Red Dots

[corporate_america]

I am 27 and started noticing cherry angiomas at the age of 20-22.  Recently, I have noticed many more over a relatively short period of time.  The majority are on my chest and abdomen, but are now appearing on my thighs and arms.  Is this hereditary?  Can they be brought out by stress?  A doctor friend of mine said that a large number of cherry angiomas that develop over a short period of time can be a sign of internal malignancy????....IS THAT TRUE??????

Thanks

[nilsy]

pizzaboy ... read on ...

Balanitis and Foreskin Hygiene
Essential facts
Balanitis is an inflammation of the glans (head) of the penis. It usually causes redness and/or a blotchy rash on the glans, sometimes with a discharge. The condition may be itchy or uncomfortable but often feels completely normal.

Why balanitis occurs
Balanitis is not sexually transmitted. It results from an overgrowth of organisms which are normally present on the skin of the glans. The condition most commonly occurs in men who have a foreskin (i.e. have not been circumcised). The environment under the foreskin is warm and moist, and these conditions often favour the growth of the organisms that cause balanitis.

These organisms are especially likely to multiply and cause inflammation if moisture is allowed to persist under the foreskin for a while. This may occur if you have not washed for a couple of days, or sometimes after sexual activity (vaginal, oral or anal - with or without a condom).

One of the most common organisms associated with balanitis is a yeast known as Candida albicans. Candida can cause vaginal "thrush" in women; therefore balanitis in men is sometimes called thrush. However, candida is normally present in both men and women and a man will not automatically develop balanitis if he has intercourse with a woman with thrush. Balanitis occurs because of an overgrowth of candida, which is due to moisture and warmth under the foreskin.

Management of balanitis
Medication (e.g. cream or ointment) is rarely necessary, and is usually less effective than hygiene measures. The aim is to make it difficult for organisms to grow under the foreskin by keeping the glans and the foreskin clean and dry.

Once a day, ideally when you have a shower, slide your foreskin back towards your body until the glans is completely uncovered (Figures 1a and 1b). Do not use any force. If there is any resistance or discomfort, check with a doctor.
Wash the end of your penis and foreskin thoroughly using warm water only. Alternatively, sorbolene and glycerine cream (available from chemists and supermarkets) may be used as a substitute for soap.
After washing, dry the end of the penis and foreskin thoroughly. If convenient, sit with the glans exposed to the air for 10 minutes. More thorough drying can be achieved by using a fan or hair dryer (Figure2).
After drying, replace the foreskin (Figure 3).
When you urinate, slide the foreskin back so that urine does not wet the foreskin (Figure 4). After urination, dry the end of the penis and replace the foreskin.

If you are prone to developing balanitis a few hours after sex, wash the penis as described above shortly after having sex. Make sure the glans is completely dry before replacing the foreskin.

These measures will lead to a rapid improvement in symptoms and will help prevent episodes of balanitis in future. If you experience repeated attacks of balanitis despite adequate foreskin hygiene, consult your doctor

super-sorted.

[pizzaboy]

i have little red dots on the head of my penis that only appear after i masturbate or have sex and i want to know what is it and if its dangerous and what i have to do to get rid of them thank you!

[geejac]

I have these hard sharp lumps all the same size coming up from within my body. They make me feel like they are burnt out cells or something. They will not go away untill I dig them out . There like corns but minute. They started on my wrists, and are on my shoulders , across the breast area and down the arms. I'm 55 and feel there either a hormonal disorder or internal deadening of cells in my nervous system. They are not those tiny white bumps, just something coming from within. There is no moisture expelled from them just hard hard core of calous skin. Please help. Don't know where to turn. I've had  full hysterectomy in 93,

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

As hereditary spots, they are not preventable, just removable.

Dr. Rockoff

[corporate_america]

Are they preventable?  The only thing a doctor can do then is remove them?  Thanks again.

[Alan Rockoff, MD]

Cherry angiomas are hereditary.  They concentrate on the middle of the body--neck to waist--but may appear elsewhere.  They rarely affect the face, and never come there in large numbers. Even if you get some more, they will never come in the thousands and cover your skin. They are not a sign of internal malignancy.

Most people don't remove these, but for those who wish to, light electrosurgery or laser are simple, not painful amd effective.

I recommend that you consult with a dermatologist to establish the diagnosis and look into possible treatment.

Best.

Dr. Rockoff