Causes of sore on the penis and what to do

A wound on the penis can arise due to an injury caused by friction with very tight clothing, during intercourse or due to poor hygiene, for example. It can also be caused by allergies to clothing or hygiene products, by dermatitis, but it is also possible that it arises due to infections, such as syphilis or genital herpes, or even due to cancer of the penis.

As there are varied causes, if a wound on the penis arises, it is necessary to seek the general practitioner or urologist, who will be able to assess the characteristics of the lesion and request tests. Treatment will depend on the cause, and may include healing ointments, antibiotics, antifungals, antivirals or chemotherapy, for example. In some STD cases, the partner may also need treatment.

In addition to the wound, the man may also notice a lump or lump on the penis, which may be due to hormonal changes or due to genital warts, caused by HPV, for example. Also know how to differentiate between the causes of lump in the penis.

1. Skin irritation

Some people may have sensitivity to the fabric of clothes, soap or hygiene products, for example, which can cause areas of redness, flaking or ulceration on the skin, accompanied by itching and burning.

A skin irritation can be caused by friction with certain clothes or during intimate relationships. It can also arise from poor hygiene in the region, which causes the accumulation of sweat, oil and micro-organisms on the skin, which can cause an inflammation known as balanitis. Learn how to identify and treat balanitis.

• What to do: it is necessary to identify and avoid contact with the allergen. In the case of an allergy, it is possible to use anti-allergic medication in ointment or tablet, such as hydroxyzine, to relieve symptoms or creams that help facilitate healing, such as Nebacetin or Bepantol, for example. Balanitis is treated with corticoid, antifungal or antibiotic ointments. When treated correctly, the wound can heal in about a week.

2. Genital herpes

Sexually transmitted infections are important causes of injury to the penis, and genital herpes is one of the most common. This infection is caused by the herpes simplex virus, acquired by contact with another person with active lesions, and causes redness and small blisters to appear, accompanied by pain and burning in the area.

• What to do: The treatment of genital herpes is guided by the doctor, and includes the use of antiviral drugs such as Acyclovir or Valacyclovir in pills or ointments, which help to decrease the replication of the virus, in addition to local anesthetic ointments or gels, such as Lidocaine, to reduce uncomfortable symptoms such as pain and burning. Learn more about how to identify and treat this infection.

3. Syphilis

It is an infection caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum , and causes a painless ulcer to appear about 3 weeks after being infected by a condomless relationship with a partner infected by the virus. The lack of treatment can cause the disease to progress to more advanced stages, such as secondary or tertiary syphilis.

• What to do: It is important to go to the general practitioner or urologist, to assess the signs and symptoms and indicate the most appropriate treatment. Find out how it happens and how to treat syphilis.

4. Other infections

Other STDs also associated with sores on the penis include venereal lymphogranuloma, donovanosis or HPV, for example. Penile lesions can also appear internally, as in urethritis, which causes pain and yellow discharge, and can be caused by bacteria such as gonorrhea.

• What to do: After making the diagnosis, it is recommended to take the treatment with medications recommended by the doctor, which include antibiotics or, in the case of HPV, cauterization of the lesions.

5. Autoimmune diseases

There are several diseases related to immunity that can cause sores on the skin and genital region, and some of the most common are Behçet's disease, pemphigus, lichen, Cröhn's disease, Reiter's disease, erythema multiforme or dermatitis herpetiformis, for example. These diseases are usually accompanied by injuries in other parts of the body and systemic symptoms, such as fever, tiredness or weight loss.

• What to do: The investigation and treatment of these diseases are done by the rheumatologist or dermatologist, with drugs that help regulate immunity, such as corticosteroids or immunosuppressants, for example.

6. Cancer

Penile cancer is a rare type of tumor that can appear on the organ or only on the skin that covers it, causing the appearance of wounds, nodules or changes in the color and texture of the skin, as well as secretion and hemorrhage. It is more frequent in the elderly over 60 years, but it can also happen in young people, especially in men who do not have good hygiene of the intimate area or smokers.

• What to do: The treatment of cancer of the penis is indicated by the oncologist and urologist, and includes biological therapy, surgery to remove as much of the affected tissue, as well as chemotherapy or radiotherapy, depending on the severity and degree of the lesion. Understand more about how to identify and treat penis cancer.