STD Resource Center

Rash On The Penis

Sexually transmitted diseases can transfer from one person to another through sexual activity. Many different kinds of STDs are highly contagious because they don't always show symptoms at first. A common symptom in men that should be paid attention to is a rash on the penis.

What To Look Out For

Different kinds of conditions can cause rashes on the penis or surrounding the area. Rashes are most likely itchy and are usually caused by some sort of irritation. The irritation could be from a couple of different sources, which is probably something you're going to want to find out about. These can be from infections, the causes being bacteria, fungus or an STD. They could also be caused by penis lice.

It's important to avoid any further damage with soaps or to try to get rid of the itch. Getting a good rash cream should be able to alleviate some of the itchiness. You’ll often find that organic creams will not further inflame the affected area. Be careful with certain types of soaps, as they could be part of the problem. Better yet, stop using soaps and stick to water washing with a rash ointment to see if it goes away on its own.

In Control Of Your Health

Just because you have a rash doesn't necessarily mean that you have an STD, either way, its better to be safe than sorry. Rashes that are present have the possibility of becoming severe or being an outward sign of a burgeoning STD. Many STDs do not display any outward symptoms. Finding a rash of some kind can help you notice if you have an STD.

There are different reasons why a rash may show up on your penis or groin area. Some of these are due to external factors, sexually transmitted diseases, or other bacteria-related issues.

Making an Educated Assessment

First take a look at what kind of different problems can cause these symptoms. Jock itch is one of those that comes to mind, as it is a fungal infection resulting from sweat stained clothing. It often occurs in athletes, but it can happen to anyone. If you were to wear tight clothing, not allowing for moisture to hit the skin, then you're also at risk.

The symptoms of this non-STD are itching and peeling skin with an altered color. It will typically have a burning feeling to it and further activity will affect the condition even more. The rash can spread along the penis all the way through the groin, even up to the sides of the thighs and lower stomach area, Most of the time, the testicles remain unharmed.

Breaking Down What The Symptom Are

You can try to determine what kind of rash you have based on the cleaning products you do or do not use, as well as the activities that you participate in. A type of rash that is accompanied by swelling is Balanitis, again more likely in uncircumcised men. It is a painful condition that results in bacterial growth, causing pain, infection, and rashes. Irritation can further be brought on by soaps that dry the area around the skin. Another rash you can get is Dermatitis, which is caused by skin that may be allergic to a new soap or latex condom. Chemicals in different kinds of cosmetics can bring this on.

The worst case scenario for a rash is syphilis. The secondary stage of syphilis will include a rash that doesn’t itch, and it can occur on the penis and other parts of the body. The rash will go away on its own, but the disease will persist, making testing that much more important.