Patient's question:
I recently don't know what's going on, my lower body is very uncomfortable, and I'm not getting morning erections anymore. What are the small bubbles growing on my penis?Doctor's answer:
In daily life, many young and middle-aged men often go to the hospital due to one or several needle-sized, pearl-like papules appearing on their glans. Some worry about tumors, while others fear sexually transmitted diseases, causing them great anxiety. In fact, there are many common conditions affecting the glans, not all of which are tumors or sexually transmitted diseases. Therefore, it is important to understand common glans conditions.Pearl Papule Disease of the Penis: The cause is not yet clear, and diagnosis primarily relies on the distribution and morphology of the rash. There is no specific treatment for this condition, and it does not require treatment. The most important thing for individuals with this condition is to recognize it and overcome their fear and worry. This condition has no impact on health or the physiological function of the penis.
Leukoplakia: White patches of varying shapes can appear on the glans, some completely white, some lighter in color. They are painless and itchy, with smooth surfaces and no other accompanying rashes. The surrounding skin may appear darker. There is no specific treatment for this condition, but it often resolves on its own. Since leukoplakia of the glans is associated with chronic irritation from smegma, and the patches may have the potential to become malignant, individuals with phimosis or excessive prepuce should undergo circumcision as soon as possible.
Erythroplasia: This condition presents as one or multiple red patches on the glans, which can be round, annular, or irregular in shape. The borders are clear, and the patches are slightly elevated and firm, with a shiny surface. Sometimes, they may develop erosion, crusts, or papillary hyperplasia. The condition may remain unchanged for years or may progress to cancer. Erythroplasia primarily occurs in individuals with excessive prepuce, suggesting a link to chronic irritation from smegma.
Cutaneous Horns: These appear as conical, matchstick- or chopstick-sized protrusions on the glans, with a brown or grayish-brown color and hard texture. It is believed that they form as proliferative growths of keratinocytes on inflamed glans tissue. Cutaneous horns are considered a precancerous lesion. Due to their prominent features, diagnosis is straightforward. Treatment involves local excision. It should be noted that individuals with cutaneous horns on the glans should seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Angioedema: Similar to hives, this is an acute allergic reaction of the glans to food, medications, or insect bites. The condition may affect only the glans or occur alongside hives. Children are particularly prone to glans edema, which presents as severe swelling and a shiny appearance of the prepuce, resembling large blisters. However, it does not affect urination. The condition often occurs at night, with minimal itching and no systemic discomfort, and may resolve on its own within a few days. Diagnosis and treatment of glans-prepuce angioedema are relatively simple. Local cleanliness and dryness should be maintained, and if necessary, a light rinse with 1:1000 povidone-iodine can be applied. Individuals with concurrent systemic hives may take diphenhydramine or hydroxyzine under medical guidance.
Fixed Drug Eruption: This condition often develops suddenly within a day or even minutes after taking sulfonamide, barbiturate, or analgesic medications. It presents as a circular or oval plaque on the glans, with varying sizes. The center appears purplish-red and swollen, while the surrounding area is red. Local itching or burning may occur. In severe cases, the center quickly develops into blisters, which rupture to form wet, necrotic areas that may take over a decade to heal, often leaving hyperpigmentation that gradually fades over months to a year. Subsequent exposure to the allergenic drug will cause recurrent rashes, and the affected area may expand. If the condition develops, the allergenic drug should be stopped immediately. Mild cases may be treated with topical antibiotics, while severe cases require prompt medical attention.