Pimple on Penis

Can you get pimples on your penis?

Pimples can happen just about anywhere on your body, including your penis. But several normal skin traits can look like pimples without actually being a condition. And there are several skin conditions that look very similar to pimples, but they need medical care to resolve them.

If the thought of talking to your healthcare provider about a pimple on your penis makes you feel anxious or embarrassed, you’re far from alone. But their job is to care for your health and well-being, not make you feel judged. And if you tell them how you’re feeling about the situation, they can reassure you and help you feel more at ease.

What can cause a pimple on my penis?

You can have pimple-like bumps on your penis for normal reasons. One example of those are pearly penile papules, a series of tiny bumps around the head of your penis. Another would be having one or more enlarged oil glands on your penis called Fordyce spots. These aren’t actually pimples, but can look a lot like them. Both of these are completely normal and harmless.

Acne is a common cause of pimples on any area of skin that has oil or sebaceous glands (pronounced “she-BAY-shus glands”). It’s especially common to have acne because of hormone changes during puberty. And while it isn’t common to have acne on your penis, it’s still possible.

True pimples happen when something blocks a hair follicle or the connected sebaceous gland. That can happen because of the natural oils in your skin, ingrown hairs or for other reasons. They’re usually harmless unless they become infected.

Other conditions that can cause a pimple-like bump on your penis include:

• Sexually transmitted viruses like herpes simplex virus or human papillomavirus (HPV)
• Sexually transmitted bacterial infections like syphilis
• Poxviruses like molluscum contagiosum or mpox
• Yeast-caused skin infections like candidiasis
• Skin mites that cause scabies
• Rare, infection-related diseases like Fournier’s gangrene (which is a medical emergency)
• Penile cancer (rare)

Any of the above can cause a single, pimple-like bump. But several of them are more likely to cause multiple bumps, a rash or other skin changes.

What are the treatment options for a pimple on my penis?

The treatment for a pimple on your penis depends strongly on what caused it. True pimples usually don’t need treatment and will go away on their own. Others need more specific treatments. Your healthcare provider can tell you what the treatment options are for your case. They can also tell you if self-treating is an option and guide you on how to do that.

What are the possible complications or risks of not treating a pimple on my penis?

The complications from a pimple on your penis also depend on what caused it. Some conditions or issues that look like pimples don’t need any treatment and don’t have any risk of complications. Your healthcare provider is the best person to tell you about the possible complications — if any — and what you can do to limit or avoid them.

What not to do

If you have a true pimple on your penis, there are some things that you should avoid:

• Washing too often. Don’t wash the affected skin more than twice a day. Washing too often can irritate the skin more.
• Popping or squeezing pimples. This can cause scarring, and breaking the skin can increase your risk of developing an infection.

Can I prevent getting a pimple on my penis?

You can’t prevent developing a pimple on your penis with 100% certainty. But you can do several things to reduce your risk of developing a pimple or something that resembles one. They include:

• Wash your clothing and bedding regularly. Conditions like scabies can spread through clothing and bedding that isn’t washed properly or regularly.
• Use safe sex practices. These lower the odds of developing pimple-like symptoms of sexually transmitted infections.
• Get vaccinated for HPV. The vaccine can prevent warts from HPV, which can look very similar to pimples.
• Change out of sweaty clothes. This can help prevent sweat and dirt from irritating sensitive skin.
• Wash your penis regularly. Using mild soap to clean your penis regularly can help wash away oil, sweat and dead skin cells that could clog your pores.
• Use clippers instead of a razor to groom. This can help you avoid skin issues like ingrown hairs and razor burn.
• Wear the right undergarments. Looser underwear, especially made of breathable fabrics, can help you feel more comfortable and avoid skin issues.

When should this symptom be treated by a doctor or healthcare provider?

If you have what you think is a pimple on your penis and have any concerns about it, you should talk to your primary care provider. They can either determine what it is or recommend additional lab tests that’ll help them do so.