Eczema on Penis: Causes
Eczema on Penis
Is it eczema or something else entirely?
Could it be a sexually transmitted infection?
What's worse than a burning ache that you can't seem to scratch? You have an itch that you know you could scratch, but it's on your penis, and you're at work, and you're afraid you'll get fired if you do. (Unless you're a professional baseball player, in which case it appears that it's encouraged.)
As a result, skin irritations on the penis pose risks that other skin types do not, which is one reason it can feel especially essential to identify the source and move immediately to treatment.
Eczema is a typical cause of penile skin irritation, but considering the location of the body in question, there are a number of additional possibilities to rule out, especially those related to sexually transmitted infections.
So take out your trash (in private, of course!) and continue reading to figure out what it's trying to tell you.
Is it eczema or something else entirely?
Eczema isn't always used as a precise phrase. Atopic dermatitis is the medical term for the condition. However, it is commonly used to refer to a number of disorders that can elicit skin irritation symptoms, including:
- dryness
- itchiness
- scaliness or roughness
- inflammation
- discolouration
- lumps containing liquid
- gushing fluid with the potential to crust over
- swelling
The following are examples of eczema conditions that can affect the penis:
Atopic dermatitis: The word "atopic" signifies that this type of eczema can develop even if the skin hasn't been exposed to an allergen. This type of eczema is most frequent in infants and children, although it can also affect adults.
Contact dermatitis, unlike atopic dermatitis, is caused by coming into contact with an external irritant or allergen. Thus, there are three types of contact dermatitis:
Contact dermatitis irritants. Irritating contact dermatitis, the more common of the two, is caused by skin exposure to a harsh chemical, heat, friction, or even water. Symptoms appear soon after contact and usually do not extend far beyond the point of touch.
Contact dermatitis due to allergies. Contact with an allergen, such as nickel or cobalt-containing metals, chromium salts in paint or leather, scents found in cosmetics or food, formaldehyde, and antimicrobial ointments, causes this type. It can take up to four days for symptoms to manifest after exposure to the allergen.
Could it be a sexually transmitted infection?
Your penis can react negatively to a brush with a foreign object in a variety of ways, including contact dermatitis and sexually transmitted infections.
Hopefully, you and everyone who comes into contact with your penis are aware of and adhere to the fundamentals of safe sex. However, sex is never fully risk-free. Because STIs can strike anyone, it's important to understand how to recognise the symptoms of common STIs and how they differ from eczema.
While eczema and contact dermatitis only affect the skin, skin problems caused by sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are frequently accompanied by symptoms that extend beyond the skin.
While genital herpes and syphilis can cause itching, lumps, and discoloration on the skin around the penis, they can also cause flu-like symptoms like headaches, fever, achiness, and swollen lymph nodes in the groyne.
Another significant distinction between STIs and eczema is that STIs are contagious (may be spread from person to person), whereas eczema is not.
Why, though?
Atopic dermatitis' exact cause is uncertain. However, most cases are thought to be caused by combined hereditary and environmental factors.
Among the possible genetic factors are:
- An immune system that is hyperactive. White blood cells initiate an inflammatory reaction to defend the body's cells when it recognises an infectious threat. Some people's immune systems are "wired" differently, with some sections being overactive, resulting in eczema symptoms.
- Gene change. A gene in our bodies produces a protein called filaggrin, which forms a protective barrier on the skin's surface that keeps moisture in and keeps bacteria and other invaders out.
- Some people with eczema have a mutation in this gene that causes their skin to become drier and more vulnerable to environmental triggers like those listed below.
The following are examples of environmental elements that might cause irritation or allergic contact eczema or eczema causes:
- Some environmental factors that produce irritating contact dermatitis include:
- cleaning products and soaps
- prolonged exposure to water (yes, water can be irritating!)
- Some environmental factors that contribute to allergic contact dermatitis include:
- perfumes found in cosmetics
- Bacitracin and neomycin antibiotic ointments
- Formaldehyde is a chemical that can be found in home cleansers and adhesives (all good things to keep well away from your penis, anyway)
- cleaning products and soaps
- a few metals, particularly nickel and cobalt (double-check the metal composition )
- isothiazolinones are a kind of isothiazolinone (antibiotic chemicals found in baby wipes and other disinfectants
- cocamidopropyl betaine (found in several lotions and hair care products)
- diamine-paraphenylene (found in leather dyes and temporary tattoos)
Take Away
Eczema and eczema-like rashes on the penis, such as contact dermatitis, can be painful and unsightly, but don't worry; it happens, and there are plenty of eczema treatment options to help you break free (and penis) like eczema creams and therapies.
You've taken a big step toward a more pleasant future if you've ruled out alternative possibilities and received a diagnosis. Relief is achievable with the diversity of therapy options offered!
