For some men, penis odor is a minor inconvenience; for others, it’s a major issue which affects their self-esteem and has the potential to de-rail an otherwise-promising relationship. There are numerous reasons why a guy might have penis odor. One of the lesser known causes is something called trichobacteriosis axillaris – or, often, simply trichobacteriosis.
A strange name
Trichobacteriosis is a mouthful, to say the least. As Wikipedia says, it is “a superficial bacterial colonization of the hair shafts in sweat gland-bearing areas, such as the armpits and the groin.” It’s similar to another condition, called trichomycosis, but trichomycosis is caused by a fungal infection rather than a bacterial infection.
So what does it all mean? Basically, when a guy has trichobacteriposis in his groin, it means that a particular kind of bacteria (called Corynebacteria, for those who keep track of such things) has kind of gone wild. It most often presents as either nodules or waxy masses along the shafts of pubic hair or sometimes on the skin near the base of pubic hair. These nodules or masses tend to be yellowish, although occasionally they can be red or black instead. Often, it looks like many strands of pubic hair have developed a “second skin” of a semi-sticky wax. These masses or nodules come about because of all the excess bacteria that has invaded the area.
Penis odor
And where does the penis odor come in? When a man sweats, these bacteria metabolize with testosterone to create a very strong, rank odor. The more a man sweats and the more bacteria that are present, the stronger the penis odor. In some cases, the odor can be overwhelming. Often, men with trichobacteriosis develop sweat stains that cause a yellowish discoloration to affected clothing. (Although this article is concerned with trichobacteriosis on the penis, it also is often found in the armpits – and often a man with it in one area has it in both area. So discolored armpits on shirts may be a sign that the penis is also affected.)
Men who sweat a lot and/or men who don’t practice proper hygiene are among those most at risk of developing trichobacteriosis. The bacteria responsible is itself a common one.
Treatment
Trichobacteriosis is a benign condition, causing no physical harm to a person. But because of the significant penis odor it can cause – sometimes accompanied by penile itching – it is recommended that men with the issue treat it.
The first step in treatment is often to shave the affected area. Shaving to the skin rather than just trimming is generally more effective. The area should remain clean shaven for a period of 2-4 weeks. During that time, the area should be washed thoroughly on a regular basis. It is thought that rubbing the area thoroughly while washing helps to better reach and kill the bacteria.
After the hair grows in again, men should wash the area regularly and may want to keep it shaved as well. It can be helpful to “air the area out” by spending at least an hour a day naked. Some men find that sleeping naked helps to air out the penis effectively.
Fighting trichobacteriosis can help defeat penis odor, and the fight can be aided if a ma n regularly applies a first rate penis health creme (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven mild and safe for skin). It is important that whatever crème is chosen contains vitamin A. Also known as retinol, vitamin A is a natural antibacterial agent which helps fight persistent penis odor (while also helping to fight unsightly blemishes.) It also helps if the crème has a potent antioxidant, such as alpha lipoic acid. This helps to destroy excess free radicals which can weaken penis skin through oxidative stress.
