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What Causes Dark Spots On Penis?
Question: What are these markings?
What causes dark spots on penis?
I have had these markings for 7 years.
What causes dark spots on penis?
I have had these markings for 7 years.
Brief Answer:
Post inflammatory hypopigmentation or PIH.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome and thanks for posting your query to the forum.
I can understand your concern for the spots on the penile skin.
After analyzing your picture with best diligence let me reassure you first that these are simple pigmentary spots known as post inflammatory hypopigmentation or PIH.
To tell you simply about this condition - our skin contains special color producing cells known as melanocytes. These continuously secret color in the skin. In case of any injury or inflammatory process these tend to produce more color. As the penile skin is very thin so it has got more tendency as well as more prominent of these cells.
In your case as we can see that the spots are quite dark which emphasise the previous inflammatory episode 7 years back. This is very commonly seen entity and never cause any future problems.
The only concern is cosmetic appearance of the area. In my patients I suggest them to relax for the same as we can't apply any depigementing agent because of thin nature of the skin.
I reassure you again that this common and simple condition without any future implications.
I hope this helps.
With regards,
Dr Sanjay Kanodia
MD - DERMATOLOGY & Sexually transmitted diseases
Post inflammatory hypopigmentation or PIH.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome and thanks for posting your query to the forum.
I can understand your concern for the spots on the penile skin.
After analyzing your picture with best diligence let me reassure you first that these are simple pigmentary spots known as post inflammatory hypopigmentation or PIH.
To tell you simply about this condition - our skin contains special color producing cells known as melanocytes. These continuously secret color in the skin. In case of any injury or inflammatory process these tend to produce more color. As the penile skin is very thin so it has got more tendency as well as more prominent of these cells.
In your case as we can see that the spots are quite dark which emphasise the previous inflammatory episode 7 years back. This is very commonly seen entity and never cause any future problems.
The only concern is cosmetic appearance of the area. In my patients I suggest them to relax for the same as we can't apply any depigementing agent because of thin nature of the skin.
I reassure you again that this common and simple condition without any future implications.
I hope this helps.
With regards,
Dr Sanjay Kanodia
MD - DERMATOLOGY & Sexually transmitted diseases
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Thank you Dr. Why would one dr say eczema and another say frictional scaring? It seems like different answering in comparison to your diagnosis.
Brief Answer:
Frictional scar and PIH are interrelated.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome and thanks for your further follow up.
In my opinion I agree with the doctor giving the diagnosis of frictional scars. The part of frictional scars and post inflammatory hyperpigmentation are interrelated. I quite often see patients with frictional scars eventually turning into post inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Scars can later on form PIH.
I disagree with the part of an eczema over the area. It is because of the fact that penile skin and that too tip and glans along with surrounding skin are not the cooking sites for eczematous condition . Further speaking even if we consider an eczema then is not present in streak like pattern. Streak like pattern is most often seen in frictional conditions. Last but not the least an eczematous condition always has a tendency for increase productivity decrease or subside completely to have total normal appearance.
So I reassure you again that the condition is totally benign and normal one.
I hope this helps.
With regards
Dr Sanjay Kanodia
MD
Frictional scar and PIH are interrelated.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome and thanks for your further follow up.
In my opinion I agree with the doctor giving the diagnosis of frictional scars. The part of frictional scars and post inflammatory hyperpigmentation are interrelated. I quite often see patients with frictional scars eventually turning into post inflammatory hyperpigmentation. Scars can later on form PIH.
I disagree with the part of an eczema over the area. It is because of the fact that penile skin and that too tip and glans along with surrounding skin are not the cooking sites for eczematous condition . Further speaking even if we consider an eczema then is not present in streak like pattern. Streak like pattern is most often seen in frictional conditions. Last but not the least an eczematous condition always has a tendency for increase productivity decrease or subside completely to have total normal appearance.
So I reassure you again that the condition is totally benign and normal one.
I hope this helps.
With regards
Dr Sanjay Kanodia
MD
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Deepak
Thank you Dr, yes the other Drs commented were desquamated lesions following frictional injury. He also said if you focus on the "whitish" area, that would be the hyper pigmentation.
I believe your background is more advanced and it is reassuring to hear your diagnosis. I am already an concerned person in life and was starting to have crazy thoughts on what this could be.
Thank you for letting me know it is in no way an STD..but let me just ask this, could this be scaring from a STD outbreak that happened years ago? I tested negative for all STDs but was only visually inspected for herpes and at the time that Dr said these same markings were eczema. I really have no concern that it was ever and STD but my main concern is always thinking that when I look at it. To me, there should be no markings are stressed skin on the penis, and when you see it, you think "do I have an STD?". Im sure you can relate if you had these markings on your penis.
