Small white bumps on base of penis.

[takingbacknelson]

Hi, I am a 19 year old male. (nearly 20). Over the last few months, I have had unprotected sex with my girlfriend. I have notice that on the base of my penis are small white-ish bumps. They are on the base of the shaft, the scrotum, and skin surrounding the shaft, the skin surrounding the shaft seems to be where they are more prevalent. The scrotum seems to be where there are the least, only one of two. I have done a lot of research and I have no idea what these could be. I have read several different things, however I am worried I may have warts.

They are not painful, and do not itch. At first I thought they were pimples that could be popped. I should also *** that I have a few that were on the very bottom of my stomach, just above the waste line. I understand that it is hard to know for sure what these might be over the internet however, any help would be great. Also what kind of doctor I should see. I am away at school so getting to the doctor is kind of hard, however I have health insurance.

Thank you for any help.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Without examination, confirmation of a diagnosis is tough but it can be contact dermatitis, rash due to friction rub, folliculitis, cysts ,molluscum contagiosum(multiple, small, dome-shaped papules, often with a central depression or plug) or genital warts(caused by HPV infection).

Apply warm compresses, Neosporin ointment and calamine lotion and avoid messing with it. You  can take anti-inflammatory pain killers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen. If the lumps persist then it will be best to get it evaluated from a dermatologist.
Hope it helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing or if you have any additional queries. Warm regards.

[takingbacknelson]

I just saw a doctor about two days ago. He didn't exactly know what to give me as a diagnosis. I was hoping to go and get my mind put at ease, or at least find out what is wrong with me. However when I left I was just left with more questions and I am now looking to see another doctor for a second opinion.

The doctor had said he doesn't THINK its herpes because normally there would be pain with that. Ok, so that put me a little at ease. Said maybe could be gentile warts, but wasn't sure about that either. Than said maybe a staph infection, and that he would put me on some antibiotics and take a cotton swab and test for staph. Than he said maybe I have a combination of staph and genital warts, or something like that. I was not happy because to me he seem to not really know what it was.

So should I go get a second opinion, or wait until the culture of the cotton swab comes back and see what it says? They said they would probably have it back by tuesday or wednesday. I am freaking out just waiting a whole weekend to not know what is wrong. I'd be less worried if the doctor was confident that it was staph, or genital warts, or anything. However he didn't seem to know. He said if it was a staph infection the antibiotics should help. However if it is genital warts than what is my next step?


I feel very alone in this whole thing. I am away at college, and this isn't helping keep my stress level down. The only people I've been able to tell were my girlfriend and my dad. I really just want to know already what is wrong and do what I need to do to get better. I appreciate any help. Thanks!

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Warts are tumors or growths of the skin caused by infection with Human Papillomavirus (HPV).They are contagious when in contact with the skin of an infected person. It is also possible to get warts from using towels or other objects used by an infected person.

Exactly what it is can be confirmed only after examination and biopsy. Please get it done from a dermatologist. I hope it helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing. Kind regards.

[takingbacknelson]

Thank you. I will get it looked at my a dermatologists. They seem to be in high demand where I live because the two I have called so far are booking a year out. Perhaps after seeing my regular doctor again this Wednesday I can ask him to recommend me to a dermatologist.

I will keep you updated, for sure. I appreciate the help.

[takingbacknelson]

If I do have a staph infection and I am on the antibiotics from doctor how long would it take to see any improvement in the effected area? I started taking them on wednesday and I know it is only saturday but I don't think the infection as gotten better or worse. Has pretty much stayed the same for 3 months.