If you’ve recently noticed dry skin in your penile region, you shouldn’t be alarmed. It is incredibly common and can be easily managed. Dry penile skin usually occurs as a result of poor hygiene maintenance and is not related to any STDs like genital herpes, genital warts, syphilis, etc.
Often, dry penile skin and foreskin occur in conjunction with the following symptoms:
- Dry cracked foreskin
- Itching, flaking or peeling skin under the foreskin
- Redness and rashes on the skin
- Fine lines on the penile skin
- Deep cracks on the skin that may bleed
If you are familiar with any of the above symptoms, this blog will help you manage and prevent the same in the future.
Common Causes of Dry Foreskin and Penile Skin Are:
- Drying soaps: You should be very careful while selecting soaps/cleansers for your penis. A harsh soap will dry out your penile skin. You should use mild soap or baby shampoo to clean your penis. If you can’t afford those, you can use water to clean your penis thoroughly.
- Harsh laundry detergents: If you wash your underwear using harsh detergents or fabric softeners, they can dry out your penis as well. You should consider switching to hypoallergenic laundry detergent and fabric softener.
- Allergies: Often, people aren’t aware of it, but latex, spermicides, and fragrances associated with condoms can lead to allergic reactions leading to dry skin. If you’ve had an allergic reaction, in addition to dry skin, penis skin peeling, red and itchy rashes, penile swelling, etc. If you are prone to allergies, you should switch to latex-free condoms made from polyurethane or silicon that aren’t treated with spermicides or other similar chemicals.
- Dry masturbation or sex: You should be very careful of lubrication while having sex to make the procedure more comfortable, pleasurable, and safe for both male and female partners. Lubricants can be water-based, oil-based, or silicone-based.
Water-based lubricants are the least irritating, as they mimic the natural body fluids closely. They don’t stain but dry out easily and need to be reapplied. Oil-based lubricants last longer, but they can stain the sheets, while silicone-based lubricants don’t stain, but they are hard to clean off. Make sure you use the best lubricant that will help prevent drying out of penile skin.
- Tight clothing: Tight underwear or pants constantly rub against the skin and can lead to chafing. It also increases sweating and pooling of fluids under the foreskin, which leads to a buildup of fluids under the foreskin, which is an appropriate breeding ground for fungus and other infections. You should wear soft, supportive underwear, preferably made from cotton, and make sure your other clothing is made from light and breathable fabrics.
- Yeast infections: Yeast infections, in addition to dry skin, lead to rashes, discharge, and painful urination. If you have an infection, you should keep the penile area dry and clean and use over-the-counter antifungal ointments. You should also abstain from sex and masturbation till you have healed.
- Penile eczema: Eczema, or dermatitis, is swelling of the foreskin. Penile eczema can lead to the formation of bumps under the foreskin, with itching, swelling, and pain. It is usually treated with over-the-counter topical corticosteroids, but since the penile skin is very thin and sensitive, you should be very careful and follow the doctor’s instructions while applying the medicine.
- Psoriasis: Psoriasis is a skin condition that causes rashes with itchy and scaly patches. Commonly, penile areas suffer from inverse psoriasis, which occurs when parts of the body rub against each other. It leads to dry reddish lesions on the penile skin, red patches on the glans, etc.
Home Remedies and Treatments for Dry Skin
The treatment for dry skin depends on its cause and severity. If you have dry penile skin, you can follow the following tips for a speedy recovery:
- Abstain from all sexual activity, including masturbation, for at least 24 hours before starting your treatment. You may need to abstain from sex altogether until the treatment is complete and the dryness has disappeared, especially if you have a yeast infection, as it can be contagious and can spread to your sexual partner.
- Drink plenty of water to make sure you are well-hydrated.
- Make sure you use sensitive soaps and cleansers while bathing or showering. If your penis is too sensitive, you can skip the soaps and wash your genital areas with just hot water. However, if you are using a cleanser, make sure it is all washed out afterward.
- Use a moisturizer on your penis after you bathe. You can use regular moisturizers, but make sure they do not contain any chemicals that will trigger an allergic reaction or worsen the condition. Most doctors recommend using a special penile cream that includes shea butter, Vitamin E, etc., for better results. For minor penile dryness, you can also use coconut oil moisturizers. However, you should note that oils can react with condoms and reduce their effectiveness.
- If you have cracked or peeling penile skin and it hasn’t improved after a couple of days of treatment, it may be due to yeast infection, psoriasis or eczema, so it is best to consult a doctor/dermatologist for proper treatment.
As discussed, dry skin in the private area can occur due to a variety of reasons and it may be hard for the patient to diagnose themselves. It is best that the patient consult an expert urologist near them for treatment if they have any penile pain or discomfort to avoid any complications. At Pristyn Care we treat various foreskin issues like phimosis, balanitis, balanoposthitis, paraphimosis. You can contact us at Pristyn Care to know more about laser circumcision and Stapler Circumcision.
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