How dangerous are the red spots on my glans? | Red spots on the glans – How dangerous is that?

How dangerous are the red spots on my glans?

The causes of red patches on the glans can be very variable, ranging from slight irritation due to excessive tissue stress, for example from frequent traffic, to an allergic reaction to altered skin care products, to an acute inflammatory change in the context of an infection or, in the worst but very rare case, manifestation in the context of cancer. As a result, the assessment of the danger of red spots is strongly cause-dependent, whereby it must be emphasized that in almost all cases they are harmless processes. Irritation or allergic reactions heal within a few days without specific therapy if the cause of the disease is eliminated.

If there are other symptoms such as fever, swelling of lymph nodes in the groin or itching, one should rather think of an infectious genesis and consult a physician promptly. The initiation of a pathogen-adequate therapy is very important for the treatment and healing of the red spots. In addition to bacteria, viruses and especially fungi can also be considered as infectious triggers of the stains.

If an infection is suspected, you should inform your sexual partners as soon as possible, otherwise the pathogens are often transmitted between the parties involved. Irrespective of the triggering pathogen species, final healing of the disease is only possible with specific drug therapy, otherwise the disease pattern may become chronic or the pathogen may spread beyond the local infection of the genitals to other parts of the body, which can lead to systemic involvement and, depending on the pathogen, to serious complications or protracted progressions. Only in an extremely small percentage of cases is the occurrence within the framework of a cancerous disease considered, so that all in all the risk potential of the red spots on the glans is to be assessed as low.It should again be pointed out that if you suspect an infection caused by the pathogen, you should definitely consult a doctor to initiate the necessary therapy.

For clarification, we will go into the different causes, their dangers and therapy in the following: If red spots appear on the glans, this can have a whole range of causes. In many cases these are local skin irritations, which are caused by mechanical rubbing processes on the trousers or the zipper. Furthermore, red spots on the glans are sometimes caused by a so-called toxic reaction.

In the broadest sense, toxic reactions of the skin belong to skin allergies. If, for example, a shower gel or detergent has been changed, regular use of the product can sometimes cause an allergic reaction of the skin. This is usually associated with red spots on the skin and can occur all over the body.

In some cases, the sexual organ and especially the glans can be affected. It is important to look not only at the red spots but also at any accompanying symptoms. A reddish skin change in the form of red patches on the glans in combination with local pain on the red patches indicate an inflammation of the glans.

This clinical picture is also called balanitis. Sometimes a bacterial infection can be behind it, sometimes a mechanical or toxic irritation. If parts of the foreskin are also affected in addition to the glans, this is also called balanoposthitis.

Red spots on the glans are usually accompanied by severe itching, depending on the underlying cause. Especially inflammatory processes can cause red spots on the glans, which are accompanied by severe itching. Inflammatory processes in the area of the outer skin layers of the glans can be detected in the so-called inflammation of the glans (technical term: balanitis).

Affected patients typically suffer from burning pain and pronounced itching. In addition, the skin surface appears reddened (red spots) and irritated. The redness is often recognizable as red patches on the glans, but in some cases the entire glans appears reddened.

In addition, the inflammatory processes can cause local swelling. The causes for the occurrence of an inflammation of the glans with red spots on the glans must first be distinguished between infectious and non-infectious triggers. Infectious inflammation, which is accompanied by severe itching, can be caused by bacterial and viral pathogens as well as by fungi.

Infectious inflammatory processes are usually characterized by a relatively acute course in which the symptoms (e.g. itching) appear suddenly. The risk of bacterial inflammation, which is indicated by red spots on the glans and pronounced itching of the glans (pruritus), can be increased above all by inadequate intimate hygiene. In addition, diseases such as diabetes, but also narrowing of the foreskin (so-called phimosis) can increase the probability of the development of red patches and itching on the glans.

The treatment of infectious inflammation of the glans always depends on the underlying cause. If a bacterial infection is detected, local antibiotic treatment must usually be initiated. Affected patients must treat the red spots that itch with an antibiotic ointment over a period of five to seven days.

The severe itching typically subsides noticeably after a few days. Fungal infections that cause red spots and itching on the glans must also be treated with an ointment. Non-infectious inflammations, in which no itching has to occur, are usually caused by mechanical irritation or overstrain of the glans.

In many cases, a narrowing of the foreskin, which leads to severe friction on the glans during sexual intercourse, can also be detected in those affected. Patients suffering from a mechanically caused inflammation of the glans with red spots usually do not feel any itching. The glans, however, often shows itself as red and sore in those affected.

Patients also frequently suffer from a swollen glans. An inflammation of the glans, which is characterized by red spots on the glans and does not cause itching, is usually treated with locally applicable cortisone containing preparations.The regular application of the usual ointments helps to alleviate the complaints and inflammatory symptoms. Red patches on the glans, which do not cause itching, disappear completely within a few days.

