Dry skin on your hands or feet is annoying. Dry, flaky skin on your penis is a whole other story. First, it can cause panic as you think your skin will peel away, layer by layer. Then come the itching and redness that make the area raw. The good news is it’s easy to fix flaky skin on the penis. Simply check out the common causes of dry penile skin below to find out what’s causing it, and best of all, how to fix it and prevent it in the future.
1) Chemical-Filled, Drying Soaps – Dry penile skin is often the end result of using harsh soaps that strip the skin of their natural moisture. Avoid cleansers containing ingredients such as sodium lauryl sulfates (SLS), lye, polypropylene, and triclosan. The best rule of thumb is to use baby products or those that are all-natural to prevent flaky skin on the penis and everywhere else!
2) Contact Dermatitis – Contact dermatitis is a skin sensitivity to a foreign agent in a man’s environment, which causes the skin to become red, irritated, and dry. Things that often cause these flare-ups include new detergents, powders, body washes, and moisturizers. Condoms, lube, and spermicide can also lead to allergic reactions. To cure it, just wash the area regularly with just warm water or maybe add a mild cleanser. If the symptoms are too much, Benadryl and ibuprofen can be used.
3) Balanitis – If your stuff is stinky, it may be balanitis, a bacterial overgrowth caused by not washing the head of the penis adequately or often enough. It can also be caused by failing to rinse off harsh soaps or cleaning agents. Treatment begins and ends with meticulous cleaning of the area one or more times each day. Some doctors will also prescribe antibiotics, an anti-fungal cream, a steroid cream, or a combination of all the above.
4) Psoriasis – Psoriasis is a skin disease that produces red, scaly areas on the skin. See a doctor or dermatologist for diagnosis and a cortisone cream to treat the area.
5) Eczema – Eczema is a skin disease that causes the skin to become dry, inflamed, or irritated. When it occurs on the penis, it’s probably on other places on the body too. Treat the area with an over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream as indicated by a doctor or pharmacist. Also, moisturize the area once or more each day, and try to avoid excessive contact with water to prevent further drying.
6) Yeast Infection – Also known as candida, a yeast infection can produce dry penile skin and can cause other not-so-fun predicaments such as rash, redness on the head of the penis, chunky discharge under the foreskin, and dry, white patches on the skin. Yeast infections can also make it quite painful to be intimate or urinate. Use an over-the-counter anti-fungal cream on the glans of the penis (and under the foreskin if needed) until it clears up. Please don’t get it on with a partner or yourself until it’s gone. Also, yeast infections are contagious, so tell your partner you have one. Chances are, they may too.
7) Compression Obsession – Too tight pants, underwear, or shorts can lead to some pretty painful chaffing of the penile skin, potentially leading to a rash and flaky skin on the penis. Pull a Winnie the Pooh and go sans pants for a little while every day to air out your junk. When wearing bottoms, be sure to wear looser, breathable materials.
8) Failure to Lube Up for Fun Times – Extreme and prolonged sexual activity without proper lubrication can trigger flaky skin on the penis to form. All men should do their best to stop this from happening by simply using a water-based lubricant.
Stop Flaky Skin on the Penis With Good Hygiene Habits
If there is one thing a man can do to keep his penis in good health, it’s a simple but consistent genital grooming routine. Methodically cleanse the penis daily using light pressure and a mild cleanser. Moisturize the penis often to preserve softness and elasticity. Keep the area dry and choose breathable fabrics that prevent moisture and bacteria, and opt for fitted pants instead of tight trousers to avoid skin irritation and chaffing.
To keep penile skin smooth, soft, and toned, use a specially formulated penis health oil (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which has been clinically proven safe and mild for skin) every day. Full of nutrients, vitamins, and moisturizers, these tailored oils are made explicitly to promote penis good health and feel. Only use products with ingredients like vitamins A, C, D, and E, all of which are renowned for their skin-soothing and rejuvenating properties.