Penis Birthmarks

Hi,

Since a few years ago, I've realized that tan specks/spots have appeared on my penis shaft here and there. Tan, as in a lighter skin tone, as compared to the surrounding darker skin tone. They exist on the shaft only, dorsal side and backside. The shape of the tan spots vary, but they look like watermarks or birthmarks (kind of like water droplets that soaked into the skin). The tan color is very weak, does not stand out, and seemingly normal, but yet distinctly recognizable. The general pattern of the tan spots seems to go down the shaft of the penis, starting at the top of the foreskin covering the glans (glands), down towards about 1/2 way down the penis. Most of it is on the dorsal side and some on the underside. Do they sound like birthmarks and are nothing to worry about? If so, can someone give me pictures of such birthmarks for me to compare to to reassure me?

Thanks  

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Since the marks have been present for such a long time,so I don’t think that they are dangerous.They sound like Fordyce spots,marks due to friction rub with clothes or simple hyperpgmentation of the skin.

This darkening occurs when an excess of melanin, the brown pigment that produces normal skin color, forms deposits in the skin.

Treatment involves hydroquinone, azelaic acid, corticosteroids, tretinoin cream and laser treatment. Pls discuss these options with your dermatologist before using them.As and such these marks should be left as such if not causing any trouble.

Hope it helps.Take care and pls do keep me posted on how you are doing or if you have any additional queries.Warm regards.

[Gosil]

Hello,

Thanks for the fast reply. They are not Fordyce spots, because they are not bumps, just a difference in skin colour, and I also have Fordyce spots myself which does not bother me because they are miniscule. But the lighter tannish skin tone of these spots I have are covers a slightly larger area and is more visual. The Fordyce spots near the bottom of my shaft seems to lead up to these tannish areas, which mostly occur at the halfway point on the dorsal side of my penis, and down the underside of the shaft. It's as if semen flowing down from the top left some light water marks behind.

P.S. I am not circumcised.

I am quite convinced they are not harmful by now. But I'm very curious to know what is the reason behind this difference in skin tone. (I'm Asian with tan skin colour, the penis area is naturally slightly darker (light brown), and these "tan spots" are basically my normal skin colour, a very indistinct difference, yet clearly recognizable.)

Curious regards,
Thanks in advance.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
The other possibilities are of freckle or pityriaisis versicolor. It is a common skin infection caused by the yeast Malassezia furfur. This skin disease commonly affects adolescents and young adults, especially in warm and humid climates.

Treatment involves topical and oral antifungal medicines.If these spots are not causing any symptom,then they should be left as such.But if they are causing any itching,redness etc then they should be evaluated by a dermatologist.
Hope it helps.Take care and pls do keep me posted on how you are doing or if you have any additional queries.Warm regards.

[Gosil]

Yes! That is very similar to my condition after seeing a few pictures. It seems that it normally occurs on other parts of the body, but I only have small bits of it on my penis, is that normal?
But otherwise, it does not cause any itching symptoms whatsoever, so thanks for all the help.

You are very kindd =).