There can be several conditions causing symptoms that can affect the head of the penis. You might experience a combination of one or two such as soreness, swelling, itchiness, redness or pain. These symptoms can be distressing when you do not know the exact cause and various conditions may be responsible for it. The positive news is that there are effective treatments to treat a sore or itchy penis.
The answer is yes. Though the irritation may not be serious enough to see a private GP, it is necessary to get yourself checked. Many symptoms are quite common due to several conditions and so, it is necessary to get a proper diagnosis. The conditions left untreated may turn worse as the longer you wait, the harder the treatment will be. You also want to know that you do not pass on the infection to your sex partner.
A common cause for the penis to become red, sore, or itchy tip is atopic or contact dermatitis. Also called eczema, this condition can be triggered due to external factors like your skin getting in contact with the irritant. It can be distressing in extreme cases as blisters may form and pop which increases the risk of infection. Some irritants that can lead to dermatitis are – shower gel, soap, sweat, latex, laundry detergent, dietary allergens or chemicals found in swimming pools. In the case of eczema, after a diagnosis from the doctor, treatment options are creams, special emollients or moisturisers and avoidance of triggers.
This occurs due to herpes simplex virus or HSV which may trigger itching and pain in the genital part and on the penis. The virus may lie dormant in the body for many years and some people who have this infection may not know about it. Other than itching, an outbreak may produce small clusters of fluid-filled blisters.
Thrush, also called candidiasis or yeast infection is more common in women than in men. Thrush may occur due to a fungus known as Candida albicans and it leads to symptoms that can be uncomfortable. Other than irritation and redness around the head of the penis, there is usually discharge and the itching may be intense. There is a common treatment for thrush which is over-the-counter medication.
It is important to have a proper diagnosis from a doctor first instead of trying to treat it yourself. Firstly, the symptoms are similar to certain sexually transmitted infections which should be ruled out. Secondly, thrush denotes a serious underlying condition like a compromised immune system or diabetes.
The inflammation and redness of glans are less common with different sexually transmitted infections, however painful urination and itching may be symptoms of certain infections like chlamydia. The blistering of eczema is similar to herpes lesions. When you remain sexually active and have not undergone STD screening for some time, the doctor may suggest conducting sexual health screening to rule out an infection.
This is a type of skin irritation of the glans and foreskin. Males can get it at any age from bacterial infection, allergies, fungus or chemicals. Other than redness, swelling and soreness, you can also get discharge, itching and pain at the time of urination. It is necessary to conduct proper diagnosis from the private GP which occurs due to infection or irritation of some kind and can be prevented by following good hygiene habits.
If you have type 2 diabetes, there can be greater levels of glucose in the urine and blood as well as increased sweating. These factors may lead to the growth of fungus which means repeated instances of thrush due to higher sugar levels.
Urethritis is a condition when the urethra gets infected. The inflammation of the urethra carries urine from your bladder to the outside of the body. Certain symptoms are – stinging sensation, penile discharge, irritation, itchiness and pain at the time of urination.
A fungal infection like candidiasis will generally respond quickly to anti-fungal cream. This may sometimes be combined with ointment or mild cream and can be purchased with a doctor’s prescription. If your doctor suspects some allergic reaction, you might conduct further tests to know the exact cause of the problem. Other causes for irritation to the penis may require specific treatment from the doctor. Certain medications may lead to allergic reactions that cause yeast infection or balanitis. These are – tetracycline and some drugs used for treating diabetes.
When someone experiences itching or soreness in the penis, it is important to see a doctor. He will determine the exact cause of the itching and provide over-the-counter medication to treat it on time. Depending on the cause of the itchy penis, there are some possible treatment options. Some of these are the following:
There are a few ways to lessen the chances of penile irritation. Improper washing can lead to several cases of eczema and balanitis. Below are some tips to keep your penis healthy:
If the penis is somewhat itchy, here are a few things you may try at home to soothe the itch.
There are certain causes of penile itching which do not require a visit to the doctor. An ingrown hair will heal on its own within a week. Similarly, inflammation, redness and itching from contact dermatitis might go away after you are not exposed to the irritant or allergen. However, some conditions may not go away without proper treatment.
You need to see a doctor when the penile itching becomes severe, does not improve, or has accompanying symptoms like blisters, rashes, discharge or pain. A doctor might be able to diagnose the exact cause of penis itchiness after examining the skin condition. They may even use a swab for your penis and send the sample to the laboratory. This will be able to confirm or rule out bacteria, fungal infections and viruses.
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