The penis may be subject to injury during sexual activity or sports. In uncircumcised males, a bacterial balanitis can occur. This usually will respond to good hygiene and topical antibiotics. All males could be subject to bacterial or viral infection of the penis that could occur from sexual activity. Human bites to the penis can transmit bacteria, or chafing from sex combined with poor hygiene could lead to local skin infection. Treatment could include topical or oral antibiotics. In contact sports, teens should be sure to wear an athletic cup to protect the penis from injury.
Contact allergies may affect the penis. The symptoms will include itchiness, burning and redness. Probably the most common contact allergy is a reaction to latex condoms. If this occurs, then discontinuing latex condoms and substituting natural skin condoms will be helpful. During sex, males also could react to lubricant jellies or nonoxynol-9 from condoms, other spermicides, feminine sprays or douches. It is important to find out the cause of the reaction and then avoid that substance.
Males who urinate in the outdoors could be subject to poison ivy dermatitis affecting the penis. This will also cause itchiness, blisters and redness. Males need to recognize poison ivy, oak and sumac plants. Topical anti-itch preparations including calamine lotion or over the counter hydrocortisone should give relief to the symptoms.
It is very rare in adolescents, but a malignant skin cancer called melanoma could occur on the penis. The amount of sunburn a child has sustained during his preadolescent years could affect the likelihood of developing a melanoma. Since most males do not sunbathe without a bathing suit or shorts, sunburn to the penis is less likely. Nonetheless, a male should utilize sunscreen on his genitals if he sunbathes in the nude. If a male develops a suspicious appearing mole on his penis, he should notify his physician.