I have tried almost everything to have the markings and discoloration go away with no luck. Do recommend anything specific? Any cosmetic methods like laser or dermabrasion? I want my penis to have a normal look like it once did before these markings appeared.
I believe your background is more advanced and it is reassuring to hear your diagnosis. I am already an concerned person in life and was starting to have crazy thoughts on what this could be.
Thank you for letting me know it is in no way an STD..but let me just ask this, could this be scaring from a STD outbreak that happened years ago? I tested negative for all STDs but was only visually inspected for herpes and at the time that Dr said these same markings were eczema. I really have no concern that it was ever and STD but my main concern is always thinking that when I look at it. To me, there should be no markings are stressed skin on the penis, and when you see it, you think "do I have an STD?". Im sure you can relate if you had these markings on your penis.
I have tried almost everything to have the markings and discoloration go away with no luck. Do recommend anything specific? Any cosmetic methods like laser or dermabrasion? I want my penis to have a normal look like it once did before these markings appeared.
Brief Answer:
Various suggestions for PIH marks.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome back and thanks for your further follow up.
I guided you before that the condition has got no correlation with any STDs. I reassure you with the best of my experience that none of the Sexually transmitted disease manifest or have sequel in such a manner. You can see that these are linear markings. Such kind of PIH markings are common in simple cuts or frictional ulcers.
Herpes in particular either don't leave such kind of PIH marks or if at all have marks then are in circular grouped manner. So I firmly reassure you for nonexistence of any Sexually transmitted infection including herpes.
For the part of cosmetic appearance or the physical appearance of the area - in my patients I reassure them that it is normal and natural to have such kind of marks. As the skin is a very thin and fragile, so using any mode of therapy could cause further irritation or ulceration and complications.
I reassure you fully for the simple nature of this condition.
My best wishes for your healthy life.
Various suggestions for PIH marks.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome back and thanks for your further follow up.
I guided you before that the condition has got no correlation with any STDs. I reassure you with the best of my experience that none of the Sexually transmitted disease manifest or have sequel in such a manner. You can see that these are linear markings. Such kind of PIH markings are common in simple cuts or frictional ulcers.
Herpes in particular either don't leave such kind of PIH marks or if at all have marks then are in circular grouped manner. So I firmly reassure you for nonexistence of any Sexually transmitted infection including herpes.
For the part of cosmetic appearance or the physical appearance of the area - in my patients I reassure them that it is normal and natural to have such kind of marks. As the skin is a very thin and fragile, so using any mode of therapy could cause further irritation or ulceration and complications.
I reassure you fully for the simple nature of this condition.
My best wishes for your healthy life.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you. I understand it is non STD related.
Would you rule out lichen planus as well? Just wanted to let you know another Dr said lichen planus.
Since you seem to have the highest level of experience and education per my look for answers online I wanted to let you know what another Dr said from this website.
Would you rule out lichen planus as well? Just wanted to let you know another Dr said lichen planus.
Since you seem to have the highest level of experience and education per my look for answers online I wanted to let you know what another Dr said from this website.
Brief Answer:
Further information for your condition.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome back and thanks for your further swift follow up with queries.
A simple of the thing which you should understand is that any of the inflammatory conditions could lead eventually to post inflammatory hyperpigmentation. We can't deduce the exact cause of present PIH condition just by it's appearance or the present morphology.
So in my opinion I would not like to commit it to any condition including Lichen planus too. I better would like to perform a skin biopsy before designating as the autoimmune condition of lichen planus. There are also multiple points of symptoms related to itching or burning or irritation over the affected area before designating as lichen planus.
Presently it is better to simply designate it as PIH for the academic or clinical purpose.
Anyhow whatever the further feedbacks or diagnosis you have got, there must not be any Sexually transmitted infection in the picture which makes all the things even more simpler for you !!!
I hope this allays all your anxieties regarding the condition.
My good health wishes to you.
With regards,
Dr Sanjay Kanodia
MD-DERMATOLOGY & Sexually transmitted diseases
Further information for your condition.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome back and thanks for your further swift follow up with queries.
A simple of the thing which you should understand is that any of the inflammatory conditions could lead eventually to post inflammatory hyperpigmentation. We can't deduce the exact cause of present PIH condition just by it's appearance or the present morphology.
So in my opinion I would not like to commit it to any condition including Lichen planus too. I better would like to perform a skin biopsy before designating as the autoimmune condition of lichen planus. There are also multiple points of symptoms related to itching or burning or irritation over the affected area before designating as lichen planus.
