Penis Symptoms

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DEFINITION

• Penis symptoms include rash, pain, discharge, itching and swelling.
• Not due to a known injury

General Information

Here are some common causes of penis symptoms:

• Bladder infection (cystitis)
• Contact dermatitis (e.g. latex condoms, lubricants, spermicides, perfumed soaps)
• Irritation (small friction burns) after sexual intercourse or masturbation (inadequate lubrication)
• Poison ivy, oak, or sumac rash
• Skin cancer
• STD's (e.g., Herpes simplex, Syphilis, Chancroid, LGV, pubic lice, genital warts)
• Trauma
• Any preexisting skin disorders/rashes can also occur on the penis and scrotum (e.g., psoriasis, eczema, drug rashes)

See More Appropriate Topic (instead of this one) If

• Itchy rash on inner thigh and JOCK ITCH is suspected
• PUBIC LICE
• POISON IVY, OAK, OR SUMAC suspected as cause
• URINATION PAIN, MALE

WHEN TO CALL YOUR DOCTOR

Call Your Doctor Now (night or day) If

• You feel weak or very sick
• Large amount of blood from end of penis
• Not circumcised, and foreskin pulled back and became stuck around head of penis
• Fever and looks infected (e.g., draining sore, ulcer, rash is painful to touch)
• Fever and burning or pain with urination
• Unable to urinate and your bladder feels very full
• Painful erection lasting more than 1 hour

Call Your Doctor Within 24 Hours (between 9am and 4pm) If

• You think you need to be seen
• Burning (pain) with urination
• Pus (white, yellow) or bloody discharge from end of penis
• Blood in urine
• Looks infected (e.g., draining sore, ulcer, rash is painful to touch)
• Rash with painful tiny water blisters
• Swollen foreskin (not circumcised)

Call Your Doctor During Weekday Office Hours If

• You have other questions or concerns
• You are worried you might have a sexually transmitted disease
• Blood in semen
• Painless rash (e.g., redness, tiny bumps, sore) that has been present more than 24 hours
• Antibiotic treatment longer than 3 days for STD (e.g., penile discharge from gonorrhea, chlamydia) and painful urination is not improving
• All other penis symptoms (exception: painless rash present less than 24 hours, mild itchiness)

Self Care at Home If

• Painless rash (e.g., redness, tiny bumps, sore) that has been present less than 24 hours, and you don't think you need to be seen
• Mild itchiness and no rash, and you don't think you need to be seen

HOME CARE ADVICE FOR PENIS SYMPTOMS

1. Causes of Mild Rash:
   • Irritation from a chemical product: perfumed soaps, latex condoms
   • Irritation from a plant (e.g., poison ivy), chemicals (e.g., insecticides), fiberglass, detergents.
   • Early finding of sexually transmitted disease (STD)
   • Small friction burns can occur from intercourse (if inadequate lubrication.)
2. Cleansing: Wash the area once thoroughly with unscented soap and water to remove any irritants.
3. Genital Hygiene:
   • Keep your penis and scrotal area clean. Wash once daily with un-scented soap and water
   • Keep your penis and scrotal area dry. Wear cotton underwear.
4. Call Your Doctor If:
   • Rash spreads or becomes worse
   • Rash lasts more than one day
   • Fever occurs
   • You become worse

And remember, contact your doctor if you develop any of the "Call Your Doctor" symptoms.

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