Last updated 1/5/2023
There are a few causes and at-home treatments for chronic penile itching, whether it be on the skin, head of the penis, or inside the penis. The feeling of uncomfortable itching of the penis is followed by a strong urge to scratch.
In the worst cases, the sensation is frequently followed by the development of red spots nearby. In the affected area, there may occasionally be bumps and some types of discoloration.
An itchy penis can be caused the following:
- Allergic reaction from latex or allergens in soap chemicals;
- Medications;
- Skincare items and other supplies;
- Yeast Infections
- Sexually Transmitted Infection (STIs/STDs)
- Fungal Infections
- Bacterial Infections
- Dead Skin Cells
- Penile Inflammatory Skin Disorders
We’ll talk about a few of the reasons why you might have an itchy penis or penis irritation in this article. We’ll also discuss the best natural cures and home remedies for penile itching to make you feel better. Let’s get into it.
Is an Itchy Penis Common?
Yes, to answer briefly. Private area itchiness is common. Any place on the skin’s surface where there is an itch might be uncomfortable.
A bacterial or fungal infection may be the cause of itching near the penis. If the condition is not investigated as soon as possible, it might soon start to worry people.
Along with some natural remedies for treating an itchy penis or penis irritation and some prevention advice, we listed some potential causes.
What are the causes of Penis Itching?
There are a number of possible causes for penis itching. Males frequently encounter the condition of itching in the pubic region.
If not adequately treated, an inflammation can spread all over and around the penis. Due to the ideal conditions, the foreskin of the penis, the skin of the glands, the tip of the penis, and the area around the penis may serve as a breeding ground for various bacteria and fungus.
It is simple to identify the reason of penis itching using the symptoms that are visible. A Sexually Transmitted Infection is regarded as one of the most frequent causes of penis itch. Lack of good personal hygiene, allergies, irritability, and some diseases are other causes.
The complications that could result from penis itching could also be caused by these elements. The following are the most typical reasons for penile irritation:
Candidiasis (Penile Yeast Infections)
‘Thrush’ is another name for candidiasis, which is a yeast infection in the male genital area. According to research, skin irritation is caused by the infectious etiology of candidiasis (itchy penis).
Under the foreskin, there may be a burning feeling. The skin under the foreskin is the perfect environment for yeast infections to thrive in.
The penis’s tip is infected with a fungus, which results in simultaneous itching and inflammation. On the tip, there can be apparent redness and a tiny amount of edema. The entire genital area can feel uncomfortable and painful as a result.
Contact Dermatitis (Skin Irritation)
As the name implies, this condition is brought on by coming into touch with an allergen, such as latex, soap, a scent, or cloth. Using a condom made of latex is a frequent cause of contact dermatitis. On the penis, contact dermatitis may appear as an itchy lump.
The majority of genital irritations and pain are caused by genital allergies, according to research on genital contact allergy. When the skin comes into touch with anything that causes the skin to respond, contact dermatitis, a skin illness, develops.
It could cause dry skin, allergic reactions, pimples, and genital rashes. Burning skin, leathery and reddish skin, scales, and flakes on dried-out skin are the typical signs. A crucial factor that makes it easier for these irritants to produce itching is sensitive skin. Lotions and other cosmetics may contribute to this problem.
Genital Herpes Simplex Virus (Sexually Transmitted Infection)
The Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) can makes the penis itch. It’s a sexually transmitted infection which is obtained through sexual intercourse.
Genital herpes is a disorder that causes discomfort from itchy foreskin and genital area, inside penis itching and general penis irritation. This may be followed by painful urination. It also causes blisters to form on the thighs, anus, and the shaft of the penis.
Itching is a common symptom of genital herpes, according to research, and 14% of the world population are infected with genital herpes.
Genital Warts (Sexually Transmitted Infections)
A genital wart is an infection that spreads through sexual contact and develops on the shaft and tip of the penis. It results from a low-risk HPV infection as a complication. The human papillomavirus is to blame (HPV).
They have a flesh-colored appearance and a cauliflower-like form. Genital warts typically cause an itchy penis area and appear as tiny bumps. In the worst scenarios, an itchy penis can cause bleeding if the bumps are scratched too hard.
