The one thing that worries me the most is that no one talks about male sexual diseases. Be it a simple case of flaky pubes to the most serious cases of herpes, there isn’t much of an awareness when it comes to male sex health or even male sexual hygiene.
This hush-hush nature makes it incredibly difficult to not only diagnose the diseases but to also find a suitable cure for the same. Men seldom think it’s not masculine to talk about such seemingly minor inconveniences; little do they know how grave the consequences can be.
In this article, we’ll address one of the most common yet the most overlooked conditions related to sexual hygiene; dry skin on penis. We’ll take you through the symptoms so that you can understand how to self-diagnose on the early days and also some causes and natural remedies. So buckle up and get ready for an informative yet not-so-boring read!
Table of Contents
I’m young. Should I be looking out for dry skin on penis?
Definitely. Irrespective of your age and underlying health conditions there can be multiple reasons to have dry penis skin. This can be as simple as poor hygiene to as slightly complicated reasons of strong soap or allergies.
What are the symptoms of dry penis skin?
Some of the most common symptoms for dry penis skin are as follows:
- Itchy sensation in pubes
- Flaky skin deposits in undies
- Redness after bathing
- Burning sensation on application of soap
- Unusual hairfall of pubic hair
What are the common causes for dry skin in pubes or penis?
As I said earlier, there can be innumerable reasons for dry skin in the pubic regions. Some of the most common ones are as follows:
- Yeast infection
You might be a bit shocked to know that penises too are a victim of yeast infections. Most common indicator for this is the presence of whitish or yellowish discharge around the folds of the foreskin and glans.
If you observe such discharge, nothing to worry. Just consult a physician who’d provide you with some over-the-counter antifungal cream and you’d be all healthy within a week.
Needless to say, you should abstain from any unprotected sexual activity with a partner while you’ observe the symptoms and also while you’re on the treatment. - Balanitis
About 3-11% of men worldwide get diagnosed with balanitis at some point in their lives. This is the just a case of inflammation of the head of the penis which could be due to viral, bacterial or yeast infection. - Eczema
One of the most common skin infections to have troubled both sexes, eczema is medically known as atopic dermatitis. In most cases, it usually starts off as dry, flaky skin in certain parts of the groin and then extends to pubes and then the penis.
As a bonus tip, DON’T scratch your affected regions. Eczema is notorious for spreading through scratching. Try to curb your urges and apply the medical ointments for faster recovery. - Genital psoriasis
Now this is a slightly serious condition of an auto-immune disorder where the body produces skin cells rapidly. The amount of skin which is supposed to be produced in a week in a normal male is produced in a day or two in a diseased individual.
This leads to the formation of thick, red, inflamed patches on the skin, including on the penis. Once again, nothing to worry, there are many treatments available right from injections to ointments to consumables.
- Tight or rough material of underwear
More often than not, the clothing material is responsible for chafing the skin more than any micro-organisms. For instance, the rough fabric of denim trousers and continuous usage of very tight underwear can damage the soft skin adversely.
The solution? Just shift to natural fibres such as cotton and wear comfortable fits of underwears instead of super-tight ones. - Soaps and detergents
If you see this change right after a change in your soap or detergent, you know who to suspect. Many times the soap is way too alkaline for the skin and thus ends up drying the skin profusely. Similarly, leftover detergent residues on clothes can also cause a mild reaction with the skin and lead to dryness and flaky skin. - Dry sexual encounters or masturbation practices
If you’re one of those hunks who enjoy a dry pussy over a wet one, I have bad news for you. Dry sessions even though is pleasurable to many due to the friction it generates, is extremely harmful to the skin of both the parties involves. Not only can it cause micro tears in the vagina/anal cavity but can also end up tearing the skin of the penis, if not flaking it.
Continuous friction leads to soreness and swelling of the skin in extreme cases. - Lubes and lotions
If you’re using any new cream or lube for sex and suddenly observe a change in your skin texture, you know who is to blame. Lubes today come with so many features and exhibits ranging from a huge collection of flavours, colors, as well as stimulating, warming, and cooling effects. And mind you, each of those additives could bear a chemical which might be an irritant to your skin.
You might experience itching, burning, dryness, or swelling using these products.
So, what can you do if you experience the symptoms or you think you have this condition?
First of all, go and book an appointment with your physician without any delay!
Second, read below for a few tips which you should keep in mind:
- Switch to gentle, fragrance- and dye- free laundry detergents
- When you shower or bathe, avoid harsh soaps and use a gentle soap or cleanser that contains an emollient (moisturizer)
- Shower or bathe in luke-warm water, not hot (that’s more drying)
- Keep the area clean and moisturized
- Avoid wearing sweaty clothes for prolonged periods
The final word?
Take precautions, stay clean and hygienic. Dry penis skin is an easily treatable condition but if you see it’s not going away so easily, you must consult a doctor.
Furthermore, you should also see a healthcare provider if you notice a bump on your penis after unprotected sexual contact even with a known partner. Or let’s say, if you have pain during sex, burning during urination, pain during an erection, itchy or painful blisters around the head of the penis or you see some unnatural discharge in your penis folds.
Lastly, don’t shy away from discussing this with a professional or even with your own partner. It could be immensely helpful to get it treated at an earlier stage than to wait and see it getting out of hand!
