spots on the penis head

[sgh315]

Very recently I have discovered red spots (4 to 5) on the head of my penis. They appear underneath the skin and the general area is no more sensitive then the rest of head. They vary in size and have small dark red centers surrounded by a lighter red. They are however flat, don't seem to be raised, and none are exremely big in size. They are very visible though when i am erected. They appear more to be blotches then warts or pimples. But they are very random and quite a surprise. I am healthy, though do not have an up to date STD test. These spots seem like nothing that I have heard about though regarding STD's. Any acknowledgement on what this might be and what I can do to get rid of it would be greatly appreciated.

SGH

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,

This could be - pearly penile papules or fordyce spots. You would need to consult your doctor for a confirmed diagnosis.

'Pearly penile papules are multiple, small (about 1-3mm) papules running around the circumference of the crown of the glans penis. They typically develop in men aged 20 to 40, and around 10 per cent of all men are affected. They may be mistaken for warts, are not infectious and require no treatment.'

'Fordyce spots are small (1-5mm) bright red or purple papules that can appear on the glans, shaft or scrotum and usually affect younger men. They may occur as a solitary lesion, but frequently appear in crops of 50 to 100. They are painless and not itchy, but may cause embarrassment because of their appearance, or a fear that they might be sexually transmitted. '

Let us know if you need any further information.

Post us about what your doctor advises.

Regards.

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,

Without external examination it is very difficult to confirm a diagnosis,but the various possibilities for your symptoms are folliculitis , pearly penile papules , 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 ,balanitis(due to an underlying infection (bacterial and fungal as well as other organisms) and genital warts(caused by HPV and are infectious).

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 sites. Oral antihistamine medications would help if the lesions are itchy.

Hope it helps.Take care and pls do keep me posted if you have any additional doubts.