What is penis irritation?

Penis irritation may occur on the glans (head) of the penis, the foreskin, or elsewhere. All males may experience penis irritation, regardless of age.

Penis irritation may refer to:

• itchiness (pruritus)
• redness or swelling (inflammation)
• pain or discomfort
• other symptoms in, on or around your penis

Penis irritation can be caused by a range of medical conditions, such as:

• a fungal infection
• dermatitis (eczema)
• psoriasis
• or certain sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

Irritation can also occur after certain activities like sexual intercourse. Identifying the cause of discomfort is the first step towards finding the right treatment.

What are the symptoms of penis irritation?

Depending on the cause, symptoms of penis irritation may include:

• redness, itching, discomfort, flaking of skin, swelling or soreness on the head of the penis
• redness or swelling on the foreskin
• discharge from the penis
• pain when urinating (for example, with phimosis, a condition where your foreskin is too tight)

What causes penis irritation?

Penis irritation can be due to either medical or non-medical causes. Your doctor can help you to work out the exact cause and can suggest an appropriate treatment.

Balanitis

Balanitis is a term to describe inflammation of the head of the penis. It's a very common cause of penis irritation and can affect males at any age. Balanitis can be caused by bacterial or fungal infections, chemicals, viruses or allergies. It can also occur when the inside of your foreskin isn't kept clean. If you've been diagnosed with balanitis before but it keeps coming back, ask your doctor to test for any underlying conditions that may be causing it, such as diabetes.

Yeast infection (candidiasis)

The area under the foreskin of the penis is warm and moist, which provides conditions that help organisms grow. Candida albicans is a common fungus that is normally present under the foreskin — but too much of it can cause penis irritation. Yeast infections like candidiasis are more likely to occur if you have a foreskin (if you are a male who hasn't been circumcised).

Non-infectious skin conditions

Penis irritation can sometimes be due to psoriasis. This is a condition that causes red scaly skin to appear anywhere on the body, including the groin area. A persistent rash may be a sign of psoriasis. Other non-infectious conditions that may cause penis irritation include eczema and lichen sclerosus (a rare immune-related disease).

Urinary tract infection (UTI)

Most UTIs are caused by bacteria that spread from the digestive system into the urinary tract. Once inside, the bacteria can multiply and may cause irritation and inflammation.

Sexually transmitted infections (STI)

If you're sexually active, penis irritation could be a sign of an STI such as genital herpes, syphilis, chlamydia or gonorrhoea. If you suspect a possible STI, avoid sexual contact and see a doctor to find out the exact cause of your penis irritation. Tell any sexual partners so they can also be examined and treated, if necessary.

Other causes

Penis irritation can also be caused by:

• friction from sexual activity
• a skin reaction to latex in condoms
• household products such as in soaps, c
• a 'drug eruption' where medicine you're taking causes ulcers to appear on the penis
• allergies to certain medicines or substances

In children, possible causes of penis irritation include:

• too much contact with wet or soiled (pee) nappies
• nappy rash in infants
• residue from soap
• physical trauma from forcibly retracting their foreskin

When should I see my doctor?

If your penis is sore, red, or swollen, see your doctor to rule out potentially serious causes, and avoid complications.

How is penis irritation treated?

Treatment for penis irritation varies depending on the underlying cause.

Care at home

Here are some ideas for treatment at home.

For adults:

• Soak and wash the affected areas of the penis, including inside your foreskin, with warm water.
• After washing and going to the toilet, clean and dry the head of your penis.
• Washing with salt water may help to soothe any itching or discomfort.
• Pain relievers can also help with soreness and discomfort.

For children:

• Use barrier cream for any irritation due to nappy rash.
• When cleaning, don't forcibly retract the foreskin, as this may cause other problems such as paraphimosis (when the foreskin is retracted and can't be moved back to its usual position).

See your doctor if the penis irritation doesn't resolve, or if you're concerned about what may be causing it.

Medicines

A fungal infection such as candidiasis will usually respond quickly to antifungal cream. This can sometimes be combined with a mild cortisone cream or ointment and is available with a doctor's prescription.

If your doctor suspects an allergic reaction, you may need further tests to find the exact cause. Other causes of penis irritation may need specific treatment from your doctor.

Can I prevent penis irritation?

Penis irritation may be a cue to reconsider some of your daily habits. In most cases, it's possible to prevent irritation. Here are some ideas.

Cleaning

Practice good genital hygiene by washing regularly, while also being careful to avoid over-washing. You can do this when you shower by:

• carefully pulling back the foreskin
• cleaning the foreskin and head of the penis with warm water and soap free wash
• drying the area with air, a fan or gentle heat (avoid rubbing)

Try to avoid soap or shower gel (you could try soap free options — ask your pharmacist for a recommendation). Washing after sex also helps to decrease the chance of penis irritation.

For children

Nappy rash can cause redness and pain in your child's penis. You can prevent irritation if you:

• change wet or dirty nappies promptly
• give your child some 'nappy-free' time (fresh air helps prevent nappy rash)
• soak skin in a warm bath and dry thoroughly afterwards
• apply barrier or nappy rash cream after each change, including on the tip of the penis
• avoid the use of nappy wipes on the penis — use wet tissues or clean soft cloths instead

Other preventive measures

• Wash your hands before and after using the toilet.
• If you're sexually active, try hypoallergenic condoms designed for people with sensitive skin.
• Avoid any products you know cause skin irritation.
• Getting the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination before being sexually active can help reduce the likelihood of certain types of genital disease and help prevent penile cancer later in life.

Are there complications of penis irritation?

Most cases of penis irritation can be resolved with good hygiene and avoiding anything that may irritate genital skin. However, there are a few possible complications to watch out for.

Sexually transmitted infections

Penis irritation — particularly a rash or discharge — may be a sign of an STI. Tell any sexual partners so they can also be examined and treated if necessary. It's best to avoid any sexual contact with others until you have seen a doctor and the infection has cleared.

Diabetes

If you have a problem with recurring penis irritation, ask your doctor about a test for diabetes. Balanitis can be a sign of increased sugar in your urine, which may be encouraging bacterial or fungal growth under your foreskin.

Penile cancer

In very rare cases, a persistent ulcer or a slowly growing lump on the head of the penis could be an early sign of penile cancer. Your doctor or a specialist dermatologist can check whether the irritation is a sign of something more serious.

Resources and support

For more information and support, try these resources:

• Healthy Male offers readable guides to foreskin pain and other men's health issues.
• The Kids Health Info app has fact sheets about penis and foreskin care and a range of other topics provided by the Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne.
• Melbourne's Sexual Health Centre has a fact sheet on balanitis and how it is treated.

Call healthdirect on 1800 022 222 at any time to speak to a registered nurse (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria) for more information and advice.

If your child has penis irritation, call Pregnancy, Birth and Baby to speak to a maternal child health nurse on 1800 882 436 or video call. Available from 7 am to midnight (AET), 7 days a week (including public holidays).

Other languages

Do you prefer to read languages other than English?

• The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne has a fact sheet on penis and foreskin care translated into several languages.