Are Those Scabies on Your Penis?: What They Are and How to Treat Them

Anytime a man sees a rash on his junk, it is cause for alarm, even if it’s not a severe cause. However, how can a man tell whether he just has a harmless rash or if it’s scabies on his penis? Let’s look very closely–because they’re microscopic–at what penis scabies are, how to tell if you have them, how to get rid of them, and then how to prevent them in the future.

Scabies on the Penis: Definition and Symptoms

Scabies is a highly contagious, itchy rash on the penis caused by microscopic mites called Sarcoptes scabiei. The first major sign of infection is intense itchiness in the genital area with small, pimply bumps that take up residence around the entire reproductive area. This rash shows up in between 4 to 6 weeks after a man is infested with these itty-bitty bugs, which is how long it takes them to bury into the skin and lay eggs. The rash is actually an allergic reaction to the mites. They sometimes leave tracks on the skin where they bury themselves.

Itching can worsen at night, and a man can also open himself up to secondary infections if he scratches too much due to penis scabies.

Scabies on the Penis: Transmission and Diagnosis

Scabies is highly contagious. It is spread most often through skin-to-skin contact, such as during sexual intercourse. A man can also get scabies if he comes in contact with infected bedding and clothing, though this is much less common.

To see if the rash is scabies on the penis or if it is something else, see a doctor as soon as possible. In addition to a physical exam, the doctor may take a small skin sample to review under a microscope. If the doctor sees the mites and eggs, it’s penis scabies.

Here are a few other things that cause an itchy rash if it’s not scabies on the penis:

- Folliculitis

- Lice

- Eczema

- Contact dermatitis

- Chancroid

- Flea bites

- Syphilis

Scabies on the Penis: Treatment

There are several ways your doctor may opt to treat penis scabies. You may be encouraged to take hot showers and baths each day. The doctor also may prescribe a topical ointment or steroid cream in addition to antibiotics or antihistamines to reduce the chances of infection and clear the penis scabies faster.

To stop scabies on the penis from spreading, wash all towels, bedding, and clothing in hot water that’s at least 122 degrees Fahrenheit, followed by drying on high heat for no less than 10 minutes. Vacuum things that can’t be washed, such as carpets and your mattress. Then be sure to clean the vacuum with bleach after disposing of the bag (if your vacuum uses one) to kill any leftover mites, as they can live up to 72 hours after leaving the body.

Of course, limit skin-to-skin contact and activities while healing.

Scabies on the Penis: Prevention

The simplest way to prevent penis scabies is to practice abstinence or safe sex. Don’t share towels or clothing with others. If you see the beginning of a rash, get it looked at fast to try to stop the spread.

Another way to prevent scabies is the practice of good penis hygiene. Be sure to wash the penis thoroughly daily (multiples times if needed) with warm water and a gentle cleanser. Rinse well and pat or air dry. Apply a penis health oil (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which has been clinically proven safe and mild for skin) that has been created expressly for delicate penile skin. Look for an oil with vitamin A to protect against bacteria and infection, as well as other vitamins and nutrients to fortify and calm irritated skin.

Are Those Scabies on Your Penis: What They Are and How to Fix It

Anytime a man sees a rash on his junk, it is cause for alarm, even if it’s not a severe cause. However, how can a man tell whether he just has a harmless rash or scabies on his penis? Let’s look very closely, because they’re microscopic, at what penis scabies are, how to tell if you have them, how to get rid of them, and then how to prevent them in the future.

Scabies on the Penis: Definition and Symptoms

Scabies is a highly contagious, itchy rash on the penis caused by microscopic mites called Sarcoptes scabiei. The first major sign of infection is intense itchiness in the genital area with small, pimply bumps that take up residence around the entire reproductive area. This rash shows up in between four to six weeks after a man is infested with these itty-bitty bugs, which is how long it takes them to bury into the skin and lay eggs. The rash is actually an allergic reaction to the mites. They sometimes leave tracks on the skin where they bury themselves.

Itching can worsen at night, and a man can also open himself up to secondary infections if he itches too much due to penis scabies.

Scabies on the Penis: Transmission and Diagnosis

Scabies is highly contagious. It is spread most often through skin-to-skin contact, such as during sexual intercourse. A man can also get scabies if he comes in contact with infected bedding and clothing, though this is much less common.

To see if the rash is scabies on the penis or something else, see a doctor as soon as possible. In addition to a physical exam, the doctor may also take a small skin sample to review under a microscope. If the doctor sees the mites and eggs, it’s penis scabies.

