To some extent, having an itchy penis is part and parcel of being a man. It’s going to itch occasionally, but sometimes, there are specific reasons for that scratchy, uncomfortable feeling. If a man inspects his tool and discovers that it has some small, raised papules or bumps, these could be nothing more than penis pimples; but they could also signal a fairly common infection. Identifying whether these red spots are a sign of this infection, known as molluscum contagiosum (MC), enables a man to better tend to appropriate penis health treatment.
What is molluscum contagiosum?
It may have a daunting name, but molluscum contagiosum is actually a benign and fairly common problem. MC is a viral infection that produces small, red papules. It can occur just about anywhere on the body. Although MC is caused by a virus, in most people the virus remains based on the skin and does not otherwise circulate throughout the body.
The good news is that about the only effect caused by MC (other than the visual bumps) is itching. As with any itch, over-scratching can potentially lead to an infection; otherwise, the major drawback is simply the presence of the bumps. If the MC becomes widespread, it can be off-putting to others, especially potential sexual partners.
What causes it to spread?
MC is a very contagious virus that is easily spread through direct skin-to-skin contact. There have been concerns that it could possibly be transmitted from an infected person sharing a swimming pool, but studies have not found this to be the case.
In adults, the initial contact is most often through sexual activity; however, a man can easily spread the MC to other parts of his body. If he is inspecting his itchy penis and finds an MC bump, he is very likely to touch it. The virus may then pass onto his hand or fingers, and if he touches another part of his body before thoroughly washing his hands, MC infection may appear on that body part as well. Covering the affected areas with clothing or bandages can help prevent the spread, both to others and to other parts of the body.
With that in mind, it’s easy to see why a man with MC should inform any sexual partners of this fact, especially if the MC is on his penis; no one really wants to run the risk of the MC infecting the vagina or anus, after all.
How is MC treated?
Often MC is left untreated and simply goes away on its own, although this can take anywhere from 6 months to several years. If a man searches the internet, he can easily come across many treatments for MC; however, it’s much better to see a doctor for proper treatment. Many “home remedies” can actually end up causing pain or skin damage; when dealing with the penis, it’s especially advisable to avoid both of these outcomes!
Doctors usually recommend one of three methods for fighting MC infection:
- Freezing off the papules.
- Draining the papules of their fluids.
- Using a laser to kill off the bumps.
Although MC is a relatively harmless and benign issue, it can be a major inconvenience: after all, in some cases it may mean avoiding partner sex for a period of time, and that may make for a very unhappy penis.
Keeping the penis MC-free is not the only way to keep one’s member happy: maintaining good overall penis health is essential to that goal! One of the most effective ways to enhance penis health is through the regular use of a superior penis nutrient cream (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil). Selecting the best option means making sure that the cream has an appropriate range of vitamins and nutrients, including those such as shea butter and vitamin E that can provide adequate hydration and moisturization. It also is essential to choose a cream with ingredients that pay attention to penile cell metabolism, such as vitamin B5.