Lifeline Multi Speciality Hospital

Red Penis Warning Signs: Recognizing Cellulitis

In many instances, a red penis is a good thing. For instance, when the blood flows into the penis to create a desired engorgement, the resulting red penis enables a man to enjoy sex. But sometimes a red penis is a sign of something not being exactly right; often, it can be a sign of inflammation. One such cause of an inflamed red penis is cellulitis, which needs to be dealt with promptly.

What is cellulitis?

The Mayo clinic states that cellulitis is "a common, potentially serious bacterial skin infection. The affected skin appears swollen and red and is typically painful and warm to the touch." Although it is most often found on the legs, it can occur anywhere on the body, including the penis.

Cellulitis occurs when specific bacteria invade the body through a crack, tear or other wound in the skin. If the penis has a cut or open wound - or even just excessively dry and flaky skin - and becomes exposed to the bacteria, cellulitis may result. The most common bacteria to cause cellulitis are streptococcus and staphylococcus.

When the bacteria go to work on the affected tissue, a red, dry, swollen rash results. As long as the bacteria stay near the surface, the infection may not be serious. But sometimes, the bacteria make their way to the bloodstream, and that can create more significant problems.

Symptoms and treatment

Redness and swelling in the infected area is a common symptom, as is tenderness and pain. The skin may feel warm, and there may be spots or blisters in some cases. Fever and fatigue may occur in some instance, signaling a more serious case. Other signs of more severe cellulitis are nausea and vomiting, numbness and increased pain.

Although mild cases of cellulitis may respond to self-care (over-the-counter pain relievers, rest), it's still a good idea to consult with a doctor.

Other treatment options include the use of antibiotics, usually oral. In very rare cases, surgery may be suggested - but again, this is a very rare option.

Prevention

Obviously, it's better to prevent cellulitis of the penis than it is to treat it. There are several preventive measures a person can take.

- Check the penis for signs of cuts or tears. If there are any, wash them with soap and water and keep an eye on them for any signs of infection.

- Check for dry penis skin. Dry penis skin can cause cracks through which bacteria can enter, so keeping penis skin properly hydrated is crucial.

- Give it a rest. If the penis exhibits signs of cracked skin or has cuts, tears or wounds, refrain from engaging in sexual activity until the issues are healed. This includes both penetrative sexual activity and oral sex. Men who do engage should be sure to wear a condom to decrease the chances of bacteria entering the open skin areas.

- Avoid activities that can damage the penis skin. If aggressive, rough sexual activities produce tears or wounds in the penis, it may be wise to tone things down a little.

Cellulitis is one of the more alarming causes of a red penis, but far from the only one: allergic reactions, minor infections and other causes can also cause redness. In general, regular application of a top notch penis health crème (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven mild and safe for skin) can help prevent a red penis by maintaining penis health at a higher level. The best cremes to look for will include among their ingredients both a high-end emollient (such as shea butter) and a natural hydrator (such as vitamin E). This combination helps create a moisture shield to encourage consistent hydration of the penis skin and prevent dryness and chapping. The crème should also include alpha lipoic acid, a powerful antioxidant that plays a big role in preventing oxidative stress damage to delicate penis skin.

Sexual dysfunction includes any problems that prevent a person or couple from achieving sexual satisfaction. Sexual dysfunction can occur at any point of the of the sexual response cycle, including arousal and desire, plateau, orgasm, and resolution. While many are shy to talk about sexual dysfunction, it’s surprisingly more common than you may think. About 31% of men experience sexual dysfunction, and 43% of women experience it.

Talk to a medical doctor if you are concerned you have a sexual dysfunction disorder in order to obtain a diagnosis and treatment.

Look into the categories of sexual disorder. While most everyone experiences nights of not being “in the mood”, disorders occur when problems occur regularly and impact the experience of sex. Think about when the problems occur and how they influence the experience of sex. The following are 4 different types of disorders:

• Desire disorder: This occurs when you have little or no interest in sex for an ongoing amount of time. For women, things like contraceptives can greatly lower or eliminate desire.
• Arousal disorder: Arousal disorder occurs when you want to have sex, yet your body does not respond.
• Orgasm disorder: Your body and emotions may be engaged in sexual activity, yet you are unable to climax, which can leave you feeling frustrated.
• Pain disorder: Pain disorder occurs when any part of sexual activity is painful, particularly intercourse.

Small Penis? No Problem - An Extender May Be Your Solution

One of the benefits that comes with society's gradually more open acceptance of sex toys is the opportunity for men who feel uncomfortable about their penis size to use toys to supplement their endowment. When sex toys are part of a person's typical sex play, then he is able to utilize devices such as penis sleeves to add length and girth to the sexual experience. And as long as proper hygiene care is followed, there aren't major penis health concerns to worry about. With that in mind, men - especially those who feel they have a small penis - should learn some basic tips about penis sleeves.

Penis sleeve basics

Also known as penis extenders, penis sleeves are simply hollow, phallic-shaped devices into which a man inserts his own penis. Wearing a penis sleeve gives the illusion that one's penis size has increased - both in terms of length and girth. How much the size has increased depends upon the model selected. Some are designed to fit very snugly and may add only increase the impression of size by a small amount. Others are designed to create the illusion of a massively formed member.

