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Dermatology (Expert Forum)
pearly penile papules .. how to permanently remove
Answered by
Alan Rockoff, MD - dermatology, Child Skin Problems
The Rockoff Dermatology Center
Brookline - MA
This forum is for questions regarding Dermatology issues, such as: skin rashes, acne, birthmarks, skin infections, rosacea, and general skin care.
pearly penile papules .. how to permanently remove
by TonyHawk, May 29, 2004 12:00AM
I can completely identify with the person that submitted the "White Bumps/Pearly Penile Papules On Penis...I got lots of them" post, because I have the exact same condition ("pearly penile papules occur at the rim of the head of the penis") and situation (non-existent sex life). I saw my doctor a few years ago and also someone at a clinic for a second opinion, and they both said it was sweat glands. Even though it doesn't give discomfort etc, it is very noticable because there are 100 to 200 cysts, which is a big mental thing to overcome. I suspect this is a very common psychological problem given that 10% to 30% of males have this! This site has been a big help for being another source confirming it's not an infection. I think the thing that made me convince myself it was an infection in spite of what the doctor said was because, in addition to the lumps around the rim of the head, there are also several clusters of white specs that could be seen underneath the skin when the foreskin is pulled back, with the worst clusters immediately below the head (again, underneath the skin, unlike the external lumps around the rim of the head).
Given that this mostly occurs in uncircumised men this probably confirms the "sweat glands". So to eliminate this I'm considering both electrosurgery (to remove the cysts) and circumcision (to help prevent the cysts returning). If I was a woman I would find these cysts very off putting, so I'm trying to decide whether to go through all the hassle/pain/money to get them removed, or whether to try to come to terms with it psychologically. It's easy for someone to just say "ignore them" etc but this is extremely difficult to do with it all being so unsightly, especially with it looking so similar to an infection. Thanks for any advance.
Given that this mostly occurs in uncircumised men this probably confirms the "sweat glands". So to eliminate this I'm considering both electrosurgery (to remove the cysts) and circumcision (to help prevent the cysts returning). If I was a woman I would find these cysts very off putting, so I'm trying to decide whether to go through all the hassle/pain/money to get them removed, or whether to try to come to terms with it psychologically. It's easy for someone to just say "ignore them" etc but this is extremely difficult to do with it all being so unsightly, especially with it looking so similar to an infection. Thanks for any advance.
Doctor's Answer
by Alan Rockoff, MD, May 30, 2004 12:00AM
, May 30, 2004 12:00AM
With respect, they are not "unsightly"--they are part of you. I would think several times about having them cauterized (electrosurgery)--that could very well leave permanent scars which are indeed unsightly, and I doubt the effect, if any, would be very long-lasting, as the papules would probably just grow back. Since they occur in circumcised men, on the rim of the head of the penis, I don't see how circumcision would solve this problem for you.
Are you sure you aren't using these bumps as a kind of excuse to avoid intimacy? I strongly urge you to explore this question with a therapist before going under the knife or the needle.
Best.
Dr. Rockoff
Are you sure you aren't using these bumps as a kind of excuse to avoid intimacy? I strongly urge you to explore this question with a therapist before going under the knife or the needle.
Best.
Dr. Rockoff
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