How to Identify Causes of Penis Spots, Lumps and Rashes

Men tend to react with horror to any sign of abnormality of the penile skin - a natural response, given that penis spots and lesions can sometimes indicate serious issues. Fortunately, many of the problems that affect the male equipment are fairly routine and can be easily handled with medications, while others require no treatment at all. The following list of common penile issues can help men to better understand the care that is needed to manage their penis health.

- Groups of bumps or nodules below the skin’s surface. Multiple tiny nodules on the scrotum or at the base of the penis are hair follicles - whether or not they have hair. They cannot be removed, and picking or scratching at them can cause them to become inflamed and red. Few people other than the owner of the member in question are likely to even notice their presence.

- Raised, dome-shaped bumps around the crown. A circle of flesh-colored bumps around the crown of the head indicates pearly penile papules - so called because of their resemblance to a string of pearls. They are harmless and non-contagious, and occur more often in uncircumcised men. Some men may have them removed surgically for cosmetic reasons.

- Red or purple thickened, warty spots. Spots like this that appear on the shaft or scrotum may be angiokertomas, which are harmless. They appear more often in elderly men, but younger men may be affected as well. They do not require any treatment.

- Pea-sized nodule filled with a cheesy substance. This is typically a cyst, and it occurs most often on the scrotum. Cysts may appear singly, or several may be present at once. Again, they are harmless growths and do not require treatment.

- Small, shiny, pink bumps. These bumps may appear in a line or in a ring. They may be itchy, but they are not in every case. They may also develop a scaly surface. These bumps are not contagious and usually resolve on their own; medical treatment is available to speed up the process.

- Raised, red patches. Patches of raised, red skin with well-defined borders that may or may not be itchy and/or scaly can be an indication of psoriasis. Men who have psoriasis elsewhere on their bodies may develop outbreaks on the penis. These can be triggered by masturbation or sex. Cortisone creams may be effective for dealing with psoriasis on the penile skin, but they can also be damaging to the skin in this area. Men should talk to their doctors about possible side effects and alternative treatments.

- Brownish or skin-colored bumps or warts. Warts in the genital area are often caused by HPV (human papilloma virus), a sexually transmitted infection. The warts are contagious; in fact, men who are carrying the virus without symptoms may also pass the disease on to a partner. The virus and warts generally clear up on their own, but this process can take a year or more. Men who are vaccinated in their early teens are much less likely to contract HPV.

- Single, painless ulcer. This can be a symptom of syphilis, a serious sexually transmitted disease. The ulcer usually heals and disappears in a couple of weeks, but the infection is still present in the body. If left untreated, it can have very serious consequences, including loss of cognition and death.

- Non-healing sore or ulcer. A painless, irregular sore or ulcer that does not heal on its own could be an indication of penile cancer. Early treatment is critical, so it is important to have sores and lesions checked by a doctor as soon as possible.
An extra level of penile skin care
 
When sores or blemishes develop, men should always see their doctor and follow the recommended treatment plan. But for everyday issues like dryness and itching that are not accompanied by unusual symptoms - or for men who simply want a healthier, more attractive member - a top-shelf penis health crème (health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil) may be applied after a shower or bath. A nutrient- and moisture-rich cream can help to eliminate dryness and itching, soothe skin that is reddened due to rough handling and enhance sensitivity levels in men who have lost some degree of feeling from daily wear and tear.

Penis Spots and Papules – Could it Be MC?

Penis spots on man's favorite tool: not something a guy ever wants to see. Real men who make proper penis care a regular part of their routine know that there are any number of things those spots can be, one of which is molluscum contagiosum. Fret not: it may sound like a deadly disease of some sort, but in fact, it's a common problem that is in no way fatal.

What is molluscum contagiosum?
Molluscum contagiosum (much more commonly called MC, because molluscum contagiosum is just pain to try to remember, much less to say) is a viral infection that causes small, red, raised dots to pop out on the skin. MC is not specifically a penis issue; it can occur on any part of the body.

The MC spots (called papules) are usually between 2 mm and 5 mm in width. While the spots tend to be red in general, they often are greyish in the middle. They cause no pain, but sometimes they can be quite itchy. Scratching them should be avoided, as this (along with friction from rubbing against clothing or other objects) can cause the papules to rupture, releasing a yellowish substance. This substance is an excellent vessel for spreading the virus that causes MC and is therefore highly contagious.

MC is most often associated with children and young adults, but a person of any age can contract it. In about 10% of cases, the infected person may also develop eczema in the area around the papules.

How many spots?
It's not uncommon for there to be a large number of spots - often up to two dozen - at one time. MC is highly contagious, so touching a papule - especially one that is oozing the yellowish substance - and then touching another part of the body can easily spread the virus. It's a good idea to wear latex gloves when examining the papules and to avoid touching any uninfected parts of the body until after the gloves have been removed and the hands washed.

