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small bumps on penis (not std)
Hello,
I have been experiencing two small patches of bumps under the foreskin of my penis for the last month and a half. They are about dime sized in area, with the bumps being tiny but varying in size. The bumps are slightly redder than my skin tone, but do not stand out significantly. Several times the head of my penis has been slightly redder and looked a little puffy while feeling sensitive, but it has always disapppeared a few hours after washing/drying. The bumps have not spread or disappeared at any point, and may have existed for much longer. They are nestled on the inside of the foreskin, just below the head of the penis, normally lost in the fold of skin.
Testing has ruled out most stds. (bacterial and viral swabs, herpes anti-bodies tests, etc) None of my previous partners are showing symptoms of anything similar.
I wear loose cotton boxers, and clean and dry the area in the shower everyday.
I have been using a cream that is supposed to remove warts for 3 weeks, but have yet to see any effects. Aldara (imiquimod) does say it can take up to a month to notice results, so this might be a bit premature.
I am waiting for my dermatologist apppointment, but it is booked at the end of April. Is there anything I should be looking into during the wait? A friend suggested it could be eczema (which does run in my family), but my doctor told me that the skin would be dried out then (it is not).
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
I have been experiencing two small patches of bumps under the foreskin of my penis for the last month and a half. They are about dime sized in area, with the bumps being tiny but varying in size. The bumps are slightly redder than my skin tone, but do not stand out significantly. Several times the head of my penis has been slightly redder and looked a little puffy while feeling sensitive, but it has always disapppeared a few hours after washing/drying. The bumps have not spread or disappeared at any point, and may have existed for much longer. They are nestled on the inside of the foreskin, just below the head of the penis, normally lost in the fold of skin.
Testing has ruled out most stds. (bacterial and viral swabs, herpes anti-bodies tests, etc) None of my previous partners are showing symptoms of anything similar.
I wear loose cotton boxers, and clean and dry the area in the shower everyday.
I have been using a cream that is supposed to remove warts for 3 weeks, but have yet to see any effects. Aldara (imiquimod) does say it can take up to a month to notice results, so this might be a bit premature.
I am waiting for my dermatologist apppointment, but it is booked at the end of April. Is there anything I should be looking into during the wait? A friend suggested it could be eczema (which does run in my family), but my doctor told me that the skin would be dried out then (it is not).
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Best Answer
After seeing the dermatologist, they have been confirmed as Fordyce spots. A lot of worry over nothing. Thank you for the diagnosis suggestion, it was quite correct.
after investigating fordyce spots, I do have extremely similar looking bumps on my lips and just under my eyes at the top of my cheeks. I always assumed this just part of the texture or pores of my skin, but they do look identical to the spots on my penis.
If the spots on my penis went unnoticed because of their location within a fold of skin, it is possible they have existed for some time. I only thoroughly inspected myself after the tip of my penis became itchy (following three masturbation sessions during a day off. In hindsight, its not exactly amazing it became itchy) and slightly red looking. The bumps on my lips have been around for years.
What methods exist to verify that these are fordyce spots? Is a biopsy the only method?
If the spots on my penis went unnoticed because of their location within a fold of skin, it is possible they have existed for some time. I only thoroughly inspected myself after the tip of my penis became itchy (following three masturbation sessions during a day off. In hindsight, its not exactly amazing it became itchy) and slightly red looking. The bumps on my lips have been around for years.
What methods exist to verify that these are fordyce spots? Is a biopsy the only method?
thank you for the quick response.
PPP hs been ruled because the bumps are not on the mucous membrane, only on the foreskin which rests against it when not retracted.
Folliculitis seems unlikely because there is no hair within a few centimeters of the bumps. In fact, I dont have a single hair on the upper portion of my shaft or anywhere on the foreskin.
I will ask my physician about fordyce spots and try to use some powder to keep the area dry. Though I had been dabbing it with a towel, I had not thought to try baby powder. Seems like a great idea.
If anything changes over the next few weeks I will keep you informed. Thank you.
PPP hs been ruled because the bumps are not on the mucous membrane, only on the foreskin which rests against it when not retracted.
Folliculitis seems unlikely because there is no hair within a few centimeters of the bumps. In fact, I dont have a single hair on the upper portion of my shaft or anywhere on the foreskin.
I will ask my physician about fordyce spots and try to use some powder to keep the area dry. Though I had been dabbing it with a towel, I had not thought to try baby powder. Seems like a great idea.
If anything changes over the next few weeks I will keep you informed. Thank you.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hello,
The various possibilities for your symptoms are folliculitis(might only be felt as small lumps in the skin commonly with a hair arising from centre) , pearly penile papules(multiple, small (about 1-3mm) papules running around the circumference of the crown of the glans penis) , Fordyce spots (small (1-5mm) bright red or purple papules that can appear on the penis and usually effect younger men), sweat dermatitis or contact dermatitis(appear as red small lumps with itching or burning) or balanitis(due to an underlying infection (bacterial and fungal as well as other organisms).
I sincerely advise you to consult a dermatologist and get yourself evaluated for these possibilities. Till then, you should keep the area clean, wear lose comfortable clothes to avoid sweating, use a powder to keep the area dry and use calamine lotion at the site.
It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.
The various possibilities for your symptoms are folliculitis(might only be felt as small lumps in the skin commonly with a hair arising from centre) , pearly penile papules(multiple, small (about 1-3mm) papules running around the circumference of the crown of the glans penis) , Fordyce spots (small (1-5mm) bright red or purple papules that can appear on the penis and usually effect younger men), sweat dermatitis or contact dermatitis(appear as red small lumps with itching or burning) or balanitis(due to an underlying infection (bacterial and fungal as well as other organisms).
I sincerely advise you to consult a dermatologist and get yourself evaluated for these possibilities. Till then, you should keep the area clean, wear lose comfortable clothes to avoid sweating, use a powder to keep the area dry and use calamine lotion at the site.
It is very difficult to precisely confirm a diagnosis without examination and investigations and the answer is based on the medical information provided. For exact diagnosis, you are requested to consult your doctor. I sincerely hope that helps. Take care and please do keep me posted on how you are doing.
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The diagnosis of Fordyce spots is confirmed after examination and biopsy is not usually required. Get it examined from a dermatologist and then get the diagnosis confirmed from a dermatologist.
I hope it helps. Take care and regards.