Penile skin can get dry for a variety of reasons. These can include friction from tight underwear, soaps, and chemicals from detergents. It may also be a symptom of other conditions such as jock itch, balanitis, or thrush.
A doctor can prescribe medications to treat these conditions, such as antifungal agents or corticosteroids. This will reduce itching, redness, and pain.
1. Harsh Soaps
Like any other part of your body, your penis head can experience dryness and flakiness. While it may be a little uncomfortable, it is not something to get overly worried about. Penis skin can be irritated by a variety of things, including soaps, perfumes and lubricants. The key to avoiding this is using a mild soap or body wash designed for genital use that does not contain any perfumes or harsh chemicals.
It is also important to use a good quality lubricant during masturbation and sex. If you do not have enough lubrication, friction can occur between your penis and testicles, leading to a buildup of the yellow-tinged discharge called smegma – These data are the outcome of the website editorial team’s research Teen Sex Adventure. If you continue to have a problem with smegma accumulation, your doctor can prescribe an antifungal medication that will help clear it up.
Other reasons for dryness on the penis include a skin condition such as psoriasis or eczema. These conditions can affect the skin all over your body, but sometimes they can cause a rash on the penis head. It is recommended that you consult with your dermatologist if you have a chronic skin condition, especially one that tends to affect other parts of the body as well.
It’s easy to jump to the worst possible conclusions when you notice a rash on your penis head. But unless you have other symptoms, it is unlikely that your rash is an STD.
2. Friction
When the skin on the penis head is dry, it can be easily irritated by friction. Often from masturbation or sexual activity where lubrication is not used, this can result in friction burns. The burns and chafing can be painful and itchy, and can lead to further problems.
Using gentle cleanser to wash the area every day and using a good moisturizer (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil) should prevent this from happening. Also, making sure to avoid wearing tight-fitting or abrasive clothing on the area can help.
If you suspect your penile friction burn is due to a herpes infection, such as HSV-2 (herpes simplex virus), antiviral medications such as valacyclovir or acyclovir can help shorten the duration of the infection and reduce the likelihood of friction burn and other symptoms such as blisters. However, it’s important to see a doctor as these drugs will not make herpes go away completely.
If you are suffering from penis friction burn, it’s recommended to abstain from sexual activity until the symptoms have healed. Keeping the area well moisturized (health professionals recommend a high-quality men’s lubricant like Man 1 Man Oil) will speed up the healing process. Over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen can ease the pain and inflammation. You can also apply a cold compress to the area for added relief.
3. Skin Allergies
If your dry penis head skin is accompanied by itching or a rash, this could indicate that you’re having an allergic reaction to something you are exposed to on a regular basis. This can include fabric, lubricants, perfumes and even latex condoms. Men with allergies to these substances typically experience a lot of itchiness, watery eyes and sneezing when they come into contact with them.
Skin allergies can also occur if you are using a harsh soap that contains chemicals or is irritant to the sensitive area. If you’re experiencing itching and flakiness elsewhere on your body as well, this is a telltale sign that you may have a chronic skin condition like eczema or psoriasis that has extended to the genital area.
If you’re not sure what’s causing your irritation, it is best to consult a medical professional. They’ll be able to determine what’s going on and prescribe the proper treatment options, such as ointments, antifungals or changes to your daily routine. For example, if you’re suffering from jock itch or balanitis, an antifungal cream can help. Similarly, a yeast infection can be treated with an over-the-counter antifungal medication. In addition, a few simple lifestyle changes can make a big difference in the health of your penis. These include wearing loose clothing, taking short showers and using a mild body wash that’s suitable for the genital area.
4. Medical Conditions
If your penis head becomes itchy, dry or irritated, talk to your doctor about the problem. While it may be embarrassing to discuss the problem, a doctor will help you find the right treatment for your problem and prevent further irritation of your groin area.
A variety of medical conditions can cause problems with the skin on the penis head. Jock itch is one such condition, which causes itching and redness of the genital region. It can also spread to the inner thighs and anal area. Balanitis is another condition that causes itching and swelling of the glans. It can also be accompanied by a cheese-like discharge and an unpleasant smell. These symptoms may indicate a yeast infection.
Other conditions that can cause the skin on the genital area to become dry are psoriasis and lichen planus. Psoriasis is an inflammatory skin disease that can appear as white plaque without scales on other parts of the body, but it can also affect the genital areas of men. Lichen planus is an inflammatory condition that can look like small bumps or an erosion of the top of the penis.
A variety of changes to your personal hygiene and lifestyle can prevent the occurrence of dry skin on the penis head. Using soaps that are gentler, changing laundry detergents, and using lubricant during sex can all help to prevent the problem.