Are you experiencing dry skin on the skin of your penis? If so, you're not alone, as it's a problem that many men face at some point in their lives. This might be a little embarrassing to talk about, but if you're experiencing penis skin that's dry and irritated, you shouldn't be immediately worried. The skin on your penis is just like the skin everywhere else on your body, and it can experience symptoms of dryness, flakiness, or even the occasional pimple.
Symptoms
Dry skin on the penis can come in many different forms. Some men might experience dry and cracking skin while others might experience skin that's slightly flaky and irritated. It can be itchy and/or painful, and it's essential to understand what's causing it and how to treat it if you want your penis skin to look and feel healthy.
What Should I Do?
The first thing you need to do if you're experiencing dry skin on the penis is to make sure that it isn't a condition requiring medical attention.
If you're experiencing pain, you might have an infection, and you should talk to your doctor about it. They can determine if it's a condition that you can treat on your own, or if you'll need oral or topical medications to get rid of it. You need to speak with your doctor if you're experiencing a thickening of the skin on your penis, as this can be a sign of a more serious condition.
Many factors can cause dry skin on the penis. If you're experiencing itchy, flaky, or cracked penis skin for the first time, make an appointment with your doctor.
Some things can exacerbate dry penis skin and make it more uncomfortable. For example, excessive washing with soap and water can dry out your skin. If you're showering or bathing more than once a day, you might want to consider cutting back a little bit.
In addition, certain types of clothing can cause your penis to be irritated. For example, materials that rub against the penis might be irritating. In addition, tight clothing that doesn't let your penis breathe can also be a problem. If you notice that your penis skin looks irritated, you might want to try wearing loose-fitting clothing.
What Causes Dry Penis Skin?
Many things can cause dry penis skin. Some of the most common causes of dry skin on the penis include:
Lifestyle Causes
- Skin irritation from shaving.
- Skin irritation from traction or chafing
- Skin irritation from certain sexual practices, such as excessive masturbation.
- Skin irritation from harsh soaps or other chemical treatments.
- Environmental factors, such as cold or wind.
- Dry skin from tight clothing.
- Irritation from allergies.
There are also medical reasons, such as STIs, that may cause dry skin. If you have a discharge from your penis that is abnormal or has a strong odor, you should visit a doctor immediately because you could have a sexually transmitted disease. Your penis skin may also be dry because of a chancre sore, a symptom of syphilis.
Medical Causes
Daily Medications: certain medications, most frequently those with an anti-depressant or anti-anxiety effect, can dry out your skin.
Yeast Infections: A white, itchy rash may be a symptom of a yeast infection. If you're experiencing a rash, the best decision you can make is to have it looked at by your doctor, but you can also try over-the-counter antifungal creams.
Balanitis: This is a rarer medical condition that can present with a red, inflamed, or itchy penis. It is a form of inflammation of the head of the penis. A bacterial infection causes it. If you think you have balanitis, make sure you see a doctor before using any over-the-counter.
Eczema: Eczema can be easily confused with balanitis, but usually affects other parts of the body. Eczema is a skin inflammation caused by various external factors, including stress, temperature changes, and even specific foods. If you have eczema, your doctor can prescribe you a cream that will help.
Genital Psoriasis: You might be familiar with psoriasis on other parts of your body, but psoriasis can present on your penis as well. If you're experiencing red, flaky skin on your penis, it is possible that you're experiencing psoriasis. Again, the best way to determine the cause of your dry skin is by seeing a doctor.
How To Tell the Difference Between Dry Skin and an STI
If you're experiencing dry skin on your penis, it's important to know that this is a fairly common occurrence. A variety of factors can cause it, and there are a number of ways to treat dry skin. However, if you're experiencing a rash, redness, or blisters, you may be experiencing symptoms of an STD or an STD. If you're experiencing these symptoms, it's important to get checked out by a doctor right away. While both conditions are treatable, the sooner you treat an STD, the better.
STD/STI Symptoms:
- White or yellow heads on the skin
- Itchiness
- Sores that won't heal
- Pain or burning while urinating
- Burning or pain during sex
- Bleeding during sex
- Genital warts (HPV)
- Genital sores
How To Improve Dry Skin on the Penis
So what can you do to improve your dry skin on the penis? There are really only two real options, and most of the time, they're both effective.
If you're experiencing dry skin on your penis due to an external factor, such as a medication or an infection, you should contact your physician. Don't stop your medications without expressing your situation with your doctor. If it's a medication, you should consult with your doctor to see if there are any alternatives. If it's an infection, you should visit your doctor nonetheless.
If it's an internal factor, such as eczema, psoriasis, or even just dry skin, you'll likely want to invest in a moisturizer. Remember that the skin on your penis is just like the skin on your hands, feet, head, and anywhere else on your body. It needs to be kept moisturized to stay healthy, but you need only to use appropriate moisturizers. Non-fragrant lotions and creams will do the trick, and you don't want to use anything too greasy or with too many additives.
If you're experiencing dry, flaky skin on your penis, don't be afraid to talk to your doctor about it. There are a variety of possible remedies for dry skin on the penis, and a doctor will be able to help you determine the best solution.
The Bottom Line
You may be embarrassed to talk to your doctor about dry skin on your penis, but you shouldn't be. It's just like any other part of your body. If you experience dry, flaky skin that itches or burns, don't hesitate to talk to your doctor about it.
This blog post is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical or other professional advice. Your specific circumstances should be discussed with a healthcare provider. All statements of opinion represent the writers' judgement at the time of publication and are subject to change. Phoenix and its affiliates provide no express or implied endorsements of third parties or their advice, opinions, information, products, or services.