Care Advice
Mild Rash or Itching of Penis or Scrotum - Treatment
What You Should Know About Mild Penis or Scrotal Symptoms:
- Rashes can be caused by skin irritants. Hand-to-penis contact is normal when passing urine. Therefore, the rash is most likely from an irritant that was on the hands.
- Examples are a plant (such as an evergreen) or chemicals (such as bug repellents). Fiberglass, pet saliva or even food can also be irritants.
- Most small rashes can be treated at home.
- Here is some care advice that should help.
Clean the Area:
- Wash the area once with soap to remove any irritants.
Steroid Cream for Itching:
- For itchy rashes, use 1% hydrocortisone cream (such as Cortaid). No prescription is needed.
- Do this 2 times per day for a few days.
What to Expect:
- Mild rashes from irritants should go away in 1 to 2 days with treatment.
- Severe swelling and redness may take a week to resolve.
Prevention of Recurrent Symptoms:
- Teach your son to wash his hands if they are dirty.
- Have him wash his hands before touching his penis.
Call Your Doctor If:
- Rash spreads or gets worse
- Rash lasts more than 3 days
- Fever occurs
- You think your child needs to be seen
- Your child becomes worse
Smegma Questions
Smegma - General Information:
- Smegma is the small pieces of whitish material found under the foreskin. It can build up under the foreskin. This happens if the foreskin is not pulled back and cleaned regularly. See Foreskin Care Questions care guide.
- Smegma also can occur before the foreskin becomes retractable. It lies under the foreskin that is still stuck to the head of the penis. It can't be removed.
- Smegma is made up of dead skin cells. These cells are shed from the lining of the foreskin and the penis. It becomes trapped under the foreskin.
- Smegma is normal and harmless. It is not a sign of an infection. It is produced in small amounts throughout life.
Smegma Before Age 1 Year:
- Sometimes, smegma can be seen through the foreskin. It looks like small whitish lumps.
- If it lies beyond the level of foreskin retraction, it should be left alone.
- Wait until normal separation exposes it.
- During the first year of life, do not make any attempts at foreskin retraction.
Erection Questions
Normal Erections
- Erections in boys can occur at any age. They start in the newborn period.
- They tell us the nerves to the penis are working.
- In young boys, some are caused by a full bladder. Most occur without a clear reason.
- In teens, frequent erections start in puberty.
- Normal erections should not cause any pain.
Call Your Doctor If:
- Erection lasts over 1 hour
- Erection becomes painful
Remember! Contact your doctor if you or your child develop any "Contact Your Doctor" symptoms.