Red spots on the male penis glans are a skin condition. Not infrequently, a disease is hidden behind them.
What are red spots on the glans?
Red spots on the glans of the male penis are changes in the appearance of the skin. This can also affect the shaft of the penis as well as the foreskin. Red spots on the glans of the male penis are changes in the appearance of the skin. The penis shaft and the foreskin can also be affected. The red spots sometimes represent a skin rash, which is called exanthem by medical experts. In themselves, the reddish spots do not mean a clinical picture. However, they can help the doctor find clues to a possible disease. Not infrequently, the red spots on the glans are also associated with other symptoms. However, in some cases they are harmless irritations. The red spots on the glans penis can be divided into different types. These include papules, which are less than one centimeter in diameter, plaques, which are flat and larger than one centimeter, and ulcers, which are more rare. These exhibit pus filling and result in crusting.
Causes
The causes of red spots on the glans of the penis are varied. Often, an inflammation of the glans (balanitis) is behind their appearance. Balanitis can occur both in adult people and in children. In this case, the member is inflamed and often secretes pus at the neck of the glans. In most cases, the inflamed glans is caused by inadequate hygiene, which leads to the accumulation of secretions under the foreskin of the penis. It is not uncommon for sexual activity, during which rectal germs can colonize the foreskin, to be responsible for glans inflammation. If smegma accumulates under the foreskin, this provides an excellent breeding ground for bacteria such as mycobacteria, staphylococci or Gardnerella vaginalis. Diabetics are considered to be at high risk. The red spots that form on the glans can also be caused by a non-infectious inflammation of the glans. This is usually caused by excessive hygiene. In this case, the skin of the glans loses fat, which results in its damage. Often, red spots on the glans are the first indication of a disease transmitted during sexual intercourse. For this reason, the sexual partner of the affected man must also be treated, so that the infection is not repeatedly transmitted from one partner to another. Red spots on the glans are in many cases associated with other complaints. These include first and foremost itching, which is usually very pronounced. The itching as well as pain often occur in the context of an inflammation of the glans. In addition, the red spots are sensitive to irritation. If patients suffer from considerable burning pain, this is considered an indication of inflammation. It is not uncommon for local swelling to form as well. Bacteria, fungi and viruses are all possible causes of balanitis. If the affected men have frequent sexual intercourse, the red spots usually mean irritation of the glans, which soon recedes.
Diseases with this symptom
- Acorn inflammation
- Skin fungus
- Syphilis
Diagnosis and course
In the case of red spots on the glans, a specialist should definitely be consulted. This asks the patient first about how long he has already suffered from the staining, whether there are other complaints such as itching, burning or pain during urination, whether other parts of the body are also affected, whether the sexual partner has changed recently and whether there is possibly a latex allergy. The questioning is followed by a physical examination, during which the doctor takes a closer look at the red spots and palpates the inguinal lymph nodes. With the aid of a cotton swab, a smear is taken of deposits or secretions from the affected areas. This allows pathogen cultures to be cultivated and determined. Sometimes a blood count is also taken to check the inflammation parameters as well as prostate and kidney values. If an inflammation of the glans is responsible for the red spots on the glans, this should be treated.Otherwise, there is a risk that the inflammation will spread to the kidneys via the urinary tract.
Complications
Red spots on the glans can be accompanied by various complications. If they are caused by a rash, this clinical picture is not infrequently accompanied by chills and fever. If the red spots are caused by irritation, they may of course be accompanied by severe soreness. Especially during sex or even when wearing tight pants, a very unpleasant and painful feeling arises. Under certain circumstances, an open wound can also develop on the glans due to further strain. If this wound is not kept clean, there is a risk of infection. In some cases, this can lead to the formation of pus, so that medical treatment is unavoidable. If the redness is caused by an infection, it can also lead to a weakening of the immune system. As already mentioned above, fever, chills or even severe headaches then occur. Only with appropriate medication can a fungal infection and the associated complications be treated. To name explicit complications is very difficult at this point, because the causes of red spots on the glans can be very different and versatile.
