Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTypes of Penile EczemaFrequent Symptoms of Penile EczemaCauses and Risk FactorsWhen to See a Healthcare ProviderTreatment
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Types of Penile Eczema
Frequent Symptoms of Penile Eczema
Causes and Risk Factors
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Treatment
Eczema is a common condition that causes the skin to become red, inflamed, and itchy. About 10% of people haveeczema.Despite how common it is, many people don’t realize they can experience eczema on their genitals; this can present as penile eczema in males.
Many people are likely hesitant to talk aboutgenital eczema, but one study found that 45% of people with eczema have experienced an outbreak on their genitals.
Although the condition can be embarrassing, it’s important to recognize that you’re not alone in dealing with it. Genital eczema can be treated, and it’s safe to have sex even if you have eczema on your penis.
This article discusses the symptoms, causes, and treatment of eczema on the penis.
Compassionate Eye Foundation / Thomas Northcut / Getty Images
There are seven different types of eczema, four of which can appear on the genitals.They include:
The most common symptom of eczema on the penis is itching. You might also notice changes to the appearance of your skin. These symptoms indicate that you might have penile eczema:
Eczema can also affect the scrotum, groin, skin around the anus, and the skin between the buttocks.
Many eczema symptoms can mimic other conditions, including:
Because of this, it’s important to see a healthcare provider for a proper diagnosis of eczema. Although this might be uncomfortable for you, it’s essential to make sure you’re not dealing with a more serious condition like an STI.
In general, people with any of the following conditions are more likely to have eczema:
Eczema on the penis can look like other conditions includingSTIsor ayeast infection.A healthcare provider will be able to give you a proper diagnosis and connect you with the treatment you need.
Seeing a healthcare provider can also help prevent further complications.
Having eczema can cause your skin to crack. This removes some of the protective functions of the skin and can put you at increased risk of infection.Because of that, people who have eczema are more likely to have infections including herpes and staph infection.
The following symptoms can indicate an infection. If you have them, reach out to your medical provider immediately:
Mental Health ComplicationsPeople with genital eczema say that the condition takes a toll on their quality of life.Speak to a healthcare provider. They will be able to make suggestions to help you maintain your quality of life even with this chronic condition.
Mental Health Complications
People with genital eczema say that the condition takes a toll on their quality of life.Speak to a healthcare provider. They will be able to make suggestions to help you maintain your quality of life even with this chronic condition.
People with genital eczema say that the condition takes a toll on their quality of life.
Speak to a healthcare provider. They will be able to make suggestions to help you maintain your quality of life even with this chronic condition.
Eczema is a chronic condition, meaning that it comes and goes throughout a lifetime and is not often cured. However, both over-the-counter and prescription medications can help treat eczema.
Over-the-Counter (OTC) Medication
Over-the-counter medications are effective at treating eczema. However, since the skin on the penis is particularly sensitive, it’s always a good idea to talk to a healthcare provider or pharmacist before using over-the-counter treatments on your penis.
Common over-the-counter treatments for eczema include:
Prescription Medications
In addition to over-the-counter medications, a healthcare provider might prescribe medicines to treat your genital eczema.
Theseprescription treatmentsmay include:
Home Remedies and Lifestyle
Although it’s critical to seek treatment for eczema, there are also steps you can take at home to keep your eczema under control. In general, wearing loose-fitting clothing, avoiding chemicals or irritants, and moisturizing the skin can all help alleviate eczema symptoms.
The following remedies and lifestyle adjustments can help you manage eczema on the penis:
PreventionIf you have contact dermatitis on your penis, it can be helpful to keep a journal of when flare-ups occur. Over time, this will help you identify the trigger for your eczema so you can avoid it.
Prevention
If you have contact dermatitis on your penis, it can be helpful to keep a journal of when flare-ups occur. Over time, this will help you identify the trigger for your eczema so you can avoid it.
Intimacy Tips
It is perfectly safe to have sex when you have eczema on your penis.
Since eczema is not contagious, you don’t need to worry about passing it to your partner. However, if the outbreak is new, it’s important to see a healthcare provider first to ensure that this is, in fact, eczema, and not an STI that you could pass to your partner.
