I was wondering?

THere are red bumps on a males penis. They look like they are swolen. AT first there was only one, now there is two. They are both on the shaft of the penis. Neither have a hole in them that look like they could be popped. The one now looks black and blue. I keep telling him to go to the doctor but he hasn't yet. Him and his girlfriend do not use condoms because she is on birth control and they are in a monogamous relationship. He does shave his penis, he thinks that it may be  blocked hair folicles? They hurt when you touch them. What do you think that they could be?? at least the one has been there for a month or two and the black and blue one had been there about a week. What do you think it could be, and what should he do?

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Possibly folliculitis (hair follicle infection, which can result from shaving), but there are other possibilities.  If painful, definitely he should have them examined.

Are you sure he shaves his penis?  Not the scrotum or pubic area?  I've heard and seen lots of things over the years, but not shaving the penis.  I'm not implying critcism--but not much surprises me and I'm genuinely curious.  Do other men do this?

Bottom line:  He needs to see a health care provider.

HHH, MD

[Bullet22]

Well, first of all Doc, thanks for answering my question.

I would say most guys my age (young professinoals, yuppie's, metrosexuals) shave or at least trim their scrotum.  There is hair at the base of the penis, at least on me that I shave.  But I have no idea why a guy would shave the shaft of his penis, as to there is no hair on it.