MC on the penis
When MC occurs on the penis, it often means that it has been obtained from sexual activity with an infected partner; this can be from genital-to-genital contact when the partner's genitals are infected, or from hand-to-genital contact, if a man is masturbated by a person whose hands have MC. In some rare cases, MC can occur in the mouth, so it is also possible to catch MC from being on the receiving end of oral sex from a person with MC.

It is also important to remember that a man who has MC himself can pass the MC on to his own penis through masturbating with papules on his hand, or after touching the papules and then touching his own penis (whether for masturbatory or urinating purposes) without first thoroughly washing the hand.

Individuals with MC on the penis should definitely wear a condom while engaging in partner sex; they should also inform any partners that they have MC.

Treatment
MC usually resolves itself (in most cases without scarring) over a period of 12-18 months, although people with autoimmune disorders or who are undergoing chemotherapy can find MC to be much more persistent. When treatment is required, there are a number of topical solutions that may be employed; in some cases, the papules may be frozen, burned or scraped off.

As mentioned, in some cases, eczema can accompany these penis spots; using a top drawer penis vitamin cream (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil) can help this, as well as provide soothing relief to those penises without eczema; just remember that creams and lotions should not be applied to broken or inflamed skin without a doctor’s go-ahead. Thorough coverage of the organ with a cream that includes a superior emollient like shea butter will comfort and protect the penis. For even better health, make sure the chosen cream also includes L-arginine, which boosts nitric oxide production and helps keep the blood vessels open for increased penile blood flow.

Penis Spots, Dots and Bumps – What’s Normal and What Isn’t

At the first sight of penis spots, dots or bumps, most men are naturally alarmed – easy to understand, since most have been educated enough in penis health matters to know that serious problems like STDs and cancer may be characterized by these symptoms.

On the other hand, most penis bumps have nothing to do with either of these, and in some cases, they are nothing more than natural variations in skin texture. Being aware of the possible causes and understanding the best approach to penis skin care can help men to keep things in perspective and to know when help is really needed.

Help! What’s that spot?

The following signs and symptoms can help men to decipher what could be going on and whether they should be worried. In any case, a trip to the doctor can help to alleviate any concerns, or to get a treatment regimen started if warranted.

According to an article published on Netdoctor, penis spots can generally be classified as ulcers, papules or plaques, which are characterized as follows:

• Ulcers – open craters in the skin that may contain a clear liquid; they may form a crust over the top. Ulcers are fairly uncommon and can be serious in some instances. Communicable diseases such as primary syphilis and herpes, as well as certain non-sexually transmitted tropical diseases, can cause ulcers on the shaft and head of the penile skin. A single ulcer may also be a sign of cancer. Men who develop ulcers on the penis should seek medical attention at the earliest opportunity and abstain from sex until they have a firm diagnosis and treatment plan.

• Papules – small, raised bumps or dots that are less than one centimeter in diameter. These can be caused by viral conditions such as molluscum contagiosum (which may appear elsewhere on the body as well); infected follicles; HPV (genital warts); or a benign condition known as pearly penile papules, which are simply a ring of raised bumps around the crown of the penis that do not require any medical intervention and are not contagious.

• Plaques – larger raised bumps (greater than 1 cm in diameter) are rarely a sign of a serious problem. They are often related to eczema, balanitis – an inflammatory condition of the glans penis – or to autoimmune issues such as psoriasis. A raised penis plaque with a red, velvety surface that does not itch could be an early indication of cancer and should be checked by a doctor.

Treating the penis skin right

The first line of defense against disease is, of course, practicing safe sex by always using protection and avoiding skipping between partners. Keeping it clean can also help to eliminate the source of many types of infection, although this is not a sure way to protect against infectious disease.

Furthermore, as most men know, women will eagerly spend hundreds, if not thousands, on skin care products to keep their dermal tissue young-looking, supple, smooth and glowing. While men may shake their heads at this, the truth is that caring for the skin properly really can prevent problems such as early signs of aging; dry, roughened, unattractive skin; and unsightly growths, bumps and other blemishes.

Men might not have the same concerns about crow’s feet or a sagging jaw-line, but the same principles apply to the penis. Vitamins and natural moisturizers play a big role in skin health, and investing in a high-quality penis health cream  (most health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil) can pay off in large dividends. Keeping the skin soft and smooth can help to preserve penis sensation, while nourishing the penile tissue with essential vitamins and antioxidants can help to fight off disease, prevent infection, stave off unpleasant odors, and help to replace unsightly bumps and blemishes with healthy, responsive new skin.