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The Roommate and the Itchy Penis: Does It Affect Everyone?

At some point in his life, almost every dude is going to have a roommate; many guys will have roommates for an extended period of their lives. As with most social situations, there are advantages and disadvantages to sharing a living space with someone. And a successful roommate living situation depends on the right level of communication. Sometimes, surprisingly, that communication might need to center around penis health, which can often be a delicate subject. For example, suppose a roommate has a noticeably itchy penis. Is this something that should be of any concern to others who may live with him? If so, how should the subject be broached?

Itchy penis causes

As most men know, there can be numerous reasons why a guy has an itchy penis. All men get an itch every now and then, but in this case, an itchy penis refers to a manhood that needs frequent and/or intense scratching. While there’s nothing wrong with an itchy penis, it can sometimes indicate a penis health issue that might require attention.

For example, some causes of penile itching that might cause concern include:

– A sexually transmitted infection (STI). This, of course, is the elephant in the room, the cause that everyone really wants to avoid. Not every STI includes itching as a symptom (and even if itching is a typical symptom, that doesn’t mean everyone who gets the STI will also get an itch). But it is often associated with genital warts and chlamydia, among other STIs.

– Pubic lice or scabies. Pubic lice (crabs) are tiny parasites that are often, but not always, spread through sexual contact. Scabies are another kind of mite that can cause significant itching and are likely to spread beyond the genital region.

– Thrush. Also known as candidiasis, thrush is a fungal infection that can create a rashy, itchy situation in men.

– Jock itch. Another fungal infection, and one that is very common among younger men living together.

If a roommate has an itchy penis and it seems like one of the above could be a cause, it’s certainly in the roommate’s best interest to know that he should do something about it, most likely see a doctor. Exactly how willing a roommate is to tell his roomie this depends on their relationship and level of communication. For example, one reaction may be “What are you doing looking at my junk like that, bro?” which some guys may find off-putting.

A concern for both

But an itchy penis caused by one of the above issues can be a concern for the non-affected roommate as well. For example, many of the causes of penile itching can be passed on through sharing of items. If one roommate takes a shower and dries his junk off with a towel which is then later used by another guy, the second guy could conceivably pick up the itch. (This is even true with genital warts; though the virus that causes them is primarily passed on through sexual contact, studies have shown that it can be passed on through secondary contact points like shared towels, linens or clothing.)

For that reason, it pays for a guy to talk to his roommate if he seems to have a penis itch that needs investigating and treating.

Whether he has a roommate or not, any guy is likely to get an occasional itchy penis due to dry or irritated skin. In such cases, using a superior penis health crème (health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven mild and safe for skin) can be a big help. It’s essential to choose a crème with both Shea butter and vitamin E, as this combination of a high-end emollient and a natural hydrator does wonders to keep penis skin moisturized. The better crèmes will also include alpha lipoic acid, a potent antioxidant that helps prevent oxidative stress from marring sensitive penis skin.

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