Friction Burn On Penis – Causes, Treatment & Prevention
This article examines how to treat a friction burn on the penis as well as common causes and prevention. This way, you can determine whether you need to seek professional medical help.
Friction burn occurs when the top layer of the skin scrapes another surface by rubbing the skin. It can be painful, no matter where it is on the body. If you have one on your penis, one of the most sensitive areas on your body, it can feel very sore and cause you concern.
What Causes Friction Burn On The Penis
Friction burns on the penis can be caused by intense rubbing during sex, masturbation, or even drying too hard with a towel after a shower. It can also happen when the skin of your penis rubs against something else.
You can get friction burns on your penis if you wear tight-fitting clothing while exercising. Tight underwear or shorts can rub against your penis during running or other physical exercises, leading to friction burns.
It is important to recognize the signs of friction burn on the penis so that a person can distinguish them from more serious health problems such as sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Friction burns on the penis have symptoms similar to friction burns in other parts of the body. Symptoms of friction burn include:
- Reddish or swollen skin around the penis
- An area of skin that looks inflamed or scraped off
- Heat or burning pain
These symptoms can also occur as a result of other serious problems. For example, the following conditions and diseases can cause pain and discoloration of the penis:
- Gonorrhea
- Chlamydia
- Herpes
- Syphilis
- Yeast infection
Other symptoms of serious health problems may include:
- Discharge of the penis head (yellow, green, or watery),
- Itching of the penis head
- Painful, swollen testicles
- Burning when urinating
A person with any of the above symptoms should consult their doctor as soon as possible.
Friction burns caused by masturbation or sexual intercourse are more likely to occur in people who do not use lubrication.
Other possible causes of friction burns on the penis are aggressive or excessive masturbation or sexual interactions, wearing tight clothes that rub against the penis while exercising, or drying the penis with a coarse towel.
How To Treat Friction Burn On The Penis
The best cure for most friction conditions is simply time and rest. Smaller burns usually heal in about a week. During this time, you should wear loose-fitting, breathable underwear or clothing made of soft fabric.
You don’t want to wear anything that rubs or irritates your penis. If necessary, apply a gentle moisturiser (Vaseline or aloe vera) to the skin of your penis.
Buy a moisturiser like petroleum jelly or aloe vera gel. See a doctor if the affected skin area drains pus (yellow or white discharge). This can be a sign of infection. Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics, creams, or ointments to aid healing.
You should refrain from sexual activities, especially masturbation until your skin has had time to heal. If you resume your activity too early, it can worsen your symptoms and lead to further complications.
To avoid friction burns in the future, you should be gentle with yourself when masturbating or having sex and be sure to use a lubricant. If your penis hurts, stop what you’re doing or at least decrease the intensity. Use a water-based lubricant or a condom alongside a lubricant with your partner(s) during sex or solo play to reduce friction.
How To Prevent Friction Burn On The Penis
Here are a few more tips to prevent penis irritation:
Wash your penis daily during showering with warm water and soap (use mild, unscented soap, preferably made of gentle or natural ingredients). Wash the tip of your penis and testicles thoroughly. If your foreskin is intact, pull it back for thorough washing.
Wearing a latex condom is one of the best ways to protect yourself from sexually transmitted diseases. If you have more than one partner, wear it every time you have sex. But make sure you put one on properly. Condoms that break or leak do not protect you or your partner from sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancy.
Look out for a thick white substance under your foreskin called smegma. Bacteria accumulate here, which can multiply and cause infections. Be sure to clean this area gently and thoroughly.
- Ask your doctor for advice on how to prevent yeast infections.
- Pat yourself dry, but don’t rub with a towel.
- If you have diabetes, make sure it is under control.
Friction burn on your penis can feel catastrophic, but the prognosis can occur for various reasons. Occasionally, other factors can contribute to the irritation of the penis, such as things like certain allergies or skin infections.
However, once your doctor has ruled these conditions out and you have treated the wound with care, friction burn can be easily managed and prevented.
If any of the above suggestions do not get you through the healing process, you should contact your doctor to learn more about your condition and what to do next.
