What Causes Red Spots on the Penis and How Are They Treated?
https://www.healthline.com/health/me...-spot-on-penis
Should I be concerned?
If red spots have formed on your penis, it’s important to remember that they aren’t always a sign of something serious.
In some cases, red spots may result from poor hygiene or a minor irritation. These spots typically disappear in a day or two.
Red spots that develop as a result of something more serious, such as a sexually transmitted infection (STI), typically last longer and are accompanied by other symptoms.
Read on to learn what symptoms to watch for, how each condition might be treated, and when to see your doctor.
What do the red bumps look like?
If you’re looking for a quick diagnosis, you can use the following chart to assess your spot symptoms. This chart is only assessing the appearance, feel, location, and number of spots — it isn’t accounting for any other symptoms that you may be experiencing.
If you’re leaning toward one or two different conditions based on spot symptoms, read more about them below to assess any other symptoms, learn treatment options, and see whether you should visit your doctor.
Genital herpes
Genital herpes is an STI that can cause red spots on your penis, as well as your:
scrotum
pubic area at the base of the penis
thighs
buttocks
mouth (if it’s passed through oral sex)
Genital herpes results from the herpes simplex virus (HSV-2 or, less frequently, HSV-1). This virus enters your body during unprotected sex with someone who carries the virus.
Other symptoms include:
pain or discomfort
itchiness
ulcers that bleed or drain when blisters pop
scarring or scab development when ulcers get better
Options for treatment
See your doctor if you think you have genital herpes. It isn’t curable, but your doctor may prescribe antiviral medications, such as valacyclovir (Valtrex) or acyclovir (Zovirax), to ease your symptoms and prevent it from spreading to your sexual partners.
Syphilis
Syphilis is an STI caused by Treponema pallidum. This bacterium is spread through unprotected sex with someone who’s infected.
The first symptom is often a circular, red, painless sore on your penis and genital area. If left untreated, it can spread and advance to other parts of your body.
As the infection progresses, you may experience:
rash on other parts of your body, such as your torso
fever of 101°F (38.3°C) or higher
lymph node swelling
headaches
paralysis
Options for treatment
Seek immediate medical attention if you think you have syphilis. The longer it’s untreated, the more severe and irreversible your symptoms may become.
In its early stages, syphilis can be successfully cured with injected or oral antibiotics, such as:
benzathine penicillin
ceftriaxone (Rocephin)
doxycycline (Oracea)
You shouldn’t engage in sexual activity until a follow-up blood test shows that the infection has cleared.
Scabies
Scabies happens when mites burrow into your skin to live, eat skin cells, and lay eggs. These mites are spread through close contact — usually sexual activity — with someone who already has them.
The most notable symptoms are itching and irritation where the mite dug into your skin.
Other symptoms include:
dry, scaly skin
blisters
white-colored lines in the skin where mites have burrowed
Options for treatment
See your doctor if you think you have scabies. They’ll likely prescribe a topical cream, such as permethrin (Elimite) or crotamiton (Eurax), to treat and clear the infestation. You should follow their instructions for application closely.
Molluscum contagiosum
Molluscum contagiosum is a skin infection caused by a poxvirus. It’s spread through skin-to-skin contact or by sharing towels, clothes, bedding, or other materials with someone who’s infected.
It typically results in red, itchy bumps on your penis and other affected areas. Scratching can irritate the bumps and cause the infection to spread to other areas of the body.
Options for treatment
Molluscum contagiosum often goes away on its own, so you don’t need to seek treatment right away.
To relieve symptoms, your doctor may recommend one or more of the following:
topical therapies to dissolve bumps
cryosurgery to freeze and remove bumps
curettage to cut bumps out from the skin
laser surgery to destroy bumps
Balanitis
Balanitis is irritation of the head (glans) of your penis. It’s usually caused by poor hygiene or an infection. You’re more likely to develop balanitis if you’re uncircumcised.
Red spots, swelling, and itching are common symptoms.
Other symptoms include:
pain while urinating
fluid buildup under the foreskin
inability to pull back your foreskin (phimosis)
Options for treatment
In some cases, balanitis can be resolved by practicing good hygiene. You should keep your penis clean by regularly washing under your foreskin. Use natural, unscented soaps and pat your penis and the area under your foreskin dry.
