7 causes of the itchy penis and how to treat

7 causes of the itchy penis and how to treat

Itching in the penis is a symptom that occurs when an inflammation of the head of the penis, scientifically called balanitis, arises.

This inflammation, in most cases, is caused by an allergy to the penis or lack of hygiene of the intimate region, however, it can also be a sign of more serious problems such as fungal infections, problems of the skin or sexually transmitted diseases.

So when the itching lasts more than 1 week or does not improve with good hygiene of the intimate region it is important to consult a urologist to identify the problem and start the appropriate treatment. Some of the most common causes of itching include:

1. Allergy

Allergy is one of the most common and least serious causes of itching in the penis, which can arise from direct contact with some types of soap, preservative or even some garment, especially if it is made of synthetic fabric instead of cotton.

How to treat: It is important to try to identify what is causing the allergy to avoid contact with that substance. So it is important to always try to use cotton clothes and use own soaps for the intimate region. In addition to this, if there are suspicions of latex allergy, the use of condoms with that material should be avoided.

2. Poor hygiene

The lack of hygiene favors the accumulation of dirt below the skin of the glans and, therefore, there is an increased risk of the exaggerated development of bacteria, fungi and other microorganisms that cause inflammation of the penis, resulting in itching in the region

This type of problem is more common in uncircumcised men, but it can happen in any case.

How to treat: it is important to wash the intimate region, at least once a day as it is a part of the body that perspires a lot during the day and accumulates many dead skin cells. To properly wash this area, it is recommended to retract the foreskin to remove dirt that may accumulate.

3. Candidiasis

Although it is more frequent in women, candidiasis is also one of the main causes of itching in the intimate region of man and occurs due to the excessive accumulation of the fungus Candida albicans in the glans.

This fungal growth is almost always caused by the lack of proper hygiene of the penis but it can also be a sign of diabetes or autoimmune diseases such as in the case of HIV infection. More information on the causes of candidiasis in man.

How to treat: Most of the time the treatment is performed with the application of an antifungal ointment such as Miconazole or Clotrimazole, about 7 days. However, it may also be recommended to make some dietary changes such as reducing the amount of sugar and carbohydrates. See more information about the treatment of this problem.

4. Psoriasis

Men who suffer from psoriasis somewhere in the body are at high risk of having psoriasis in the penis. However, this problem does not always manifest itself with a red spot on the penis, it can hardly affect the glans glands, which causes an intense sensation of itching and small balls on the head of the penis.

How to treat: Ideally, keep the region always well washed to avoid skin irritation, giving preference to cold water. In addition to this, home remedies, such as applying a wet compress of cold chamomile tea, can also relieve symptoms.

5. Pubic lice

Pubic lice, also known as crabs, cause irritation of the skin of the intimate region resulting in a constant and intense itching sensation in the penis. Pubic lice can be transmitted by intimate contact or by sharing towels, sheets, underwear or other objects that come into direct contact with the intimate region.

How to treat: The best way to eliminate pubic lice is to shave or shave pubic hair, since the lice cling to the hairs and not the skin. However, there is also the option to perform a treatment with sprays and lotions of their own, such as Malathion or Permethrin cream, which can be prescribed by the dermatologist. Learn more details about the treatment of pubic lice.

6. HPV

One of the most common symptoms of HPV is the appearance of warts in the intimate region, however, in man, these warts are rarer, so more general symptoms such as itching or redness of the penis may appear.

HPV is transmitted through unprotected intimate contact, but its symptoms may not manifest itself, disappearing without treatment. However, in some cases, genital warts may arise that may take several months to 2 years to manifest and, therefore, many men may not know that they are infected.

How to treat: There is no specific treatment to cure HPV, since the body needs to eliminate the virus alone, which may take a few years. However, to relieve symptoms, the urologist may advise the use of some ointments such as podophyllin, which should be applied for 1 week. See all about the transmission and treatment of HPV.

7. Chlamydia

Although almost all sexually transmitted diseases can cause itching and a feeling of discomfort in the penis, chlamydia is the one that most often shows itching as an early sign, not accompanied by any other symptoms.

In this way, men who have unprotected sex should constantly perform tests to identify if they are infected with an STD and start treatment.

How to treat: you should take an antibiotic prescribed by the urologist, usually Azithromycin or Doxycycline, for 7 days.