Itty Bitty Penis Bumps? Maybe Lichen Nitidus

Every guy wants to make sure he practices proper penis care, and so they hopefully are regularly examining their penises for signs of irregularities that may need to be explored. (Hopefully those irregularities are not there – but a man doesn’t know unless he checks for them.) But when he does spot something that’s different, it can be hard to know if it’s reason for alarm or not. Take penis bumps, for instance. In some cases, they could be a sign of something serious, such as a sexually-transmitted infection (STI). But in so many cases, they are brought about by something much more benign. That’s the case when penis bumps are due to lichen nitidus.

What is lichen nitidus?

Most people have never heard of lichen nitidus, which is not unusual. It is a fairly uncommon issue for men or women. As with many things which cause penis bumps, it’s a skin condition. It comes about as a result of abnormal inflammatory conditions in skin cells, although what causes the inflammation to occur is currently unknown.

Normally, when the body senses an infection, it produces white blood cells called T lymphocytes and sends them into action to conquer the infection. But in the case of lichen nitidus, the body is producing these T lymphocytes in response to a false alarm; there isn’t an infection that needs fighting, but something is happening in the body that it mistakenly believes to be an infection.

With lichen nitidus, these extra white blood cells cause small little skin-colored bumps to appear in an area or areas of the body. Although this article is concerned with penis bumps, lichen nitidus can actually present anywhere on the body. These bumps are fairly distinctive, as they tend to “glisten” a little. Because they are very small – usually 1 – 2 millimeters – and because they are essentially flesh colored (a light pink in people with light skin, a lighter brown or black on people with darker skin, etc.), they may not be noticed for a little while. They can itch, but this is less common than with other conditions that cause penis bumps.

Not serious

As mentioned previously, lichen nitidus is considered a benign condition. It may cause some inconvenience, but it by itself is not dangerous. It also is not infectious and cannot be passed on to another person through contact. So a person may have sexual engagement with another person with no worries about spreading it.

Still, it’s a good idea to see a doctor, to get a diagnosis that confirms that lichen nitidus and not another condition is responsible for the presence of the penis bumps. Also, lichen nitidus sometimes occurs in tandem with other issues, such as eczema or Crohn’s disease, so being seen for lichen nitidus may lead to discovering another condition which may require treatment.

Treatment

Usually lichen nitidus clears up on its own and requires no treatment. If the condition is itchy, antihistamines may be prescribed to relieve the need to scratch. If the condition is long lasting, a doctor may prescribe other treatments, such as a topical application of vitamin A, use of corticosteroids or phototherapy (which is use of light to treat a condition.)

Penis bumps caused by lichen nitidus may also be aided by the regular application of a top drawer penis health creme (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven mild and safe for skin). It’s advisable to look for a crème that includes vitamin A, which as noted above is often prescribed for treating lichen nitidus. In addition, vitamin A has antibacterial properties known to help fight persistent penis odor. In addition to this vitamin, the crème should also include vitamin D. Sometimes called the “miracle vitamin,” vitamin D has proven benefits in fighting diseases and supporting healthy cellular function.

Penis Bumps Caused by Lichen Nitidus

There are numerous things that can account for the presence of penis bumps. Some of them can raise serious questions about sexual and penis health, but others are relatively benign and not a significant cause for alarm. They may lead to some itchiness or minor irritation, but benign penis bumps are usually more of a visual nuisance: A man wants to be able to proudly display his manhood, and the bumps may mar an otherwise spectacular penis. This can be the case when lichen nitidus is the reason for those unwanted penis bumps.

About lichen nitidus

Many men are already familiar with another cause of penis bumps, lichen planus. Lichen planus is characterized by itchy reddish lesions that are fairly large in size, especially when they cluster together. Lichen nitidus is kind of like the smaller cousin of lichen planus.

Lichen nitidus is a fairly rare skin condition, and while this article concerns itself with its presence on the penis, it can be found on other parts of the body - most often the chest, stomach and arms. Unlike lichen planus, the lesions associated with lichen nitidus are quite small - usually 1-2 mm, so that they can in some cases appear like "pinpricks" on the skin. They also tend to be hypopigmented - that is, lacking in color or pigmentation. (In some very fair skinned people, however, they may still maintain a reddish hue.) Often the bumps appear in a line, and sometimes they cluster very close together, looking a little larger than they actually are.

Most people who contract lichen nitidus do so early in life, as children or as young adults. It is very rare in older adults.

