White bumps under skin on penis and scrotum

[golfman]

I am a 33 year old married male.
In the last week I have been concerned over something regarding my genitals.   Out of the blue, small white bumps have appeared on the underside of my penis, as well as my testicals.  
Their are no bumps on the top of my penis or on the head.   They mainly are at the base of the penis running slightly up the underside- almost in groupings (as well as on my tesicles).
The only time they are really noticable on my penis, is when I am erect.  They are under the skin, and when I pull the skin tight they feel like little grains of sand?  I tried to pop a few, but nothing comes out .   They mainly (with the exception of just a few) seem to all be attached to a hair.  
I live in the south, and it has been very hot for the last few months.  About two months ago, I expereinced what I considered chafing on my leg, right under where my larger testicle seems to sit.  I started using baby powder to help (could this be clogging my pores)?
3 years ago was diagnosed with vericose veins in my left tecticle - my Dr. didn't seem to be worried unless it resulted in not being able to have children - since then my wife and I have had a son.
My wife was prescribed Nystatin Triamcinolone Acetonide Cream for Viginal irriatation (long before I ever noticed these bumps).
I would be happy to answer any questions should that help with a possible diagnosis.   Thank you for your time.

What could this be??

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

For the penile bumps, you seem to be describing normal hair follicles or sebaceous cysts.  It sounds like you are just examining yourself more closely than before and noticing the normal anatomy of the skin of the genital area.  Chafing of the inner thigh/groin, especially in a continually moist area (where sweat accumulates, i.e. where one skin surface touches another) probably is tinea cruris (jock itch) or some similar infection (e.g., erythrasma).  Definitely no STD can cause any of the things you are describing--and that's where my expertise and advice ends.  Visit your primary care provider or a dermatologist for diagnosis and reassurance.  In the meantime, don't worry about STD.

HHH, MD

[golfman]

Thank you for the quick response.    
I think the slight itching is due to me noticing them more, but I am pretty sure I have never had the bumps except for the last week.

They are a bit unsightly, so is there anything I can do to help get rid of them?  

Could the baby power or my wife's medication in any way cause some sort of reaction?  

I guess I never be too sure and should see a doctor -   One other thing to check on with you is that ever since I can remember, I get a few "pimples" in my pubic hair above my penis.   They hurt like crazy, but only happen a few at a time, every 4-5 months.   I have a slightly low waist line, so they often occur right where my pants/belt sit for hours at a time.   I also where my belt very tight because I have a small plevis and butt, so it helps keep my pants up :)


I always blew them off as genital pimples because of moisture.   Does this affect your prior statement??

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

If you're talking about the penile bumps, you can't get rid of a normal skin condition and there is no need to do so.  Men don't typically stand around comparing their penile skin, but if you did that, you probably would see you are just like every other man your age.  If you have jock itch, the standard over the counter medications (e.g., Lamisil) will work just fine.  The pimples sound like just that, nothing more.

[Englishman]

The closer you examine the skin on your penis, the more irregularities you will see. The mistake is to believe that penile skin is smooth and uniform like the skin of a fashion model or something. If you use a magnifying glass and follow a hair closely, you can see the bumb (follice) under the skin. Sometimes you see a bumb, but with no hair because the hair is too fine to notice. As far as i am aware they are called fordyce granules. I don't recommend using the magnifying glass for too long because you will convince yourself that you have all sorts diseases that you read on the internet(!).

Look at the bottom picture on this link to see fordyce spots on the penis.

http://www.merckmedicus.com/ppdocs/us/hcp/content/white/chapters/white-ch-019-s001.htm

[golfman]

Thanks for the answers.   The picture looks nothing like my spots, but I get the point.

I guess I am probably a bit over excited about something minor.   But it has consumed my thoughts - thinking I might have something more serious.  

I can almost say for 100% cetainty that these spots were not there a week ago.

[golfman]

After of day of worrying, I now have loose stool, stomach pain (lower stomach) and lower back pain.   The area around my testicles is now quite red, along with a "tight" feeling with some itching.   Sorry to be such a pain....this is probably all in my head....but could this possibly be herpes or any other STD??

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Not herpes, not an STD.  I will not permit any more questions here, or responses by others.  Take it to the STD support forum if you want comments from others.  An online site is not a substitute for a visit to your personal health care provider.  Call it tough love, but this thread is over.

[buck365]

A related discussion, I want to know if i contracted an std was started.