In addition, it is important to note that the irritated glans must not be subjected to further stress during the healing period. Otherwise, the symptoms may worsen. In the case of both infectious and non-infectious inflammation of the glans, it is also important to note that the inflammatory processes spread to the inside of the foreskin and may cause a so-called “balanoposthitis”.

  • Staphylococci
  • Streptococci
  • Herpes genitalis viruses
  • Human papilloma viruses (HPV)
  • Yeast fungi (for example Candida)
  • Parasites (especially Trichomonas vaginalis)

The possible causes for the development of red spots on the glans can be narrowed down by looking at the accompanying symptoms. In this context, possible itching and pain associated with the skin changes play a decisive role. A burning sensation of the glans is also often described.

Red spots on the glans, which are accompanied by severe, burning pain, usually indicate the presence of inflammatory processes. In the majority of affected persons, the constellation of symptoms “red patches on the glans and pain” can be attributed to a so-called inflammation of the glans (balanitis). Typically, the glans is clearly reddened and irritated.

The occurrence of local swellings is also not uncommon in the presence of an inflammation of the glans. The inflammatory processes that lead to pain and red spots on the glans can be caused by bacterial and viral pathogens as well as fungi. In addition to the infectious forms of glans inflammation, non-infectious changes can also cause pain and red spots on the glans.

Typically, the symptoms are caused by overloading the sensitive glans. This phenomenon can be observed especially in people who have frequent intercourse. In addition, red patches on the glans, which are accompanied by severe pain, can be caused by excessive intimate hygiene.

Frequent cleaning of the sensitive glans, especially when using unsuitable care products, can destroy the natural skin environment and make the skin surface more sensitive to mechanical stimuli. Although inflammatory processes in the area of the glans usually lead to severe pain, the absence of pain is no proof that there is no inflammation. No pain despite red spots on the glans, for example, can be observed when the inflammatory processes are only mild.

Even at this stage, the prompt initiation of appropriate treatment can lead to a particularly rapid healing of the irritation on the glans. In addition, red spots on the glans, which are not accompanied by pain, can be an indication of completely uncomplicated skin changes. In these cases, no medical treatment is usually necessary.

Men who suffer from red spots on the glans, which are not accompanied by pain, should first observe the skin changes and in case of doubt, consult a specialist. Discharge from the penis (fluor genitalis) is considered a skin symptom for inflammation of the urethra. Inflammatory discharge typically appears mucilaginous, yellowish-green and purulent.

In addition, the outflow can be malodorous in the presence of inflammatory processes in the urethra. There can be various causes for the development of urethral inflammation. To narrow down the possible causes, the accompanying symptoms should be closely observed and analyzed.

The main causes of an inflammation of the urethra (so-called urethritis) are sexually transmitted diseases such as gonorrhea or a chlamydia infection. For this reason, a distinction is made between gonorrheic and non-gonorrheic forms of urethritis. If the inflammation of the urethra, which leads to discharge, is based on a gonorrhea infection, red spots on the glans can usually be observed.

In addition, the affected men experience painful changes in the testicles and burning pain when urinating.The typical gonorrhea infection discharge is usually whitish, yellowish or greenish. In addition, the secretion of the effluent is experienced by the affected persons as extremely painful. The main number of affected patients also develop a general symptomatology with fever, chills, tiredness and fatigue.

The treatment of gonorrheic urethritis, which is accompanied by red spots on the glans and discharge, is usually carried out by applying an antibiotic. In the meantime, there are effective antibiotics available for the treatment of gonorrhea, which may also be effective against other pathogens present. When treating gonorrhea, however, it must be noted that possible sexual partners must always be treated as well.

Otherwise, the causative pathogens can be transmitted again by the sexual partner after the disease has healed. With a Chlamydia infection, the outflow appears rather glassy, slimy or purulent. Typically, the secretion is mainly secreted in the morning.

Affected patients also often experience burning pain, which increases in intensity, especially when urinating. In addition, red spots on the glans can often be observed. Antibiotic therapy must also be initiated in the case of chlamydia-induced urethritis.

If red patches appear on the glans, which are either painful or painless, and if there is also a very dry skin surface on the glans that starts to flake, this is in most cases not an infectious cause. In general, the cause of this scaling is contact dermatitis, which is caused by toxic dermatitis. Mostly occurring on the fingers and hands, contact dermatitis recedes as soon as contact with the triggering substance is avoided.

Often it is detergents or shower gels that are newly applied and to which the skin reacts. This scaly skin reaction can also be caused by excessive hygiene. If the intimate area is washed too often and exposed to water and detergents too often, the skin’s protective acid mantle may be attacked.

This is necessary above all to prevent pathogens that are on the skin from penetrating the skin and causing inflammation of the skin area. Frequent washing injures the acid mantle, causing the skin to dry out and peel. The first and most important measure is to reduce frequent intimate hygiene. Furthermore, nourishing and greasing ointments can be applied to the glans, which should care for and protect the skin and help to restore the acid mantle.