itchy bumps on shaft and around penis

[SPB414]

Hi, For the past couple of months or so I have had reoccuring itchy pimple like bumps come and go on and around the shaft of my penis. I am sexually active and have only had sex with one girl. The bumps that show up on the shaft of my penis tend to be raised pimple like bumps sometimes white headed and when popped somewhat sticky whitish yellow puss comes out. This puss has no smell and I have not realized any odd smells. These bumps appear to be spread out and usually appear as single bumps (one bump in one area on shaft and maybe another bump somewhere else on shaft) they never appear right next to eachother. these bumps also seem protrude from the hair follicles. I have had unprotected sex and was wondering if you think this could be an STD or STI. The bumps around the shaft of my penis also appear to be protruding from the hair follicles, are red like bumps clustered together to form some sort of rash and are also itchy. Help would be greatly appreciated thank you!

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,

The description of the bumps sounds like folliculitis. Folliculitis is the inflammation of one or more hair follicles. The condition may occur anywhere on the skin.

Folliculitis starts when hair follicles are damaged by friction from clothing or blockage of the follicle. In most cases of folliculitis, the damaged follicles are then infected with the bacteria Staphylococcus (staph).Most of the bumps have a hair projecting out from them.

Pls keep the area clean and apply some topical antiseptics. Topical antibiotics such as mupirocin or neomycin containing ointment are also useful.In case the symptoms persist then oral antibiotics may be needed.Pls consult a dermatologist in that case.

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

[SPB414]

thanks a lot for the advice and help! I'll be sure to keep you up to date. Thanks again!