It happens to the best of men. A long weekend of love making, a pair of especially rough trousers, or too much strenuous activity can cause a chafed penis. Redness, stinging, discomfort, and unbearable warmth radiating from the groin makes it hard to concentrate, walk, or even wear pants. Suggestions like wearing breathable fabrics, using soaps and detergents free of dyes and irritants, and keeping the penis moisturized are all good grooming practices to avoid chafing. However, even men who exhibit the best grooming practices can be caught off-guard. Happily, chafing is treated easily with home remedies, but the drawback is that they take time to work, because the penis needs times to heal. To help the healing along, here are a few common-sense and effective ways to treat this painful problem.
1) Give it a vacation – Penis chafing caused by too much friction from sexual activity calls for a moratorium on lovemaking. Give it time and space and “let it breathe.” Many men opt to “go commando” and not wear clothing or underwear at home when dealing with a chafed penis. A good rule of thumb is to reduce penile contact with everything to hasten the healing process.
2) Wear loose clothing – While a chafed penis is very uncomfortable, it probably isn’t a reason to call in to work. Men can manage the irritation in their everyday routines by wearing loose-fitting underwear and pants in breathable fabrics like cotton. Avoid anything that’s tight while the penis is chafed and irritated so that it can heal.
3) Chill out – A chafed penis is generally uncomfortably warm and red. To find some relief, cool things down with a cold compress or cool bath. Simply soak a clean, soft washcloth in cold water, wring it out, and then drape it on the penis. When the washcloth starts to warm up again, rinse it with cool water again and continue until satisfied. For a more intense cool, use an icepack wrapped in a soft dry washcloth.
4) Use a natural moisturizer – As the irritation reduces and the chafing heals, it will begin to itch. To lessen the itch and stay on track with healing, use a natural moisturizer to keep the penis well hydrated and calm any irritation. Great natural moisturizers include Shea butter, cocoa butter, coconut oil, and vitamin E oil. They are super moisturizing and don’t have irritants or chemicals. Aloe, in gel or directly from the plant, is also a wonderful soother.
5) Use a topical antibiotic – If the penis is chafed and also has one or more small cuts or scratches, use a topical antibiotic such as Neosporin or a triple antibiotic. This will allow the cuts to heal and avoid infection. Also, while being treated, has as little contact as possible with the area to keep irritation to a minimum.
If the chafing worsens or isn’t healing, seek medical attention. A doctor can identify if there is an infection or skin issue that needs a more aggressive course of treatment.
In addition to the remedies above, a specially formulated penis health crème (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which has been clinically proven safe and mild for skin) can be beneficial for healing a chafed penis. In addition to Shea butter and vitamin E, this crème also contains other ingredients specifically designated for penis health. It contains L-Carnitine which has been shown to protect against peripheral nerve damage caused by friction. It also contains vitamin C, a critical component of collagen, which promotes elasticity. Regular use can rejuvenate and hydrate delicate penis skin that’s been the victim of chafing.