Five Causes of Penis Itching That Aren’t STDs
As soon as a man feels the first tingle of an itch in his pants, he might think: “Great. I have an STD.” It’s a very common assumption, and it can cause men a great deal of worry about their penis health. But before jumping to conclusions, men should know that there are a number of other issues that can cause a burning, uncomfortable, itchy penis that have nothing to do with STDs. Five of the most common are described here.
Lice
Pubic lice, which are often referred to as “crabs,” are tiny insects that may be found in the pubic hair. The bites from these insects can cause intense itching and discomfort.
While these creatures can sometimes spread from one body to another during sex, they can also survive on inanimate objects like towels and underwear. Thankfully, treatments with an insecticide can eliminate the lice fairly quickly.
Folliculitis
Hair follicles may not only provide a home for lice; they can also become infected, causing small, red bumps to form on the surface of the skin. These may resemble a rash or small pimples, and they can be extremely itchy.
There are several factors that can promote folliculitis, including:
– Tight-fitting clothing that chafes
– Sweat accumulating on unwashed skin
– Shaving
– Superficial skin injuries
Careful attention to hygiene and wearing breathable, yet supportive clothing is generally enough to resolve the issue. Using a quality moisturizer may also help to improve the tone and texture of the skin.
Scabies
As with pubic lice, scabies are caused by a skin infestation, but by a slightly different creature. In this case, mites are at the root of the problem. These may live anywhere on the skin; therefore, a man with scabies might have an itchy penis as a result, but he might also have itching in his groin, armpits or even his legs.
Skin-on-skin contact can spread scabies from one person to another; this means that it can be transferred during sexual contact, although it is not considered a sexually transmitted disease. Scabies may also be transferred on bed sheets, shared clothing or towels. An insecticide treatment is needed to eliminate the mites that cause scabies, and all bedding, clothing and other personal items also need to be thoroughly cleaned.
Dermatitis
There are no insects at the root of this condition, but the itch caused by dermatitis (also known as eczema) can be relentless; in addition, it may appear red and inflamed, and a rash may develop. Dermatitis can affect the skin anywhere on the body, including the genital area, and it can be triggered by irritants in the environment. Men who have family members with dermatitis, or those who have problems with various types of allergies, are more likely to develop the condition.
Dermatitis is generally treated with cortisone creams; these should be used as directed. Applying a moisturizing cream with vitamins E and/or A is often recommended to help relieve the itch and promote the formation of healthy skin cells.
The Message
Clearly, not everything that can cause an itchy penis has to do with a sexually transmitted disease. There are plenty of other things that can conspire to make the skin down there erupt with discomfort.
Staying clean and giving extra attention to hygiene can help men to avoid many of these problems; In fact, men who devote a little time each day to the overall condition of their penis by applying a penis health crème (health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil) could be doing their intimate skin a world of good. A formula that is rich in vitamins, amino acids and antioxidants, as well as quality moisturizers, can support healthy cellular function and leave the penis with a smooth, even skin tone.
Five Causes of Penis Itching That Aren’t STDs by John Dugan