According to research on treating genital warts, sexual activity can both transmit and cause genital warts to develop. While having a sexual encounter, there may be significant bleeding as well. One of the most prevalent sexually transmitted infections is this one (STIs).
The penis starts to itch as soon as a male touches it, and all other symptoms also start to appear. Most sexually active people eventually develop these warts, according to the CDC. This condition is more common in people with weakened immune systems and frequent sexual partners.
Balanitis
The swelling of the penis head is referred to as balanitis. It is a typical type of skin irritations that often impacts the male penis head.
It is currently unknown if balanitis may spread from one host to another. The infectious state is brought on by the particular bacterium.
Balanitis is frequently identified by these symptoms:
- discomfort when urinating
- itchy penis and genital area,
- swelling,
- omits unpleasant odors.
Lichen Nitidus
Sores are produced as a result of the condition’s inflammation of the skin’s cells. On the surface of the penis, there are very little lumps that resemble pins or have flat tips. All of these lumps are simply inflamed skin cells.
People who are sexually active frequently have this problem. Penis foreskin itching and discomfort are the results of these conditions. Inflammation and redness are other typical symptoms.
Poison Ivy
You’ll want to ensure you don’t have poison ivy on your penis which is a possibility if you’ve recently been in the woods or a forest. We recently wrote a post about summer penile syndrome, which goes into detail about how to identify if you have poison ivy or chiggers on the penis.
Scabies
When mites burrow into the skin, scabies appears on the penis. The entire body may be impacted if mites get access to it. Scabies produces intense itching and pain in the penis.
On the penile shaft, scabies frequently manifests as a little lump. A research on genital scabies revealed that the male genital region is the preferred habitat of mites.
Scabies in males is brought on by these mites. The penis will itch from scabies.
Chlamydia
Chlamydia is a bacterial infection, which is frequently brought on by sexual intercourse with someone infected. According to statistics, 129 million individuals worldwide contracted chlamydia. The infection’s symptoms include painful penis discharge.
Although there are no obvious rashes, an itchy foreskin is a typical symptom. This occasionally comes with swollen testicles. It hurts and is uncomfortable.
Genital Psoriasis
It is an autoimmune disorder that results in tiny, flaming spots all over the penis. It’s a chronic skin condition which results in glossy or scaly skin, which further promotes pain and irritation.
Friction
Friction-producing actions might result in penile soreness and redness. For instance, chafing occurs while wearing very tight-fitting clothing resulting in friction burn on penis. Even masturbation and sexual activity result in vigorous rubbing, which might cause itching.
Ingrown Hair Follicles
Hair that coils and develops on the inside of the penis skin is known as an ingrown hair. It could manifest on or around the penis. Usually, the issue appears after shaving. A multitude of disorders that irritate the penis can occur from this hair.
It has razor pimples, itchy, red blisters, and ongoing irritability. The blisters may contain a pus-like liquid that is yellow or green in color. These lumps may cause uncomfortable urination and internal penis itching.
Peyronie’s disease
The penis shaft develops tough lumps of scar tissue as a result of Peyronie’s disease. During an erection, it causes the penis to tilt to one side. The illness frequently results in extreme penile irritation and produces excruciating discomfort on and around the penis.
Eczema
Eczema is a skin disorder that makes the skin itchy, dry, and inflammatory. Any region of the body, including the penis, may acquire Eczema and flaky skin. According to the findings, 31.6 million individuals worldwide suffer from various types of eczema.
Home Remedies for Penis Itching
It’s critical to realize that your penis itching is not a life-threatening situation, and isn’t always an emergency so relax and make sure to focus on identifying the actual symptoms. Avoid automatically assuming the worst.
However, an itchy penis and inflammation of the penis need to be properly handled. It could expand to the region around the genital, raising the possibility of a serious infection.
Additionally, scratching the sensitive genital skin repeatedly might harm it. Only when it goes untreated does it become a problem.