However, there are some things to keep in mind about having sex with eczema on your penis:
One of the biggest challenges of having sex with genital eczema can be starting an open and honest conversation with your partner.
Before you start having sex, tell your partner what is going on. Let them know that you’re in contact with your doctor, and that sex with eczema is safe. If your doctor diagnosed you with STIs, let your partner know. You should also tell your partner if there are any ways in which they should not touch you because of your eczema.
Summary
If you’re one of the 10% of Americans who have eczema, it’s important to recognize that you have about a 45% chance of experiencing eczema on your penis. Symptoms may include itching, swelling, redness, blisters, and more.
Although that can be alarming, there is good news: Eczema on the penis can be easily controlled with topical treatments, and it’s still perfectly safe to have sex and use contraceptives even with eczema.
12 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Eczema Association.Eczema stats.Woo, Yu Ri.Real-world prevalence and burden of genital eczema in atopic dermatitis: A multicenter questionnaire-based study.Journal of Dermatology. March 5, 2021. doi:10.1111/1346-8138.15817National Eczema Society.Male genital eczema.National Eczema Association.An overview of the different types of eczema.National Eczema Association.What is eczema?Norton Children’s.Genital dermatitis in boys: What parents should know.Siegfried E, Hebert A.Diagnosis of atopic dermatitis: mimics, overlaps, and complications.JCM. 2015;4(5):884-917. doi:10.3390/jcm4050884National Eczema Association.Conditions related to eczema.National Eczema Association.Over-the-counter treatments for eczema.National Eczema Society.Emollients.National Eczema Association.Available eczema treatments.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Home remedies: What can relieve itchy eczema?
12 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Eczema Association.Eczema stats.Woo, Yu Ri.Real-world prevalence and burden of genital eczema in atopic dermatitis: A multicenter questionnaire-based study.Journal of Dermatology. March 5, 2021. doi:10.1111/1346-8138.15817National Eczema Society.Male genital eczema.National Eczema Association.An overview of the different types of eczema.National Eczema Association.What is eczema?Norton Children’s.Genital dermatitis in boys: What parents should know.Siegfried E, Hebert A.Diagnosis of atopic dermatitis: mimics, overlaps, and complications.JCM. 2015;4(5):884-917. doi:10.3390/jcm4050884National Eczema Association.Conditions related to eczema.National Eczema Association.Over-the-counter treatments for eczema.National Eczema Society.Emollients.National Eczema Association.Available eczema treatments.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Home remedies: What can relieve itchy eczema?
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Eczema Association.Eczema stats.Woo, Yu Ri.Real-world prevalence and burden of genital eczema in atopic dermatitis: A multicenter questionnaire-based study.Journal of Dermatology. March 5, 2021. doi:10.1111/1346-8138.15817National Eczema Society.Male genital eczema.National Eczema Association.An overview of the different types of eczema.National Eczema Association.What is eczema?Norton Children’s.Genital dermatitis in boys: What parents should know.Siegfried E, Hebert A.Diagnosis of atopic dermatitis: mimics, overlaps, and complications.JCM. 2015;4(5):884-917. doi:10.3390/jcm4050884National Eczema Association.Conditions related to eczema.National Eczema Association.Over-the-counter treatments for eczema.National Eczema Society.Emollients.National Eczema Association.Available eczema treatments.American Academy of Dermatology Association.Home remedies: What can relieve itchy eczema?
National Eczema Association.Eczema stats.
Woo, Yu Ri.Real-world prevalence and burden of genital eczema in atopic dermatitis: A multicenter questionnaire-based study.Journal of Dermatology. March 5, 2021. doi:10.1111/1346-8138.15817
National Eczema Society.Male genital eczema.
National Eczema Association.An overview of the different types of eczema.
National Eczema Association.What is eczema?
Norton Children’s.Genital dermatitis in boys: What parents should know.
Siegfried E, Hebert A.Diagnosis of atopic dermatitis: mimics, overlaps, and complications.JCM. 2015;4(5):884-917. doi:10.3390/jcm4050884
National Eczema Association.Conditions related to eczema.
National Eczema Association.Over-the-counter treatments for eczema.
National Eczema Society.Emollients.
National Eczema Association.Available eczema treatments.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Home remedies: What can relieve itchy eczema?
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