Nowadays, most penis sleeves are made of silicone or some variation thereof. There are, however, sleeves made of other substances, such as metal. While many extenders closely resemble a realistic organ in shape, others may have exaggerated veins, bumps or even rubber spikes, which are intended to provide extra stimulation to the partner on the receiving end of the sleeve.

Tips

Men who are new to using penis sleeves should consider the following:

- A penis sleeve is not a condom. Indeed, some sleeves have slits, holes or openings in them which make them especially impractical as protection. Even those that are totally solid still do not prevent fluids from dripping out.

- Get erect before wearing one. In general, penis sleeves are meant to be placed upon the penis when it is erect, rather than soft.

- Straps are good. Some penis sleeves come with a strap at the base, which is intended to be worn around the balls. (Some may even have straps which can be tied around the waist.) This helps enormously in keeping the sleeve from slipping off. Those without straps tend to slip a bit if the fit is not tight enough, if the erection softens during sex, or if the sex is especially aggressive.

- Prep before putting it on. There are a couple of ways to prep before putting the sleeve on. One way is to soak the sleeve in warm water (if it is made of a pliable material) so that it stretches out a bit and then placing it on the erect penis. Or instead one can lubricate the penis and the inside of the sleeve before wearing it. In either case, it's good to then add lubrication to the outside of the sleeve for the comfort of one's partner.

- Always clean after use. The last thing a guy wants is for bacteria to grow on his sleeve, so he should clean it after every use with soap and water (but nothing harsher or more abrasive). And he should thoroughly dry it after washing.

Penis sleeves can be useful for a man, especially if he has concerns about his penis size. But all men can benefit from maintaining penis care by regular use of a first rate penis health crème (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven mild and safe for skin). Be sure to search for a crème that includes a wide range of vitamins, such as A, B5, C, D and E; topical application of these vitamins to the penis allows them to more directly spread their benefits. The best crèmes will also include L-carnitine. This amino acid has valuable neuroprotective properties which help prevent peripheral nerve damage and, subsequently, unwanted loss of penis sensation which can dampen one's pleasure during sex.

Penis Rash: Likely Causes and Effective Remedies

The human skin can be susceptible to problems like rashes. These can often be easily treated using topical medications. But if a rash appears on sensitive body parts such as the penis, there could be cause for concern. Failure to treat rashes and other problems in this delicate area can lead to more serious issues. To better care for this sensitive body part, it's important to be aware of some common causes for penis rash, as well as the recommended treatments.

- Razor Bumps ­- As suggested by the name, these red, itchy spots usually appear after shaving the hair around the penis. However, this is not as serious as it can be perceived, as razor bumps are simply the result of irritated skin and can be remedied easily. Experts suggest shaving after taking a shower, when the skin is soft, and applying shaving gel for moisturizing. Shaving towards the direction of hair growth is also recommended.

- Jock Itch - This is another common problem that most men have to deal with on a regular basis. Prevalent most especially among athletes, jock itch is caused by a fungus that thrives in warm, moist areas. It can cause a red, spreading, itchy rash that may affect the entire groin area, as well as the thighs. Topical medications such as those used to treat athlete's foot are generally effective for clearing up this condition.

- Contact Dermatitis - This condition is a type of allergic reaction to something in the environment. Most mild cases appear like the run-of-the-mill skin rash, but worse scenarios include fluid-filled bumps that may dry and peel. The most common triggers for contact dermatitis include soaps, laundry detergents, some types of condoms, and even plants and grasses. This condition can be treated by use of topical hydrocortisone ointments. A high-end moisturizer is also recommended to help sooth the itch and minimize drying and flaking.

- Balanitis - Balanitis refers to inflammation of the foreskin and/or glans and is most common among uncircumcised men. It is normally caused mainly by poor hygiene, which allows for the proliferation of bacteria, leading to swelling, soreness, and an itchy, red rash. The best remedy for balanitis is simply cleaning the infected area with a mild cleanser and avoiding the use of scented soaps that may contain irritant chemicals.

- Psoriasis - Psoriasis is a chronic skin condition that essentially speeds up the life cycle of skin cells, causing a rapid build-up of dead skin cells on the skin's surface. Genital psoriasis, in particular, comes off as a deep red rash appearing shiny patches at the tip of the penis or on its shaft. Similar to jock itch, it is aggravated by the moisture that is being locked in. Unfortunately, there is no real cure for this condition, but there are methods to keep it under control, such as treatment with oral medications, UV light, and use of crèmes containing vitamins A and E.

Prevention is better than a cure

The penis is one of the most delicates part of a man's body, and it should be given utmost attention when it comes to treatment. Hygiene, of course, will always play a big role, as well as maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Daily penis care may be extended beyond simply bathing the area to use of a penis health crème (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil). A high-end product containing nutrients such as Vitamins A, B5, C, D3, and E, as well as rich moisturizers such as Shea butter, can be a key solution for maintaining hydration and soothing itchy, dry, reddened skin.