Itchy Penile Skin? Understanding Lichen Planus

Itchy penile skin can occur for many different reasons. Sensitivities to fabrics or personal care products, sweating, sub-par hygiene and even cold weather can all contribute to itching and discomfort below the belt. In most cases, some minor adjustments to a man’s personal care routine can resolve the issue quickly, but certain conditions can cause penile itching that is so severe it affects his overall quality of life. Men who are affected by serious, chronic itching may have a condition known as lichen planus. Understanding the penis care measures needed to treat this problem can make a big difference.

What is lichen planus? This condition is characterized by an itchy rash; the rash usually consists of raised, purple bumps with flat tops. The bumps can range in size from a pinpoint to a centimeter in diameter. In most cases, a whitish streak can be seen on the surface of the bumps.

Lichen planus most often affects the mouth, genitals and nails, although it can also be found on other parts of the body. When the glans of the penis is affected, small, white bumps may develop. Lichen planus can be moderately to severely itchy, to the point that affected individuals may be unable to sleep, and their day-to-day ability to function normally may be impaired.

The exact cause of the disease is unknown, but it is an autoimmune disorder. It is not contagious, and it usually clears up on its own after 6-12 months, although some patients may experience symptoms for up to two years. As the rash heals, it may leave small, brown spots behind; these can take months or even years to fade away.

Who gets it? Both men and women have an equal chance of being affected; it generally appears in individuals over the age of 45. Those who have other inflammatory issues such as vitilogo, ulcerative colitis, alopecia areata or lichen sclerosis may be more likely to develop lichen planus.

How is it diagnosed? Because the rash is distinctive, doctors are often able to diagnose it through visual inspection of the affected skin. If needed, a skin biopsy can be performed; a small sample of the affected skin will be removed under local anesthetic and observed under a microscope for characteristic changes in the skin cells.

What can be done to treat it? At present, there is no cure for lichen planus; therefore, treatment is geared toward relieving the symptoms. There are several measures that can be taken to ease the itch and minimize the rash:

1) Oral antihistamines. These medications may be used to reduce the itching at night so that affected individuals are not kept awake by the need to rub or scratch.

2) Topical cortisone creams. Applying a cortisone cream is generally an effective way to manage the itch, and it may help to minimize the accompanying rash. Many doctors will recommend this course of treatment.

3) Oral cortisone treatment. Oral medications may be used to control the most severe itching. However, due to the considerable side effects, this treatment is usually only recommended for a few weeks at a time, and the symptoms may recur once the medication is discontinued.

4) Light therapy. A specialized light treatment may be used in cases of extreme and extensive lichen planus.

5) Use of an emollient. A rich moisturizer can soothe itchy skin and reduce the discomfort while healing is underway. A targeted penis health crème (health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil) may be a good choice for men who have the characteristic lichen planus rash on the penile skin. A quality male-specific product that does not contain chemical additives like fragrances can provide hydration without side effects that may actually contribute to itching and dryness. Men should look for a cream that contains vitamin E, which is gentle on the skin and locks in moisture for optimum itch relief.

Dry Itchy Penile Skin – Could It Be an Allergy to Vaginal Fluid?

It is not uncommon to hear from men – or their female partners – that they believe they have a skin allergy to a woman’s vaginal fluid; and it can be easy to understand why men who have frequent problems with dry, itchy penile skin after sex might think so. Men who have adverse reactions following intimate contact may feel frustrated or even angry and blame their condition on a partner – and this, of course, can lead to serious relationship problems. Fortunately, while there may be a real penis health problem to contend with, the answer is rarely a skin allergy to vaginal fluid. Here are a few of the more likely possibilities, as well as what men can do to soothe an itchy penis and prevent problems in the future.

Reasons that sex might cause dry, itchy penile skin:

1. A partner with a yeast infection. Although most people are more familiar with the feminine yeast infection, which is caused by the Candida yeast, men can also be affected. Symptoms of a Candida infection include dry, sometimes cracked skin, moderate to severe itching, a thick, whitish discharge and inflammation. Partners can easily transmit the infection back and forth, even when one partner does not have any obvious symptoms. A yeast infection can be cleared up using over-the-counter medications, but it is important that both partners are treated at the same time to prevent reinfection.
2. A partner with bacterial vaginosis. There are a large number of bacteria present in the female canal – some are beneficial, and some are not. Under normal conditions, the “good” bacteria cancel out the bad, but when the body’s natural chemical balance is disrupted, the “bad” bacteria can take over and cause an infection known as bacterial vaginosis. Not all women are aware they have this condition, but contact with an affected woman may cause male symptoms such as dryness and itching. Treatment by a doctor can eliminate the infection.
3. Allergy to latex. If men find that they develop dryness and itching following most encounters with a partner, it is important to consider all of the factors that might be at play. In many cases, it may be something the man himself is doing that is causing the problem. One cause of dryness and itching may be a latex allergy; switching barrier protection to a non-latex material may be the answer in this case.
4. Irritation caused by a personal lubricant. Personal lubricants often contain fragrances, flavors, or warming or cooling agents that are meant to enhance the sensual experience. However, these additives may include chemical irritations that can cause drying, redness, itching, soreness and a number of other uncomfortable symptoms. Sticking to neutral, water-based lubes may solve the itching problem for good.
5. Lack of lubrication. Another mistake that men may make during sex is to skip on the lube altogether. In this case, an excess of friction can cause minute tears in the surface of the skin that can leave him feeling sore, itchy and uncomfortable. To avoid this problem, it is best to make sure to have a lube on hand in case the natural fluids produced by the body are not sufficient.