Presently it is better to simply designate it as PIH for the academic or clinical purpose.
Anyhow whatever the further feedbacks or diagnosis you have got, there must not be any Sexually transmitted infection in the picture which makes all the things even more simpler for you !!!
I hope this allays all your anxieties regarding the condition.
My good health wishes to you.
With regards,
Dr Sanjay Kanodia
MD-DERMATOLOGY & Sexually transmitted diseases
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Dr, oddly enough about 2 weeks ago I noticed a small gential wart present on my scrotum. I froze it off with some wart remover. It went away but remained faintly red. I imagine the freezing was a little harsh on the sensitive scrotum skin. But about a week ago this bump formed. It almost appears like a pimple that can be popped but it's not, it almost feels cyst like. Only in the scrotum skin but firm.
What do you think it could be? I have added a new photo.
What do you think it could be? I have added a new photo.
Brief Answer:
Simple cyst formation. Do not try to pinch or pop.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome back and thanks for your further follow up.
The area of concern at the scrotal area appears to be a cystic change after the application of wart solution. It is occurs due to formation of a wall in the skin. It is quite usual to form such kind structure at any healing site.
After the application of wart solution the superficial burnt part falls off and underlying skin becomes slightly more proliferative to form a cyst like structure.
It becomes normal in most of the cases in few weeks. If still it remains the same or increase then could be removed by radio frequency ablation.
I suggest you to wait and watch for couple of weeks. Further I suggest you to not to touch or pinch or pop the area as can get secondarily infected.
I hope this helps.
With regards,
Dr Sanjay Kanodia
MD - DERMATOLOGY & Sexually transmitted diseases
Simple cyst formation. Do not try to pinch or pop.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome back and thanks for your further follow up.
The area of concern at the scrotal area appears to be a cystic change after the application of wart solution. It is occurs due to formation of a wall in the skin. It is quite usual to form such kind structure at any healing site.
After the application of wart solution the superficial burnt part falls off and underlying skin becomes slightly more proliferative to form a cyst like structure.
It becomes normal in most of the cases in few weeks. If still it remains the same or increase then could be removed by radio frequency ablation.
I suggest you to wait and watch for couple of weeks. Further I suggest you to not to touch or pinch or pop the area as can get secondarily infected.
I hope this helps.
With regards,
Dr Sanjay Kanodia
MD - DERMATOLOGY & Sexually transmitted diseases
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Brief Answer:
Warts at genital area is mostly due to sexual transmission.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome back and thanks for your swift follow up.
The most common mode of wart infection is through sexual transmission. Less commonly it can occur from non sexual mode meaning by from any other non genital site infected with wart.
I suggest you to check your partner for any small eruption or XXXXXXX warts at the genital area. Avoid sexual intercourse till complete healing. Use condoms for safer sex and wash your genital area thoroughly after every sexual act or better take bath.
My best wishes for your healthy life.
With regards,
Dr Sanjay Kanodia
Warts at genital area is mostly due to sexual transmission.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome back and thanks for your swift follow up.
The most common mode of wart infection is through sexual transmission. Less commonly it can occur from non sexual mode meaning by from any other non genital site infected with wart.
I suggest you to check your partner for any small eruption or XXXXXXX warts at the genital area. Avoid sexual intercourse till complete healing. Use condoms for safer sex and wash your genital area thoroughly after every sexual act or better take bath.
My best wishes for your healthy life.
With regards,
Dr Sanjay Kanodia
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Brief Answer:
No any major health concern. It can occur in anyone.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome back and thanks for your further follow up.
Warts over genital area are majorly due to sexual transmission. As your femsle psrtner hsve had history of HPV so ask your female partner to report to her gynecologist for the occurrence of warts in yourself. Her gynecologist would examine and follow necessary management for the same.
There is no health issues in the occurrence of warts. These very well can occur in all healthy individuals and is very much treatable and curable condition. So you should not at all be worried about the same.
All the best.
With regards,
Dr Sanjay Kanodia
No any major health concern. It can occur in anyone.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome back and thanks for your further follow up.
Warts over genital area are majorly due to sexual transmission. As your femsle psrtner hsve had history of HPV so ask your female partner to report to her gynecologist for the occurrence of warts in yourself. Her gynecologist would examine and follow necessary management for the same.
There is no health issues in the occurrence of warts. These very well can occur in all healthy individuals and is very much treatable and curable condition. So you should not at all be worried about the same.
All the best.
With regards,
Dr Sanjay Kanodia
Note: Consult a Sexual Diseases Specialist online for further follow up- Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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