PENIS SYMPTOMS
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
- Priapism
- 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)
Priapism
- Definition: Priapism is defined as an erection that lasts longer than 4 hours.
- Symptoms: Prolonged, unwanted, usually painful erection.
- Causes: Sickle cell anemia and certain medications.
- Treatment: Erections lasting longer than 4 hours may require specialized treatment in an emergency department.
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 (pain) with urination
- Unable to urinate for more than 4 hours, and 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
- 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.)
- Cleansing: Wash the area once thoroughly with unscented soap and water to remove any irritants.
- 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.
- 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.
REFERENCES
- Burgher SW. Acute scrotal pain. Emerg Med Clin North Am. 1998;16(4):781-809, vi.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Sexually transmitted diseases treatment guidelines 2006. MMWR Recomm Rep. 2006;55(RR-11):1-94.
- English JC 3rd. Dermatoses of the glans penis and prepuce. J Am Acad Dermatol.1997;37(1):1-24.
- Fazio L, Brock G. Erectile dysfunction: management update. CMAJ.2004; 170(9): 1429-37.
- Gresser U. Erectile dysfunction: comparison of efficacy and side effects of the PDE-5 inhibitors sildenafil, vardenafil and tadalafil--review of the literature. Eur J Med Res. 2002; 7(10): 435-46.
- Kodner C. Sexually transmitted infections in men. Prim Care. 2003; 30(1): 173-91.
- Montague DK, Jarow J, Broderick GA, Dmochowski RR, Heaton JP, Lue TF, Nehra A, Sharlip ID. Members of guideline update panel. American Urological Association guideline on the management of priapism. J Urol. 2003 Oct;170(4 Pt 1):1318-24.
- Montorsi F, et.al. Frequently asked questions about tadalafil for treating men with erectile dysfunction. J Men's Health Gend. 2005; 2(1); 141-157.
- Roberts RG. Evaluation of dysuria in men. Am Fam Physician. 1999;60(3):86-72.
- Rogers ZR. Priapism in sickle cell disease. Hematol Oncol Clin North Am. 2005; 19(5): 917-28, viii.
- Rupke SJ. Fungal skin disorders. Prim Care. 2000;27(2):407-21.
Disclaimer: This information is not intended be a substitute for professional medical advice. It is provided for educational purposes only. You assume full responsibility for how you choose to use this information.