his crotch is at somewhat higher risk of an itchy penis from folliculitis.

- Having acne or dermatitis, or taking long-term treatments for the same.

- Wearing rubber gloves or other clothing that especially traps heat in the body.

- Wearing clothing that is too tight.

Treatment and prevention

A mild case of folliculitis may resolve itself or may be resolved with the use of some home remedies. These include using antibacterial washes and/or diluted white vinegar in the affected area. More often, a person needs to see a doctor to determine what treatments would be best. Often a topical or oral antibiotic may be prescribed.

There are several steps a person can take to help prevent folliculitis. Good basic hygiene is the first step, but it’s also wise to avoid sharing razors, which can transfer the cause of folliculitis from one person to another. Avoiding getting too close a shave is also desired, as is changing razor blades frequently. Try not to wear clothing that is too tight, especially for extended periods of time. And be sure that any hot tubs or swimming pools one uses are properly cleaned and disinfected.

No man wants either folliculitis or an itchy penis, so he should take the further step of regularly applying a superior penis health creme (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven mild and safe for skin). Keeping the skin hydrated is another way to prevent folliculitis, so please select a crème that has a team of expert moisturizing agents, such as shea butter and vitamin E. The crème should also include vitamin D3, the so-called “miracle vitamin,” which has proven benefits in fighting diseases and supporting healthy cellular function.

An Itchy Penis? Could Be Folliculitis

It never fails that a guy will suddenly develop an incredibly itchy penis at the most inopportune time - when trying to impress a woman, in the middle of a crucial sales pitch, you name it. The causes of an itchy penis are many, but one that is often overlooked is called folliculitis. Even people who take pains to ensure proper penis health may become a scratch-crazy victim of this common condition.

What is it?
 
The name folliculitis makes this condition sound much scarier and more serious than it is. Don’t worry, men: folliculitis is just an infection of the hair follicles. It happens when bacteria or a fungus gets into the follicle and sets up house. Although this article is looking at folliculitis on the penis and in the crotch, it can occur anywhere on the body.

Folliculitis isn’t dangerous, and it’s quite treatable, but it can be annoying and inconveniencing. It can create a red rash or a "bumpiness" to the skin. The condition is rarely painful, but it can be extremely itchy, in some cases making a guy want to scratch his manhood like there’s no tomorrow.

Where does it come from?
 
As mentioned, the cause of folliculitis is bacteria or a fungus. Both of these tend to breed in an environment that is hot and moist. The pubic area fits that description to a "t."
That said, there are some "risk factors" that make people more likely to develop folliculitis. These include:

- Overusing the hot tub. Folliculitis is sometimes called "hot tub rash" because it develops more readily when the skin is exposed to hot water for an extended period of time. It’s not unusual for the infection to appear within 72 hours of spending too much time in the Jacuzzi.

- Other skin conditions. When a person has acne or dermatitis, it increases the chances that hair follicles will become infected.

- Going too tight on the tighty-whiteys. When people wear clothing that is too tight - underwear, skinny jeans, etc. - the heat rises in the crotch. When the heat is trapped for too long, it increases the likelihood of folliculitis sneaking in.

- Overweight. Men who need to shed some extra pounds are more likely to develop a follicle infection - most likely because the added padding tends to increase heat and sweat, which infection craves.

- Shaving too close. Manscaping is bigger than ever and many men enjoy shaving their pubes to better present their manly packaging. Sometimes, however, shaving too close can create irritation that leads to infection. The irritation is increased when newly-shaved skin rubs up against fabrics, especially those that are a bit rough.

What to do
 
Often, folliculitis will resolve of its own accord. It can be helped along by gently washing the area with an antibacterial soap once or twice a day. (Be sure to dry thoroughly by gently patting the skin with a towel - not be vigorously rubbing it back and forth.) An over-the-counter antibiotic ointment may also be applied.

It’s also a good idea to avoid further irritation of the area. Wearing loose clothing of soft material can help. If a man shaves his crotch, he should avoid doing this until the condition clears up.
If the folliculitis is persistent, a doctor may need to prescribe stronger oral antibiotics.

While folliculitis is present, an itchy penis is bound to be an issue. To help relieve the need to scratch, a man should apply a first class penis health crème (health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil) to the penis. It’s essential that the crème helps to hydrate the skin, which will in turn lessen the need to itch. For this reason, select a crème that includes a combination of a high end emollient like Shea butter and a natural hydrating element like vitamin E. Since heat and moisture tend to go hand-in-hand with folliculitis, it’s a good idea to ensure that the crème also contains vitamin A. Heat and moisture tends to produce penis odor, and vitamin A has properties which help to fight excessive "man smell."