Most of the time, an abnormal spot orbump on your penisis not serious.
Still, it is important to see your healthcare provider.
Here are some of the causes your healthcare provider may look for.
Verywell / Emily Roberts
These conditions tend to be less serious.
Still, you should not ignore your condition just because it is non-infectious.
Any of these conditions can lead to scarring of the penis.
There may be redness, skin cracks, and tender, sore areas.
Uncircumcised penises are more prone to scarring.
The scarring may make it difficult to retract the foreskin.
This is a condition known asphimosis.
Inflamed Hair Follicles
Ahair follicleis the bulb-shaped structure in the skin that hair grows from.
Inflamed hair follicles, also calledfolliculitis, look like tiny bumps.
The may appear beneath the skin of the scrotum or base of the penis shaft.
They can be irritating, but are not usually harmful.
These are also known aspearly penile papules.
These bumps are more common on uncircumcised penises.
They are not infectious and they do not require treatment.
If they are large, they can be removed for cosmetic reasons.
Angiokeratomas
Angiokeratomasare small red or blue spots.
Sometimes these spots can cause pain or bleeding.
Psoriasis
Psoriasisis a non-infectious skin disorder.
It can appear anywhere on the body.
On the penis, it may appear as a red or salmon-colored patch with white or silvery scales.
Psoriasis is anautoimmune disorder.
When you have psoriasis, your immune system attacks skin cells on different parts of your body.
Psoriasis can often be treated with topicalcorticosteroids.
These medicines are applied on the skin and prevent your immune system from attacking your skin.
Oral medications may also help.
Lichen Sclerosus
Lichen sclerosusis a common skin condition.
About one in 300 males will develop this condition at some point in their lives.
The lesions are often itchy.
These lesions can often be treated with topical corticosteroids.
Large lesions or those that do not respond to treatment may need to be removed surgically.
Lichen sclerosus is linked to a 4% to 5% percent risk of cancer.
Lesions that do not go away should be monitored.
Lichen Planus
Lichen planusis a rare skin condition.
It is characterized by raised, flat, violet-colored bumps on the glans of the penis.
The bumps sometimes have fine white streaks and a smooth surface.
The lesions often appear in a ring or a line.
They may or may not be itchy.
Lichen planus can affect other parts of the body, including:
The condition is not infectious.
The lesions can usually be treated with topical corticosteroids.
Eczema
Eczemais a chronic skin condition.
People with eczema have itchy, red, dry, and cracked skin.
Eczema flare-ups can happen anywhere on the body.
Eczema is usually sparked by an overactive immune system.
It can be treated with topical corticosteroids.
Prescription medication can also help.
Lifestyle changes can help you avoid eczema outbreaks.
Wear loose-fitting clothing and avoid harsh chemicals.
Recap
Non-infectious causes of spots on the penis are usually less serious.
Still, they should be seen by a healthcare provider.
Many of these conditions can be treated with topical corticosteroids or prescription medication.
Infectious conditions of the penis are usually sexually transmitted.
These diseases may require medical help.
It is also known as genital warts.
HPV is passed through vaginal sex, anal sex, and oral sex.
It can also be passed through skin-to-skin sexual contact, such as mutual masturbation.
In a small subset of people, the wart may develop into cancer.
Some strains of HPV are more likely to cause cancer than others.
Topical solutions can work to gradually remove the wart.
A healthcare provider can also cut away, freeze, or burn the wart.
Gay or bisexual men with HPV are at an increased risk of cancer.
Primary Syphilis
Syphilisis an STI.
It can be contracted by coming into contact with a syphilitic sore during sex.
The sore is typically a circular lesion that does not cause pain.
It is usually ulcerative, which means there is a loss of surface tissue.
You may be able to see the sore on the penis or around the anus.
Unseen sores may also develop in the rectum, mouth, or throat.
The sore is the first symptom of primary, or first-stage syphilis.
If left untreated, it can progress to more serious forms called secondary and tertiary syphilis.