As a result, it is critical to seek treatment and exercise caution because it can spread to other people. However, certain natural remedies could be able to help an itchy penis. The home remedies consist of the following:
1. Apply Coconut Oil
Virgin coconut oil has anti-inflammatory properties, and is able to pass the skin barrier function while it enhances skin hydration.
Soothing different kinds of skin irritations or inflammation is made possible by this.
Virgin coconut oil can help soothe itchy skin and reduce inflammation by being applied to the affected area.
2. Bathe in Warm Water
One of the finest home treatments for penis itch is to simply bathe in warm water. It may sound dumb, but poor hygiene can result in many problems like a yeast infection, not just in the genital area.
The water’s temperature must be handled with extreme caution. Because extreme heat might exacerbate the skin issue, it must not be too hot.
Apply an ointment to the injured region after you’ve had a bath.
The National Eczema Association explicitly advocates doing this three minutes after exiting the bath.
3. Apply Aloe Vera Gel
A thorough investigation into the nutritional and metabolic effects of aloe vera reveals that it naturally has the capacity to soothe inflamed skin with a cooling. The skin can also be repaired by it.
4. Apply Alcohol to affected area
Apply alcohol-soaked cotton wool all over the afflicted region after soaking it in alcohol.
This is due to alcohol’s inherent antibacterial properties. Alcohol has antimicrobial properties that can kill specific bacteria.
Alcohol can occasionally be used to sanitize.
5. Apply Diluted Apple Cider Vinegar
Records indicate that administering apple cider vinegar to the afflicted regions is effective.
Although it has a drawback, dilute apple cider vinegar works wonders for penile itch.
6. Bathe in Salt Solution
Inflamed and irritated skin can be soothed by taking a saltwater bath. Additionally, taking a saltwater bath helps skin and lowers inflammation.
According to one investigation, bathing in Dead Sea salt solutions is a useful way to treat skin irritations.
Saltwater baths help to lessen roughness and redness on the skin.
7. Cold Compression
The cold compression treatment helps relieve scabies and contact dermatitis-related penile discomfort. It has been used for a long time. Additionally, it could treat lichen nitidus and balanitis-related ulcers and irritation. This is made feasible by the ice’s cooling impact.
Apply a cold, wet, and soft fabric to your penis and the region around it to achieve this. Perform this for 5 to 10 minutes. A towel-wrapped ice pack can also be used.
8. Colloidal Oatmeal
Use this method by preparing a bath by soaking ground oatmeal in warm water. Males with a latex allergy will no longer face the problems of the allergy like dry skin, and itching in the intimate area. Oatmeal has anti-inflammatory qualities that benefit the cause.
9. Baking Soda
The itching in the penis tip can be treated with baking soda to aid with penile yeast infection (candidiasis). Make a paste by combining baking soda and water. Apply this paste to your genital region, then rinse it off after a short while.
10. Abstain from sexual activities
According to a study, there is a comparatively increased risk of infection during sexual activity.
Continuous sexual activity can lead to more irritation, the spread of infections, and contact with them.
The best course of action is to refrain from all sexual activity, especially when you start to experience severe itching.
Summary
In very extreme cases, penis itch may be quite painful and unpleasant. We reviewed the common symptoms and causes of an itchy penis. Avoid penis itching and pubic itching to prevent penis irritation.
We’ve covered a few efficient home treatments for penile itchiness in this post to assist you stop scratching and feel better. Most significantly, it is frequently necessary to exercise caution while choosing a course of treatment.
This must be done in order to prevent the irritation from getting worse.
Relief will begin to set in once the significant preventative measures and therapeutic techniques have been considered.
See a doctor if your skin condition related symptoms persist or you have constant itching for more than 1 to 2 weeks so they can prescribe the appropriate treatment. Common medical treatments when you see a doctor include, antifungal medication sometimes topical steroids like hydrocortisone.
They might ask you to stop your current shaving habits and to avoid direct contact to see if atopic dry skin infections or skin conditions are the culprit. Also, when you see a doctor, they might ask questions to see if you have poor hygiene and they’ll probably check for pubic lice.
To reduce penis itching, penis redness, or a burning sensation on the head of the penis, try the natural home remedies we mentioned in this article!
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