We all get pimples and acne at some point in our lives. For some of us, it’s recurring; for other lucky few, it’s seldom. Whichever side of the spectrum you fall in terms of acne, everyone is susceptible to getting it, even in uncomfortable places, including the nether regions.

Before you get concerned, it’s important to remember that pimples form where there are pores. Therefore, technically they can develop anywhere on the body. Like any other pimple on the body, they occur when a pore becomes clogged.

Acne on Penis

You can suffer from pimple on penis for many reasons. For one, it’s a sensitive area typically enclosed in clothing, which can make it more susceptible to clogged pores, but we’ll talk more about that later. Oil, bacteria, and dead skin cells typically fill up the pores, resulting in blackheads, whiteheads, or other forms of acne. There are many ways to distinguish whether the bump you have is a pimple if they:

• Contain pus
• Feel tender to the touch
• Feel hard

It's essential first to distinguish what kind of pimple it is, or even if it's a pimple, to prevent and eliminate the problem spot.

Whiteheads On Penis

You most likely have a whitehead if you discover a little red bump with a white or yellow head. Whiteheads occur when a hair follicle or a sebaceous gland gets infected and become inflamed. Typically, the inflammation occurs when there is increased sebum, an oily substance produced in the sebaceous gland.

Just like the rest of the body, they can form on the penis, which is a normal thing. However, it’s essential to ensure it’s a whitehead and not something else. White bumps on the penis may be related to conditions known as pearly penile papules or pustules called Fordyce spots.

Pearly penile papules are fleshy done-shaped bumps that typically develop in rows around the tip of the penis and are often found in uncircumcised men. They aren’t infectious nor require any treatment; however, it’s not wrong to identify them and make sure that’s what they are.

Fordyce spots are small yellow-white bumps that can develop in various locations on the body, mainly areas without hair. These spots are enlarged and slightly raised oil glands. They aren’t contagious and usually go away over time without medical treatment.

Blackheads On Penis

Blackheads are another form of acne; however, they cause less discomfort and irritation than other types of acne. Blackheads look just like the sound, with black dots on the skin. They can quickly get confused with hair follicles or even freckles. They are harder to spot because they don’t usually cause inflammation or irritation to the skin. However, removing and preventing them is essential, even if they don’t cause discomfort. Blackheads can occur for several reasons, such as

• Increased sebum
• Abnormal formation of keratin
• Increased hormones
• Increased bacteria

Why Do I Have A Pimple On My Penis?

Many factors go into the development of acne on our skin, and it’s entirely normal wherever they may be located. Some people are at higher risk than others because of the genetic makeup of their skin. For example, people with oily skin are more likely to have pimples because the oil they naturally produce can clog their pores more abundantly than someone who doesn’t make as much oil.

Whether you have oily skin or not, pimples on penis can form if you

1. Skip showers
2. Live in a humid climate
3. Have oily skin
4. Shave
5. Wear tight clothing

Despite all those factors, it’s important to note that pimples can form on your penis regardless of whether you engage in sexual activity. However, if you are sexually active, getting tested regularly is crucial as some STD symptoms can be confused with acne pimples.

Causes Of A Zit On Penis

There can be many reasons why you might be experiencing a pimple on penis. It’s important to remember that everyone’s skin is different and reacts differently. There could be one singular cause or a combination of a few.

Oily Skin

As mentioned, some people are more likely to have acne simply because of the makeup of their skin. There are three different skin types that you can have

1. Oily
2. Dry
3. Combination

The three categories are relatively flexible, as many combinations of the three could be your skin type. However, for the most part, those are the three main types. Each type is susceptible to acne; however, the first is more likely. If you have oily skin, you have a higher chance of acne, which could be why you are suffering from acne on the penis.

Tight-Fitting Clothes

A lack of airflow, too much pressure, heat, and friction can all lead to penis acne. It’s essential to make sure you are purchasing breathable clothing that isn’t too tight around the area. If you sweat throughout the day and wear tight clothing that isn’t breathable, the chances of your body forming acne are much higher.

Razor Burn and Ingrown Hairs

If you shave your public hair, there is an increased chance that you may get razor burn, which can lead to acne. Razor burn looks like an irritating red bumpy rash that surfaces due to bacteria. These bumps can also become puss-filled pimples.

When you shave the genital area, you can also quickly get ingrown hairs when the hairs grow back. Ingrown hairs occur when the growing hair gets trapped and curves under the skin, forming a red bump that can fill with puss and be painful, depending on the severity.

To prevent both razor burn and ingrown hairs:

1. Make sure your razor is sharp
2. Use a healthy amount of shaving cream
3. Shave in the direction of hair growth and pull the skin taut
4. Finish with moisturizing the area

Poor Hygiene Habits

One main reason you could suffer from penis acne is poor personal hygiene habits. It’s important to shower and clean yourself almost every day to ensure theirs no build-up of oil and bacteria that can clog your pores. A healthy hygiene routine can help eliminate the three possible causes of acne.

Having poor hygiene habits can result in the following:

• Increase of germs
• Illnesses
• Infections
• And many other concerns

Identification (Acne V.S. STD’s)

When dealing with acne in such an intimate area, it’s crucial to make sure you or your doctor identify whether they are pimples or something more serious. It’s possible to get STDs confused with acne, so it’s vital to determine which it is. There is a handful of STDs out there that can cause lesions and bumps similar looking to pimples in the genital area, such as

1. Genital herpes
2. Syphilis
3. Molluscum
4. Genital warts

Each STDs’ characteristics appear different on the skin and cause a variety of sores. It is essential to be knowledgeable about STDs and the accompanying symptoms to ensure your and your potential partner’s safety if the circumstance arises.

