Bump on scrotum, what is it??

Dear Doctor,

I have a small bump on the outside of my scrotum on the left side. It started out small and painless. Now it has grown to about 1/8" in diameter and has a bright red bulb on the end of it (almost shaped like an anvil). It is very pliable and appears to be totally above the skin. I don't notice any lump or abnormality under the skin. It has been there now for about 3 months. It doesn't really cause me any pain other than if I play with it. I attempted to pop it once and it bled like crazy. I didn't notice any pus or an oily discharge. When I shower and dry off it tends to bleed. I am prone to skin tags and have several on my face (around eyes) and on my shoulders and neck. Initially I assumed it was a skin tag, but I have never had one this large and I have never had one that developed a bulbous head on it. I am otherwise healthy (except for IBS for 20 years) and take no medications. I have been married for 16 years and have never had an STD. There are no other abnormal growhts or rashes in my groin area. I did have a bout of jock itch about 12 to 16 months ago, but it cleared right up with anti-fungal cream. Could you please give me an idea of what this may be and what I should do about it. I don't really want to go to the Doctor, if I don't have to. I do shave that area, but this does not look like any other ingrown hairs I've had before.

Thanks in advance for any help or advise.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

My best guess is that it is an angioma, a benign collection of blood vessels.  These occasionally bleed if rubbed, but not much or often.  They don't go away on their own, and are easy to cauterize if they are bothersome, though it is OK to leave them alone.

Having said all this, I really can't tell you for sure what it is without examining you, so if you want to know, you'll need to see a doctor.

Take care.

Dr. Rockoff