Cause

What causes lichen nitidus to show up? They are the result of an inflammation in or on the skin, but just what causes the inflammation is not really known. All that is known is that the body creates T lymphocytes (a kind of white blood cell) in response to a stimulus which brings about the inflammation and thus the lichen nitidus.

Sometimes lichen nitidus shows up in connection with other disorders. Whether there is a direct causal link between these disorders and lichen nitidus is not really known at this time. One of these other disorders is lichen planus. Others include:

- Eczema, a skin disorder that presents with dry, itchy rashes;

- Tuberculosis, a potentially dangerous infectious disease of the lungs;

- Crohn’s disease, a digestive tract disorder which can be quite painful;

- Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, a joint-based disorder.

Although lichen nitidus can be an annoyance, they rarely cause any symptoms other than an itchiness of the infected area.

Treatment

The condition usually lasts for a few months and often goes away without treatment. When treatment is recommended, corticosteroids are typically employed. Sometimes phototherapy and antihistamines will be used. Often vitamin A is recommended as well.

There are no complications typically associated with lichen nitidus. However, many men find the presence of these penis bumps embarrassing, and it can make them feel insecure of their sexual prowess.

Penis bumps, whether due to lichen nitidus or not, often can cause so much scratching that delicate penis skin is damaged. Regular use of a first rate penis health crème (health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven mild and safe for skin) can help. Penis skin can be restored through proper moisturization, so choose a crème that includes a combination of moisturizers, such as Shea butter (a high-end emollient) and vitamin E (a natural hydrator). The skin will also be strengthened if the crème contains a potent antioxidant such as alpha lipoic acid, which fights damaging free radicals.

Rare Penis Rash: Meet Lichen Nitidus

Penis rash is a common occurrence among men, and the possible causes are many - jock itch, dermatitis, allergic reaction, balanitis, psoriasis, STIs, and more. Guys interested in maintaining good penis health want to recognize and treat causes of penis rash, which is laudable. For the man who wants full penis care knowledge, the following is information on lichen nitidus, a fortunately rare cause of penis rash.

About lichen nitidus
 
Lichen nitidus can cause a penis rash, but its effects are not necessarily limited to the penis. This rash can also be found on the balls, chest, abdomen and arms.

In terms of appearance, lichen nitidus presents as small (usually 1-2 mm) bumps, which tend to be shiny and flat-topped. Coloration is similar to flesh or has a reddish hue. People with light skin may present with pink bumps; people with darker skin may present with bumps that are a lighter shade than the surrounding skin. They tend to present in large clusters, often in something of a line.
While lichen nitidus may appear anywhere on the penis, it is more frequently confined to the glans.

Drawbacks
 
If one must have a penis rash, lichen nitidus is one of the "better" ones to have. Because the bumps are so small and tend to be close to the color of the surrounding skin, they are not as noticeable as many others. They certainly do not make the unwelcome statement that, say, genital warts do. Still, many men feel uncomfortable when any penis rash is present, worried that it may make their favorite appendage look less appealing to a partner.

There’s also the problem of itching. This particular penis rash does not have an excessively strong itch factor associated with it, but it does demand to be scratched on occasion.

Why does a guy get it?
 
The good news is that lichen nitidus is neither an STI nor a symptom associated with an STI. When it appears on the penis, it does not mean a man now needs to worry about the hygiene of recent partners, nor about contacting his partners to alert them to a possible infectious situation.

It’s also not contagious. A partner who handles or is penetrated by the penis does not have to worry that this benign condition has been passed on to them.

The bad news is that doctors don’t really know what causes it. It does seem to be related to activation of white blood cells, but exactly what causes this activation is not clear. As mentioned, this is a rare disorder, one that is so uncommon that there hasn’t been much real research done on it. It does appear to occur primarily in children and young adults, so it seems to be something a man "grows out of."

Treatment
 
Because lichen nitidus is benign and doesn’t cause any real problems (other than appearance and some itchiness), many doctors advise against treatment. The condition generally goes away of its own accord after a few months; it leaves no traces, such as scarring. However, it can recur.

When treatment is recommended, it is often in the form of corticosteroids, vitamin A, antihistamines or light therapy.

If the penis rash caused by lichen nitidus causes excess itchiness, use of a superior penis health crème (health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven mild and safe for skin) may help. By applying a crème with both a high-end emollient (such as Shea butter) and a natural hydrating agent (such as vitamin E), the skin can be re-moisturized, which often helps decrease itchiness. Many superior crèmes also contain vitamin A, which is frequently used in treatment of lichen nitidus. The vitamin’s antibacterial properties have the added benefit of dampening unwanted penis odor.