This may take months or years.
Syphilis may be diagnosed with a blood test.
Syphilis can be treated with a single dose of benzathine penicillin, an antibiotic.
The medication is injected into a muscle, usually the buttocks.
If syphilis spreads it can cause long-term damage to the body.
In later stages it may even affect the nervous system.
If you are diagnosed with syphilis, it is important to get treatment right away.
Genital Herpes
Genital herpesis an STI sparked by the herpes simplex virus (HSV).
HSV-2 causes genital herpes.
The infection triggers the development of small blisters.
These blisters break open into painful sores.The first herpes episode often causes severe pain and flu-like symptoms.
Later episodes tend to be milder.
Herpes can be transmitted during the prodrome phase and the active phase.
The prodrome phase happens just before an outbreak.
This phase is characterized by burning, tingling, or itching.
During the active phase, blisters are present.
In some cases,contact with a cold soreduring oral sex can cause genital herpes.
Herpes cannot be cured.
Antiviral medications may reduce the risk of recurrence.
They may also make active outbreaks less severe.
Certain external factors like stress can also increase the risk of recurrence.
If you have active herpes sores, it is important to avoid sex until the blisters are completely healed.
Most infectious causes of spots on the penis are sexually transmitted.
These conditions usually require treatment.
See your healthcare provider right away to avoid long-term problems and prevent spreading them to someone else.
Molluscum Contagiosum
Molluscum contagiosumis a common viral disease.
It can appear anywhere on the body, including the penis.
It is easily passed through sexual contact or other types of direct skin-to-skin contact.
Transmission may also happen when you share towels, clothess, gym mats, and personal care items.
People with weakened immune systems, such as those with advanced HIV, are especially prone to infection.
Molluscum contagiosum appears as firm, dome-shaped bumps with a dimple in the middle.
They are usually flesh-colored.
The bumps are usually painless.
They may itch and turn a bright red color when scratched.
The infection usually goes away on its own, but it may take a long time.
The bumps usually disappear in six to 12 months, but may last as long as four years.
Some people choose to have the bumps removed for cosmetic reasons.
Removing them also reduces the risk of transmission.
Topical creams containing retinoids can sometimes help.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved two topical agents for the treatment of MC.
Ycanth (cantharidin) is a topical treatment for people aged 2 and older.
Penile Cancer
Penile cancer is a much less common cause of lesions on the penis.
Penile cancer affects only around 2,200 Americans a year.
The early or precancerous stage is called penile carcinoma in situ.
In this stage the lesion is often red and raised with a velvety texture.
Almost 95% of all penile cancers aresquamous cell carcinomas.These tumors grow slowly.
They usually appear as flat skin lesions on the glans or foreskin.
Verrucous carcinoma is a less common pop in of squamous cell carcinoma.
It is also slow growing and can look like a large wart.
Penilemelanomais the most dangerous jot down.
Lesions are purplish, brown, or black.
With early treatment most penile cancers can be cured.
Delaying treatment can be dangerous.
As the cancer grows, more aggressive treatment may be needed.
This may include thepartial or complete removal of the penis.
Summary
There are many possible causes of a rash or growth on the penis.
Non-infectious conditions are usually less serious.
These conditions can often be treated surgically or with topical corticosteroids.
Infectious conditions usually require treatment.
Most infectious conditions are sexually transmitted.
They may need to be treated with antibiotics.
Some may need to be removed by a healthcare provider.
In rare cases, a lesion on the penis may be cancerous.
When treated early, most penile cancers can be cured.
That is why self-diagnosis is never a good idea.
Early medical care can prevent serious problems.
It will also reduce the risk of transmitting infections to others.
Do not wait to seek treatment.
Embarrassment should never come between you and a diagnosis.
Pimples, ingrown hairs, or small skin cysts are all common on or around the penis.
Small white bumps called penile papules are also normal and harmless.
Mild genital psoriasis can be treated with over-the-counter hydrocortisone of 1.0%.
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