Here are a few other things which cause an itchy rash if it’s not scabies on the penis:

- Folliculitis

- Lice

- Eczema

- Contact Dermatitis

- Chancroid

- Flea bites

- Syphilis

Scabies on the Penis: Treatment

There are several ways your doctor may opt to treat penis scabies. You may be encouraged to take hot showers and baths each day. The doctor also may prescribe a topical ointment or steroid cream in addition to antibiotics or antihistamines to reduce the chances of infection and clear the penis scabies faster.

To stop scabies on the penis from spreading, wash all towels, bedding, and clothing in hot water that’s at least 122 degrees Fahrenheit followed by drying on high heat for no less than 10 minutes. Vacuum things that can’t be washed, such as carpets and your mattress. Then be sure to clean the vacuum with bleach after disposing of the bag to kill any leftover mites as they can live up to 72 hours after leaving the body.

Of course, limit skin-to-skin contact and activities while healing.

Scabies on the Penis: Prevention

The simplest way to prevent penis scabies is to practice abstinence or safe sex. Don’t’ share towels or clothing with others. If you see the beginning of a rash, get it looked at fast to try to stop the spread.

Another way to prevent scabies is the practice of good penis hygiene. Be sure to wash the penis thoroughly either daily (multiples times if needed) with warm water and a gentle cleanser. Rinse well and pat or air dry. Apply a penis health creme (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which has been clinically proven safe and mild for skin) that has been created expressly for delicate penile skin. Look for a crème with vitamin A to protect against bacteria and infection, as well as other vitamins and nutrients to fortify and calm irritated skin.

Penis Scabies – Recognizing the Signs

Any man can develop penis scabies, regardless of his age, race or lifestyle. Even men who are attentive about their personal hygiene may become infected. Unfortunately, scabies will not go away without treatment, so ignoring them and hoping they will disappear on their own is not an option. Scabies symptoms are similar to those of some sexually transmitted diseases, so a professional diagnosis is needed to determine the best course of action. Recognizing the signs of a possible scabies infection is the first step in treating the condition and restoring penis health.

What is scabies?

Scabies is a parasitic infection caused by tiny mites that are known scientifically as Sarcoptes scabiei. The infection is highly contagious and can easily be spread from one person to another, as well as to other parts of the body. Scabies typically affects areas of the body such as the armpits, in between the fingers, in the folds of the neck, behind the knees, at the waistline and on the feet; scabies may also affect the penis and scrotum. Scabies is not technically a sexually transmitted disease, but the mites can be transmitted through sexual contact, as well as any other close personal contact or the sharing of towels, clothing or bedding. Transmission is from human to human; people do not contract scabies from pets or other animals.

Signs of scabies on the penis

The first symptom most men experience when infected by scabies is intense itching, which often becomes much worse at night. The itching may be accompanied by a rash on the penis, scrotum, or other parts of the body, or men may develop penis blisters, bumps and/or burrow tracks from the mites. While the itching can be severe, scratching is not a good idea, as this can cause further damage to the skin and lead to bacterial infection on top of the scabies infestation.

Testing for penis scabies

Men who have symptoms of scabies should be tested by a doctor, and anyone else who lives with them or has close personal contact should be tested and treated, as well. Testing for scabies involves taking a skin sample, usually with a swab; this is generally not painful and can be done in a doctor’s office.

Treatment

Treating scabies generally requires applying a topical cream prescribed by a doctor; the cream should be used for the recommended time, even if the symptoms seem to ease, in order to ensure that the pests have been completely eliminated. In some instances, penis scabies may be treated with oral medications, particularly in instances when topical creams cause irritation of the delicate penis skin. Antihistamines may also be used to treat the itching caused by the infection.

Usually, all members of a household are treated at the same time, whether or not they are showing signs of infection, because it may take several days after infestation for symptoms to appear. Sexual partners should also be treated, even if they do not cohabitate.

Preventing reinfection

Besides using medications to eliminate the parasites from the body, all bedding, clothing, towels, and other personal items, as well as carpeting, should be thoroughly cleaned; otherwise, reinfection is likely.

Rejuvenating the penis

While preventing scabies is not always possible, there are some steps that men can take to speed healing once the pests have been eliminated from the body. A penis health formula (most health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil) that is rich in skin-replenishing vitamins such as A and C can help to restore an even tone and texture and may help to reduce the chances of scarring from the burrow tracks left by the mites; natural emollients such as shea butter are also effective in reducing scarring and leaving the skin clear and smooth.