Penis Irritation: Causes, Symptoms, & Treatment

You may consider yourself a tough guy, but the skin on your penis is sensitive. This sensitivity enhances your experience during sex, but it can be a drawback if you come across harsh chemicals or bacteria and are left with penis irritation.

Penis irritation is an uncomfortable or painful sensation on or around the penis. Many health conditions can cause penis irritation, like eczema, yeast infections, and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Here, we’ll cover the most common causes of penis irritation, treatment options for each, and what you can do to keep your member pain-free.

Penis irritation can affect different parts of the penis, including the foreskin, tip, and head (glans).

Symptoms of penis irritation depend on the cause but can include:

• Pain or discomfort

• Itchiness

• Redness

• Flaking of skin

• Swelling or soreness

• Discharge

• Burning during urination

• Bumps, sores, or lesions

Some guys might have all these symptoms, and others might only experience one or two.

The most common reasons for penis irritation include chronic skin conditions, allergic reactions, and infections.

Causes of penis irritation include:

• Eczema

• Psoriasis

• Allergic reactions

• Balanitis

• Yeast infections

• Sexually transmitted infections

• Lichen sclerosus

• Penile cancer

Lichen sclerosus and penile cancer are less common causes of penis irritation because the conditions are rare.

Treatments depend on the cause of your irritation and may include topical antifungals, antibiotics, or lifestyle adjustments. Here’s what to know.

1. Eczema

Eczema (atopic dermatitis) is a common skin condition that causes red and itchy patches. These patches can show up anywhere on the body — and, unfortunately, the penis, groin, scrotum, and skin around the anus are no exception.

According to the National Eczema Society, eczema patches on the penis could be due to harsh soaps, detergents, shower gels, or tight clothing.

Friction during sex (read: continuous rubbing) can also lead to an eczema flareup if you haven’t used enough lubricant.

Eczema Treatment for Penis Irritation

Topical steroids and anti-itch creams are usually prescribed for eczema.

While there are many over-the-counter products for eczema, they aren’t always safe for your genitals. Always ask your healthcare provider first if you’re unsure.

2. Psoriasis

Like eczema, psoriasis also shows up as patches on the skin. They, too, can arise on the penis, scrotum, groin, or area around the anus.

However, psoriasis patches tend to be thicker and more inflamed. They can also be partially silver or white in color.

According to the National Psoriasis Foundation, up to two-thirds of people with psoriasis also struggle with genital psoriasis. Triggers include stress, skin injury, or certain medications.

Psoriasis Treatment for Penis Skin Irritation

Like eczema, psoriasis is typically treated with topical steroids. You might be prescribed an oral medication if your condition persists.

3. Allergic Reactions

Allergic reactions to lube, body wash, body spray, and other personal care items or cosmetics can cause penis irritation. This is especially true if the formulas contain chemicals like glycerin, parabens, or petroleum.

It’s also possible to be allergic to condoms. However, it’s worth noting that latex allergies are rare, affecting less than five percent of the general population.

If you have a reaction while using lubricant or a pre-lubricated condom, it’s more likely because of a chemical found in the lube. Opting for a water-based lubricant is a safer choice if you have sensitive skin.

Treating Allergic Reactions to Relieve Penis Irritation

Your provider might prescribe a steroid cream to ease allergy-related irritation. An oral antihistamine can also help relieve swelling, itching, and discomfort.

4. Balanitis

Balanitis is inflammation of the glans (head of the penis). It’s a condition that affects three to 11 percent of males during their lifetime.

Symptoms include penis head irritation, itchiness, tight foreskin (phimosis), discharge, a bad smell, and painful erections.

Balanitis has many triggers, like yeast, chemical irritants, or STIs. Another common culprit is poor hygiene, which can lead to smegma buildup (when dead skin cells mix with body oils and sweat) under the foreskin.

Balanitis Treatment for Penis Head Irritation

Balanitis treatment varies by cause. If the trigger is yeast, an antifungal may be prescribed. You might have to take antibiotics if your symptoms result from a bacterial infection.

5. Yeast Infections

Yeast infections on the penis, also known as thrush, are often caused by the Candida albicans fungus.

