A wound on the penis can appear due to a bruise caused by friction with very tight clothing, during sexual intercourse or due to poor hygiene, for example. It can also be caused by an allergy to clothing or hygiene products, by dermatitis, but it is also possible to arise due to infections, such as syphilis or genital herpes, or even due to penile cancer.
As there are varied causes, if a wound or fissure appears on the penis, it is necessary to see a urologist to assess the characteristics of the injury and request tests, when necessary. Treatment will depend on the cause, and may include healing ointments, antibiotics, antifungals, antivirals, among others. If the wound is due to a sexually transmitted infection (STI), it is important that the partner is also treated.
In addition to the wound, the man may also notice changes in the penis, which may correspond to genital warts, caused by HPV, for example. See how to differentiate between the causes of a lump on the penis.
What could be your penis sore?
To find out the possible cause of your penis wound, please answer the following questions:
This tool should only be used to try to identify the possible cause of the wound on the penis, and should not replace consultation with the doctor, who is the professional responsible for confirming the diagnosis and indicating the most appropriate treatment.
Main causes
The main causes of penile wounds are:
1. Friction on the glans
The wound on the glans, also known as the head of the penis, can occur due to friction that occurs during vaginal, anal or oral sexual intercourse, and can also be due to the penis rubbing against clothing, for example, resulting in local redness, pain and bleeding, in some cases requiring immediate treatment.
What to do: In the presence of a wound on the head of the penis or a fissure in the penis possibly related to friction, it is recommended that a doctor be consulted so that an assessment can be carried out and the most appropriate treatment to heal the wound can be initiated.
Don’t ignore your symptoms!
2. Skin irritation
Some people may be sensitive to the fabric of clothing, soap or hygiene products, for example, which can cause areas of redness, peeling wounds, ulceration or fissures on the penis, accompanied by itching and burning.
Skin irritation can be caused by friction with certain clothing or during intimate relations. It can also arise due to poor hygiene in the region, which causes the accumulation of sweat, oil and microorganisms on the skin, which can cause 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-allergy medication in the form of an ointment or tablet, such as hydroxyzine, to alleviate symptoms or creams that help facilitate healing, such as Nebacetin or Bepantol, for example. Balanitis is treated with corticosteroid, antifungal or antibiotic ointments. When treated correctly, the wound can heal in about a week.
3. Herpes genital
Genital herpes is one of the most common causes of sores on the penis and is caused by the virus herpes simplexwhich can be acquired through contact with another person with active lesions, resulting in the appearance of redness and small blisters, accompanied by pain and burning at the site.
What to do: the treatment of genital herpes is guided by a doctor, and includes the use of antiviral medications such as acyclovir, famciclovir and others, in tablets or ointments, which help to reduce the replication of the virus, as well as local anesthetic ointments or gels, such as lidocaine, to reduce uncomfortable symptoms, such as pain and burning. See how to identify and treat genital herpes.
4. Syphilis
Syphilis is an infection caused by bacteria Treponema pale, and causes the appearance of a painless ulcer approximately 3 weeks after infection through condomless sex with a partner infected with the virus. 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 a general practitioner or urologist to assess the signs and symptoms and recommend the most appropriate treatment. Find out how syphilis happens and how to treat it.
5. Other infections
Other sexually transmitted infections also associated with penile wounds include lymphogranuloma venereum, donovanosis or HPV, for example.
Penile lesions can also appear internally, as in urethritis, which causes pain and yellowish or lighter discharge, and can be caused by bacteria, such as Neisseria gonorrhoeaewhich causes gonorrhea.
What to do: after the diagnosis has been made, it is recommended to undergo treatment with medications recommended by the doctor, which include antibiotics or, in the case of HPV, cauterization of the lesions.
6. Autoimmune diseases
Some autoimmune diseases can also favor the appearance of wounds on the skin and in the genital region, especially on the penis, such as Behçet’s disease, pemphigus, lichen, Crohn’s disease, Reiter’s disease, erythema multiforme or dermatitis herpetiformis, for example .
These diseases are usually accompanied by lesions 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 carried out by a rheumatologist or dermatologist, with medications that help regulate immunity, such as corticosteroids or immunosuppressants, for example, which also promotes improvement in symptoms.
7. Cancer
Penile cancer is a rare type of tumor that can appear in the organ or just in the skin that covers it, causing the appearance of wounds, nodules or changes in the color and/or texture of the skin.
This type of cancer is more common in people over 60 years of age, but it can also occur in young people, especially in men who do not practice good intimate area hygiene or smokers.
What to do: Penile cancer treatment is recommended by an oncologist and urologist, and includes the use of medication, surgery to remove as much of the affected tissue as possible, as well as chemotherapy or radiotherapy, depending on the severity and degree of the lesion. See how to identify and treat penile cancer.