If your symptoms linger or don’t improve after a couple of days, see your doctor. You may be experiencing an infection.
Your doctor may prescribe:
steroid creams, such as hydrocortisone
antifungal creams, such as clotrimazole (Lotrimin)
antibiotics, such as metronidazole (Flagyl)
Contact dermatitis
Contact dermatitis is a skin reaction from touching something you’re allergic to.
Immediate symptoms include:
swelling
itching
dry, scaly skin
pus-filled blisters that burst and ooze
If the bumps start oozing and become infected, you may also experience symptoms like fatigue and fever.
Options for treatment
Contact dermatitis usually goes away on its own. You may find it helpful to:
apply a cold compress
sit in a warm oatmeal bath
take over-the-counter antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
Shop for antihistamines.
You should see your doctor if:
your blisters pop
you have a fever
the rash spreads beyond your penis
Your doctor may recommend prescription-strength antihistamines or other therapies to help ease your symptoms.
Yeast infection
A yeast infection, or thrush, is an infection caused by the Candida fungus. It’s usually a result of poor hygiene or sex with someone who’s infected.
The most common symptoms are red spots or irritation in the genital area. The area may also itch.
Other symptoms include:
smelliness
trouble retracting your foreskin (phimosis)
a white, chunky substance at the tip of your penis or under your foreskin
Options for treatment
A yeast infection can go away on its own with improved hygiene and looser clothing.
If your symptoms are severe or last for more than a few days, see your doctor. They may prescribe antifungal creams or oral medication, such as clotrimazole, to help ease your symptoms.
Jock itch
Jock itch, or tinea cruris, is a genital infection caused by dermatophyte fungi. It usually happens when you sweat a lot or don’t wash your genital area well enough.
The most common symptoms are red spots or a rash in your genital area. Your skin may also appear dry, scaly, or flaky.
Options for treatment
Improved hygiene can help relieve symptoms. If your symptoms are severe or last for more than a few days, see your doctor. They may prescribe an antifungal cream or ointment, such as clotrimazole.
Genital eczema
Atopic dermatitis (eczema) is a skin condition that can cause irritation on your penis. It’s usually a result of both genetic and environmental factors like stress, smoking, and allergens.
The most common symptoms are red, irritated spots or a rash in your genital area.
Other symptoms include:
dry, scaly skin
constant itching
pus-filled blisters that crust over
Options for treatment
If you suspect your symptoms are the result of an eczema flare, see your doctor. They may be able to recommend new or different therapies to help ease your symptoms and prevent flare-ups.
This includes:
antibiotic creams, such as mupirocin (Centany)
calcineurin inhibitors, such as pimecrolimus (Elidel)
topical corticosteroids, such as hydrocortisone
injectable biologics, such as dupilumab (Dupixent)
In the meantime, you may find it helpful to:
apply a cold compress
apply lotion, moisturizer, or aloe vera
Shop for lotion, moisturizer, and aloe vera now.
Genital psoriasis
Psoriasis happens when skin cells grow too quickly and cause irritation. It's likely caused by an immune system condition in which your white blood cells mistakenly attack skin cells.
The most common symptoms are red, itchy bumps or a rash in your genital area.
Other symptoms can include:
dry or sore skin that bleeds
joints feeling stiff or swollen
thick or ridged fingernails or toenails
Options for treatment
If you suspect your symptoms are the result of a psoriasis flare, see your doctor. They may be able to recommend new or different therapies to help ease your symptoms and prevent flare-ups.
This includes:
topical corticosteroids, such as hydrocortisone
phototherapy, which exposes the skin to concentrated UV light
retinoids, such as acitretin (Soriatane)
biologics, such as adalimumab (Humira)
Shop for hydrocortisone.
In the meantime, you may find it helpful to:
apply lotion, moisturizer, or aloe vera
take baths every day
limit or avoid alcohol and tobacco intake
When to see your doctor
Regardless of the suspected cause, you should see your doctor if:
the spots become unbearably painful or itchy
the spots show signs of infection
you notice STI symptoms like fatigue and fever
Your doctor can assess your symptoms and make a diagnosis, if needed. They can also offer information on how to ease your symptoms at home or prescribe any necessary medication.