When should you go to the doctor?
Red spots on the glans are not a healthy change of the skin and in any case indicate a disease. Fungal infections or other sexually transmitted diseases are conceivable. When red spots appear on the glans, it is often the first apparent symptom and soon there will be others, which can be much more unpleasant. Therefore, the affected man should immediately make an appointment with a urologist or, if necessary, with his family doctor. A swab of the glans is taken and examined under the microscope. This can determine what triggered the red spots. At best, the condition was noticed early enough to then treat it before further symptoms even appear. Depending on the cause, the affected person may have to inform his or her sexual partners, because STDs are transmitted to other people regardless of gender. Until it has been clarified what the red spots on the glans are, it is advisable to completely avoid sexual intercourse. It is very likely a sexually transmitted disease, which could otherwise be passed on to another person. This is also true in a monogamous relationship, because a woman’s vaginal fungus can easily spread to her partner as well. If symptoms appear in the partner, it is best for both to see a doctor.
Treatment and therapy
The therapy of red spots on the glans depends on their cause. If only irritation is responsible for their appearance, ointments or creams usually already help to relieve them. In addition, patients must refrain from sexual intercourse for a few days to allow the affected areas to recover. In the case of acorn inflammation, local therapy is used. Depending on whether the condition is caused by bacteria or fungi, the patient is given antibiotics or creams that have a fungicidal effect. In the case of a viral infection, antivirals may be administered. If, on the other hand, it is a non-infectious inflammation of the glans, ointments containing cortisone are used. The creams can also be combined with disinfecting and cooling agents. Daily baths with antiseptic solutions are also considered helpful. Following this, gauze strips can also be dipped in the solution and placed under the foreskin on the reddened areas. If foreskin stenosis is the cause of the repeated occurrence of red spots and inflammation, surgical removal of the foreskin is recommended.
Outlook and prognosis
In most cases, red spots on the glans lead to further complications and discomfort. In this case, the affected person suffers from a severe skin rash and itching as well. In many cases, papules also appear, which are sometimes surrounded by ulcers and filled with pus. Most often, the spots on the glans occur due to inflammation of the glans. This has a negative effect on sexual desire and can make sexual intercourse impossible for some time. Pain also occurs, which reduces the quality of life.Patients are often ashamed of this disease and thus avoid visiting the doctor, and serious complications can occur. If the red spots on the glans do not disappear by themselves, the doctor may also prescribe ointments and antibiotics for treatment. In this case, no further complications occur. In many cases, however, the spots also disappear on their own. After the treatment, a recurrence of the red spots is not excluded. If the symptom accumulates, the doctor can also remove the foreskin. There are no complications or further discomfort for the patient.
Prevention
To prevent red spots and inflammation of the glans, consistent hygiene with clear water is considered useful. In doing so, it is important to remove the smegma (pre-skin lubrication) that forms naturally under the foreskin. However, cleaning the glans should not be exaggerated, because this can also lead to inflammation and staining.
This is what you can do yourself
Various self-help methods can be used for red spots on the glans. They depend on the cause. If irritation of the glans skin is the cause of the red spots, ointments and creams can help relieve the discomfort. Care and moisturizing ointments, wound and healing ointments and chamomile flower ointments come into question. In addition, the glans should be cleaned with warm water. Patients should also refrain from sexual intercourse for several days to allow the heavily stressed skin areas to recover and regenerate. Recommended for red spots on the glans is the use of a chamomile tincture. A linen cloth is soaked in chamomile ointment or chamomile tea and placed on the glans. Chamomile causes a reduction of irritation and an early healing of the skin. Chamomile tincture should be done once or twice a day and last for about ten minutes each time. Alternatively, a chamomile sitz bath can be performed. Tea tree oil can also help with red spots on the glans. It is applied to the reddish areas and has an anti-inflammatory and healing effect. Tea tree oil is especially recommended if the red spots are due to balanitis simplex, which is an inflammation caused by external irritation. Tea tree oil should be diluted before applying it to the skin, otherwise it may cause further irritation.