A sore in the penis may arise due to a bruise caused by friction with very tight clothing, during intercourse or due to poor hygiene, for example. It can also be caused by allergy to clothing or hygiene products, because of a dermatitis, but it is also possible that it arises due to infections, such as syphilis or genital herpes, or even due to a cancer of the penis.
As there are various causes, if a penile wound arises, it is necessary to seek the general practitioner or urologist, who can evaluate the characteristics of the injury and request tests. Treatment will depend on the cause, and may include healing ointments, antibiotics, antifungal, antiviral or chemotherapy, for example. In some cases of STDs, the partner may also need treatment.
In addition to the wound, the man may also notice a lump or lump in the penis, which may be due to hormonal changes or due to genital warts, caused by HPV, for example. Also know how to differentiate between the causes of lump in the penis.
1. Skin irritation
Some people ask to be sensitive to the fabric of clothing, soap or hygiene products, for example, which can cause areas of redness, peeling or ulceration on the skin, accompanied by itching and burning.
A skin irritation can be caused by friction with certain clothes or during intimate relationships. It can also arise from poor hygiene in the region, which causes the accumulation of sweat, oiliness and microorganisms in the skin, which can cause inflammation known as balanitis. Learn how to identify and treat balanitis.
- What to do : It is necessary to identify and avoid contact with substances causing irritation. In the case of an allergy, it is possible to use antiallergic medication in ointment or tablet, such as hydroxyzine, to relieve symptoms or creams that help to facilitate healing, such as Nebacetin or Bepantol, for example. The balanitis is treated with corticosteroid, antifungal or antibiotic ointments. When treated correctly, the wound may heal in about a week.
2. Genital herpes
Sexually transmitted infections are important causes of penile injury, and genital herpes is one of the most common. This infection is caused by the herpes simplex virus, acquired by contact with another person with active lesions, and causes the onset of redness and small blisters, accompanied by pain and burning on the spot.
- What to do : The treatment of genital herpes is doctor-directed, and includes the use of antiviral drugs such as Acyclovir or Valaciclovir tablets or ointments, which help decrease virus replication, as well as local anesthetic ointments or gels such as Lidocaine, to reduce the uncomfortable symptoms such as pain and burning. Learn more about how to identify and treat this infection.
3. Syphilis
It is an infection caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum, and causes a painless ulcer to appear about 3 weeks after infection by the non-preservative ratio. Lack of treatment can cause the disease to progress to more advanced stages, such as secondary or tertiary syphilis.
- What to do : Syphilis treatment should be done as soon as possible, and it is done with antibiotics such as Penicillin. Learn how it happens and how to treat syphilis.
4. Other infections
Other STDs also associated with penile wounds include venereal lymphogranuloma, donovanose, or HPV, for example. Penile lesions can also arise internally, as in urethritis, which causes pain and yellowing discharge, and can be caused by bacteria such as gonorrhea.
- What to do : Treatment with doctor-directed medications, including antibiotics or, in the case of HPV, cauterization of the lesions is also recommended.
5. Autoimmune diseases
There are several immunity related diseases that can cause wounds to the skin and genital area, and some of the most common are Behçet's disease, pemphigus, lichen, Cröhn's disease, Reiter's disease, erythema multiforme or dermatitis herpetiformis, for example. These diseases are often accompanied by injuries to other parts of the body and systemic symptoms such as fever, tiredness or weight loss.
- What to do : Research and treatment of these diseases are done by the rheumatologist or dermatologist, with medicines that help regulate immunity, such as corticosteroids or immunosuppressants, for example.
6. Cancer
Penile cancer is a rare type of tumor that can arise in the organ or just the skin that covers it, causing the appearance of wounds, nodules or changes in the color and texture of the skin. It is most common in the elderly over 60 years, but it can also happen in young people, especially in men who do not do good hygiene in the intimate region or smokers.
- What to do : The treatment of cancer in the penis is indicated by the oncologist and urologist, and includes performing surgery to remove the maximum of affected tissue, in addition to chemotherapy or radiotherapy, depending on the severity and extent of the injury. Understand more about how to identify and treat penile cancer.
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