tiny white bump(s) on shaft of penis

[bliggityblah]

I was examining myself today and I noticed a couple of tiny white bumps on the shaft of my penis - on the side, above the hairline, and below the head.  Like I said they are barely noticeable but I saw them. I tried squeezing one but it was so small I didn't notice if it popped.

Quick background... I have one sexual partner since january and we've used condoms every time.

Before her, the last time I had sex was in October and admittedly it was unprotected but she had been my only partner (and regular partner) for the previous 6 months.

More background... I work out at the gym 4 days a week and to remain active on the other days. I've recently had a bout with jock itch that which I used a cream for. The cream worked seemed to work.  There were never any signs of herpes like bumps, discharge, etc.  So i hope to god it was only jock itch.  Could this be a reaction to the cream?

I'd like to add the fact that after examining myself again.... now they are only really noticeable when I stretch the skin.  When i run my finger across where the white bumps appear, i don't feel them.  Again they are way above where the last hair appears.

My question is... Should I worry about these bumps. I'm kinda freaking out here. Please help.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Glad to help. Take care. EWH

[bliggityblah]

Thank you for putting my mind at ease!  (for the most part)

I forgot to mention that they are not painful or itchy.  I wouldn't have even noticed them had i not been applying jock itch cream.

I have scoured the internet reading about herpes and warts.  While the symptoms don't necessarily seem to match, i was getting a little paranoid.  I just wanted a professional opinion on the matter.

Thanks again for your input!

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Welcome to our Forum.  Let's start with the most important thing I can tell you- do not freak out about this. What you describe really does not sound like any of the major STDs that cause "bumps" (herpes, syphilis, or even warts) and no matter what it is, will be readily manageable.  At the same time, I will not give you a diagnosis- to do so would be improper and not in your best interest ( I will suggest some possibilities however, see below) .  You need to have a trained health professional take a look and tell you their impression.  If possible, it would be best to see someone who has substantial experience in taking a look at genital lesion (and not all health professional do, in fact most do not).  If you are here in the U.S. your local Health Department is a good place to go- they typically see walk-in patients, they are discrete and they spend lots of time looking at genitalia and there is no substitution for experience.  

Lesions of the sort you describe could represent a fungal infection.  These sorts of infections sometimes cause small bumps which can be scraped away.  Another possibility is a problem called folliculitis ("hair bumps") which occur when pores get plugged.    Amongst the potentially sexually transmitted diseases the major possibility that comes to mind is a problem called molluscum contagiousum, a minor, easy to treat, viral infection.  Having said this, let me suggest once again that you seek a professional opinion and do not go to the internet. past experience tells me that more often than not, going tot he internet to evaluate such things causes far more anxiety than it helps.

I hope these comments are helpful to you.  this is not an emergency- stay cool and seek an evaluation when convenient.  EWH