Soothing dry, itchy penile skin

Although it is important to narrow down the source of the problem, and then to treat any underlying conditions and avoid triggers of skin reactions in the future, the first concern that most men likely have is to soothe the itch and ease the discomfort.

While a doctor should always be consulted, here are a few self-care tips that can help – just remember never to apply any medications, creams, lotions or other topical preparations to broken or inflamed skin.

1. Wash the area carefully with warm – not hot – water and a gentle cleanser; this will ensure that all traces of any irritants are washed away. Rinse thoroughly afterward and pat dry with a soft cloth.
2. For severe itching, try a colloidal oatmeal bath. Soaking in a lukewarm oatmeal bath is often recommended due to its skin-soothing properties.
3. Follow up with a nutrient-rich penis health crème (health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil) that contains a natural emollient such as Shea butter, which is ideal for most skin types and is widely known for its moisturizing and healing ability.

Itchy Penile Skin? No Problem - At-home Tricks to Banish Jock Itch for Good

In high school, the "jocks" were always the guys who were "cool." They had muscles, girls and fast cars, and as a result, the weak ones in the crowd were often desperate to get anything that would be associated with the jock life. Unfortunately, one thing that's associated with jocks isn't something the average person would want. It's jock itch, and when it strikes, proper penis health techniques are required in order to make the dry, itchy penile skin disappear.

Funky Fungus
Jock itch is caused by a wee little fungus spore that has made the journey from one infected person to another. Once it arrives, it begins to copy and spread, invading the area and pervading the groin with an itchy, burning rash. Skin that was once soft and smooth can become rough and scaly, with wheals of redness and pockets of blistering. All of this damage can also be intensely painful, and men can augment the damage by scratching, digging and otherwise abrading the area in a desperate search for relief.

Jock itch typically avoids the penis itself, but it might take over the upper thighs and the scrotum. Some men even have irritated skin between their butt cheeks. All of these spots are sensitive, and men can be uncomfortable with the idea of talking about their woes with outsiders. Rather than getting help from a professional, these shy guys can try at-home treatments that can make the original problem so much worse.

Bad Medicine
There are a number of fluids uninformed men might slather on their intimate bits when they're attacked by jock itch, including:

• Antifungal creams made for athlete's foot
• Bleach
• Oils infused with cayenne pepper
• Listerine
• Iodine

In theory, all of these products could kill fungal colonies and get a man on the road to wellness. However, they're all quite harsh, capable of sending a man to his knees with pain on just the slightest exposure. That burning and stinging might persist for a long period of time, too, as the drying action of some of these products can damage delicate skin to such a degree that tiny cracks form. A man that just had a case of jock itch on his legs could quickly become a man with a painful penis, and a persistent case of jock itch, if these at-home remedies are used.

Better Choices
Jock itch can be quickly and effectively treated with medications made specifically for the crotch area. Some of these creams are even available in drugstores, meaning that a man can work on his private problems in private, without even telling a doctor about the details of his pain.

Some cases of jock itch can be persistent, however, and they could still produce symptoms when they're under attack by an over-the-counter product. Men who just aren't improving are encouraged to visit their doctors and ask for a stronger type of medication. Creams or even oral medications could help a guy to get rid of the gunk, once and for all.

Prevention is Key
Since fungus loves spaces that are warm and dark, prevention experts often advocate in-depth towel work after showers and baths. Scrubbing the skin can help to remove even the smallest trace of water, and that might give fungus just a little less incentive to take over. Unfortunately, scrubbing like this can do intense damage to the penis, particularly if that towel has a thick pile and a rough surface.

Using a penis health creme (health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil) after a toweling like this might help. These products contain emollients that can soothe skin that's been buffed to a polish, and the vitamin content of a quality product can nourish the cells of the skin, so they'll better resist the next towel-based attack. If scrubbing is a part of a man's jock itch prevention strategy, a penis health creme really is a must.