Like balanitis, this fungal infection can lead to penis tip irritation or inflammation under the foreskin if you’re uncircumcised. You might also notice a foul-smelling discharge, itchiness, redness, or cracked skin.

Sex and urination can be painful with a yeast infection.

Several factors can create an environment that allows yeast to grow. We’re talking hormonal changes, a compromised immune system, stress, tight clothing, and antibiotic use.

Yeast Infection Treatment for Penis Tip Irritation

You can usually treat yeast infections at home with an over-the-counter antifungal cream. Your healthcare provider may prescribe a stronger topical steroid or an oral antifungal medication if the condition worsens.

6. Sexually Transmitted Infections

Some sexually transmitted infections and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are known to cause irritation on the skin, head, or tip of the penis.

Syphilis, chlamydia, gonorrhea, genital herpes, and genital warts can come with a range of irritating symptoms like:

• Discomfort on or around the penis

• One or multiple blisters or lesions

• Pain during sex

• Pain or burning while peeing

As the name suggests, sexually transmitted infections and diseases are spread through unprotected sexual contact.

STI Treatment

STIs caused by bacterial infections, like syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea, are treated with antibiotics.

Those caused by viruses, like genital herpes and genital warts, usually resolve on their own, or they can be treated with antiviral medication.

7. Lichen Sclerosus

Lichen sclerosus is a rare autoimmune condition that causes white, itchy, wrinkly patches on the penis, most often on the foreskin or head of the penis. Sometimes, the patches break open and bleed. 

The exact cause of this condition remains unclear, but it’s more common in uncircumcised men.

Lichen Sclerosus Treatment for Irritated Penis

Treatment for lichen sclerosus often involves steroid creams. If symptoms don’t get better, your provider might suggest circumcision.

8. Penile Cancer

According to the American Cancer Society, skin changes affecting the penis usually aren’t related to cancer. But it’s a possibility you shouldn’t take lightly.

Penile cancer can cause:

• Lumps

• Swelling

• Bleeding sores

• Red spots

• Crusty bumps

• Foul-smelling discharge under the foreskin

Sores and ulcers related to penile cancer don’t typically hurt, but they might.

Researchers aren’t entirely sure what causes penile cancer. Some contributing factors include a family history of cancer, tobacco use, and STIs like human papillomavirus (HPV), the virus that causes genital warts.

Treating Penile Cancer

Treatment for penile cancer depends on when it’s diagnosed. Options include surgery, radiation therapy, or treatments for early-stage tumors. Chemotherapy is usually reserved for larger tumors or if the cancer has spread throughout the body.

Penis irritation has many potential causes and can last for various lengths of time, depending on why it happened in the first place.

For instance, a psoriasis flareup can greatly improve within one week. However, conditions like lichen sclerosus might call for months of treatment.

Following your treatment plan and practicing good hygiene are good ways to speed up recovery from penis irritation and prevent future problems.

You can’t always prevent penis skin irritation if it’s related to an autoimmune disease or another medical condition. But there are some actions you can take to reduce your risk.

They include:

• Wash your genital area regularly with warm water and keep the area dry.

• Use condoms when having sex, especially with new or multiple sexual partners.

• Avoid personal care products containing harsh chemicals.

• Find healthy ways to manage stress levels.

• Avoid smoking and excessive alcohol use.

• Wear breathable clothing that allows you to move freely.

• Stay hydrated.

Talking to a stranger about penis problems can feel embarrassing or uncomfortable, but we promise you, urologists have seen it all. So call your healthcare provider at the first sign of penis irritation.

Most causes of penis irritation are curable, treatable, or resolve on their own. But you should act fast if you notice something’s off.

Remember:

• Penis irritation refers to many symptoms. It can include itching, redness, burning, swelling, mild pain, or discharge.

• Penis irritation has many causes. The most common causes of penis irritation are skin conditions (like eczema or psoriasis), allergic reactions, and STIs. Less common causes include lichen sclerosus and penile cancer.

• Treatment depends on the underlying cause. Some cases of penis irritation are treated with topical creams. Others require oral medications or even surgery.

Want to learn more about how to care for your sexual health? Check out this guide to tips for keeping your penis healthy.

You can also do a virtual consultation with a licensed healthcare provider to address all your penis-related health problems.