Feel like your junk is going through puberty again, but not in a good way? Finding breakouts on your penis is not something most men enjoy dealing with, but they are extremely common. Those irritating little red bumps can really cause some panic and be very uncomfortable. Not to mention the fact that they can take a man out of the game until they clear up. Let’s talk about penis pimples and how to get rid of them.
What does a breakout on the penis look like?
Penis pimples look like the regular acne a man gets on his face. They are red dots or bumps on the skin that are usually slightly raised and range from painful to excruciating. Breakouts on the penis may also feel very tender to the touch, contain pus, or feel like a hard bump.
What causes breakouts on the penis?
Again, it’s the same stuff that causes acne on a man’s face or back (or anywhere else, for that matter). A penis pimple materializes when a pore gets congested. It’s important to note that acne comes in a few forms. A blackhead or whitehead encompasses a combination of oil and dead skin cells. A mixture of bacteria, oil, and dead skin cells can result in a pimple with or without a head. It’s the bacteria in these penis pimples that can make them last long and hurt a ton.
Breakouts on the penis will occur more if a man:
– Has oily skin
– Lives in a steamy climate
– Shaves his pubic hair
– Wears tight pants and underwear
– Doesn’t shower often enough or thoroughly enough
Irritations that look like breakouts on the penis, but aren’t
Every red bump a man sees on his meat is not always a pimple. There are numerous possibilities that a man may have something that looks like a pimple but could be one of the following:
– Folliculitis – This is a hair follicle irritation near the pubic hair, which manifests as red bumps that can be painful and itchy.
– Razor Burn – Newly shaved skin that gets inflamed and angry looking can also mimic acne. What begins as redness and irritation can progress into ingrown hairs and pus-filled bumps that can be especially tender and agonizing to the touch.
– Molluscum Contagiosum – This is an extremely contagious viral infection that looks like a collection of raised bumps with red halo-like rings around them.
It’s never a mistake to call the doc or head to a MedCheck if a man can’t tell what it is. There’s no price tag that can be put on peace of mind.
Treating breakouts on the penis
How does a man reverse penis pimples? It’s simple – ignore them. Just keep the area clean and dry (as it should usually be) and try to avoid contact with them. Once the skin rebalances, they’ll go away.
Men should never use acne treatments, OTC or prescription, on breakouts on the penis. Genital skin is fragile and delicate, and the acids that are commonly present in these products could make the penis pimples worse and result in a rash.
If a guy finds that he is always breaking out down there, he should talk to his doctor about his options. A doctor may prescribe an oral medication or retinol for the area if the problem is chronic.
Prevent penis pimples
Breakouts on the penis are just a fact of life. However, that doesn’t mean a man shouldn’t try to keep breakouts to a minimum. A few small tweaks can go a long way to keep the penis pimples at bay. Always use new razors when shaving the pubic hair and wash daily with a mild cleanser, rinsing thoroughly, and air drying whenever possible.
Men looking for a little extra something to treat their skin should apply a specially formulated penis health oil (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which has been clinically proven safe and mild for skin) daily on and around the penis. Use an oil that contains natural moisturizers like shea butter and vitamin E, which are ideal for moisturizing even the most sensitive skin. Oils that also include vitamin A are a win as well; that vitamin helps keep bacteria away. Use once or twice daily to minimize breakouts on the penis.