Genital Herpes	Syphilis	Molluscum Cotagiosum	Genital Warts
A gentile herpes outbreak looks like little, painful blisters filled with clear fluid. Aside from the pimple-like blisters, symptoms such as headaches, achiness, swollen lymph nodes, and fever can occur.	Syphilis is a bacterial infection that can cause painless chancres on or around gentiles, spread through direct contact with syphilis sores.	Molluscum Cotagiosum is a viral infection often accompanied by small lesions that are typically white, pink, or flesh-colored with a dimple in the center.	Gentle warts are viral infections that cause warts on the genitals. A single or cluster of bumps that vary in size can be raised, flat, or shaped like a cauliflower.

Now that you know the potential STDs that could cause you confusion, it may be helpful to understand the difference between acne and STD symptoms.

Acne Symptoms	STD Symptoms
Black, white, and or red bumps	Burning or itching
Pain only to the touch	Sores, bumps, and blisters (that could be mistaken for pimples)
Tenderness on infection site	Burning and pain when urinating
Large solid painful lumps under the skin	Frequent urination
Little bumps accompanied with a rash	Discharge
	Pain around pelvis

How To Get Rid Of A Pimple On Penis

The first step to getting rid of those unwanted lumps and bumps is identifying what exactly they are. Knowing what the cause of the spot is will make it a lot easier to get rid of it.

Leaving Them Alone

For all the secret pimple-popping lovers out there, it may be tempting to pop your pimple and relieve the puss. However, it’s vital to leave genital spots alone. Popping them can cause infection, make them even worse, and spread the bacteria.

If the spot is causing you issues, it may be helpful to go to a dermatologist to have them inspect the area and possibly pop properly.

Medication

Despite penis acne being practically the same as pimples on other areas of your body, you can’t treat them with over-the-counter medications. The skin on your gentiles is more sensitive and thinner, making standard acne relief products like salicylic acid too aggressive for the area. The use of regular acne products could result in more harm, like rashes or itchiness. You are likely already uncomfortable, and we don’t want to worsen it.

If you feel your pimples aren’t going away with proper hygiene care and are causing you discomfort, then it may be time to go to your doctor to see if they could prescribe you oral acne medication such as

• Antibiotics
• Isotretinoin Accutane (for severe and chronic cases)

If the pain from your acne spot is hindering your day to day life it could be helpful to take an antihistamine or ibuprofen to help temporarily alleviate the discomfort.

Warm Compress

If the spot is causing you irritation and discomfort you want to elevate quickly, it could be helpful to place a warm compress on the area. It will loosen up the puss and bacteria and pull them to the surface.

Penis Pimple Prevention

Preventing acne from forming in places we don’t want can be frustrating and either an easy fix or an uphill battle. However, if you still do a proper hygiene routine and identify what is causing you to break out, it will be much easier to help eliminate those stubborn spots. It’s important to remember results take time.

Practice Good Hygiene

Having a solid hygiene routine and showering multiple times a week using proper soap will help prevent pimples on penis. Investing in a men’s intimate wash is a good and safe option that may help clear up the area if you have never used it before. Using men’s intimate soap will help eliminate any oil, dead skin cells, and bacteria buildup that could be clogging your pores.

If you are a gym rat and love to sweat it out, you may be making yourself more susceptible to acne. The oil, dirt, and bacteria increase on your skin when you sweat. However, you don’t have to stop working out to prevent acne. There are ways to help prevent it while still working out, such as

• Showering immediately after
• Using cleansers safe for the area
• Using a baby wipe or intimate wipe for the area

Making sure you are changing your clothes and washing your bedding regularly also falls under the hygiene category. Bacteria can build up on your clothes or bedding and transfer onto your skin, leading to acne.

Wearing Loose-Fitting Clothing

If you are wearing clothes that are tight around the groin area often, there may be a chance that the friction against your skin could cause gentile acne. The constant conflict between skin and fabric can irritate, making your skin act out and poetically form some rash or acne.

If you have previously suffered from acne on the penis, it might be a good idea to try wearing clothes that aren’t so snug to see if that makes any difference for you and your skin.

When To See A Doctor

It can be hard to gauge when it’s time to see your doctor regarding acne. However, it could be more severe than just acne when it’s in a sensitive region such as the gentiles. Depending on your symptoms and if you aren’t 100% certain it’s a pimple, it’s time to see your doctor.

Depending on your symptoms, your pimple may be an STD. It’s best not to leave those untreated because overtime can cause even more health concerns. In situations concerning health, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

If you are confident that it’s acne but not sure whether or not it’s time to see the doc, there are a few tell signs to look out for, such as

1. If preventative measures aren’t working and they keep returning
2. You’ve tried all you can think of
3. If it’s taking a toll on your self-esteem
4. Your pimples are large and hard, filled with fluid (this means it’s likely cystic acne which is the most aggressive form)

Going to see your doctor may save you from prolonged agony when it comes to penis acne. Asking for help is never a bad thing.

Saying Goodbye To Unwanted Lumps and Bumps

When it comes to having a pimple on your penis, it’s important to remember it’s entirely normal and treatable. Anyone can get acne anywhere on the body, and the genital region is no exception. If you keep up with an excellent hygiene routine and try the preventative measures mentioned, you may be able to relieve your symptoms. However, going to the doctor for a second opinion is never wrong.