An itchy penis can be uncomfortable and painful. But pinpointing the exact reason behind an itchy penis can be difficult because there are a lot of factors that could cause it. Sometimes the itch is perfectly normal and clears up in a few days, while some other cases are more serious and require you to visit a doctor. So how do you tell if your rash is harmless or requires medical attention? Here are a few possible reasons behind your itchy penis.
1. Dry Skin
A common reason behind an itchy penis is simply that the skin around this area is very dry. The shaft and head of the penis are usually the most prone to dryness, but for some men, the scrotum can get very dry as well. Depending on how dry your skin is, you might have skin cracking around the shaft or copious amounts of discharge in unusual colors. You might even experience sores, blisters and a weird smell around your penis.
2. STDs
An itchy penis could be the first sign of an STD. If you notice your penis getting very itchy immediately after you have unprotected sex, it might be an STD or STI. And STD is also usually accompanied with headaches, pain around the penis, pain and difficulty in urinating and fatigue. If the itch doesn’t go away in a few days, you need to visit a doctor. There are a number of STDs which could cause your penis to itch, including genital warts, scabies, herpes and chlamydia.
3. Eczema Or Psoriasis
Psoriasis on the genitals looks very different from the way it presents itself on other parts of the body. If you have patches of psoriasis on the rest of your body, it will look red and scaly. However, genital psoriasis presents as red patches, with no scales. They are found at the tip of the penis and the shaft and look shiny. Genital psoriasis can affect people of any age, including babies.
4. Allergies
If you have an allergy, then its symptoms could manifest on your penis as well. Nut allergies, plant allergies and even seafood allergies could cause itching and swelling on your penis. Apart from being itchy, these symptoms can also be quite painful for men. If you know the exact cause behind your allergy, then the best approach is to avoid it completely. You can also go to an allergy doctor to help pinpoint the exact substance you’re allergic to.
5. Jock Itch
If you sweat a lot around your genitals, then a fungal infection could be why your crotch is itchy. This condition is commonly called a jock itch and is very widely prevalent among men. Germs thrive in damp, dark environments, so your underwear is like a little haven for them. Briefs can exacerbate a jock itch because they cut off circulation and make you sweat a lot more.To prevent jock itch, change your underwear frequently, especially if you work out a lot.
6. Candida
If you have an overgrowth of candida in your body, you might begin to develop red itchy bumps on your penis. Candida is always present in your body, but under healthy conditions, it’s balanced out by good bacteria so it doesn’t harm your body. However, there are certain factors which can upset this balance and lead to an overgrowth of candida. If you’re undergoing chemotherapy, are on a course of antibiotics, are following an unhealthy diet or have poor hygiene, candida can grow and multiply in your body unchecked. Symptoms of a candida infection include red itchy bumps and unusual discharge from your penis.
7. Bad Hygiene
Often times, the reason behind your itchy penis could be just that you’re not cleaning yourself properly. Balanitis is a condition where the head of the penis becomes swollen and painful. The most common reason for this is that your penis is getting no ventilation and the accumulated discharge around it is irritating the area. This is most often because you aren’t changing your underwear for long periods of time. Your penis might also be itchy and inflamed because you’re using harsh soaps to wash it or you aren’t rinsing it properly.
