It is essential to mention that the foreskin fulfills the function of covering and protecting the glans. It is characterized by being elastic, mobile, and lubricated.
The penis can be affected by different alterations. One of them is the dryness in the foreskin, which can signify that something is happening at the skin level or of an infectious process. The man will notice this ailment when having sexual intercourse because the erection becomes painful.
Next, in this FastlyHealarticle, you will learn more about dry foreskin: causes and treatment.
Table of Contents
Causes of the dry foreskin
Several causes can give rise to the appearance of dryness in the foreskin. Among them are:
Use of chemicals
The vast majority of products used for personal hygiene, such as laundry detergents and intimate hygiene soaps, contain many chemicals that can trigger dry penis in men with sensitive skin.
Friction
Both the constant rubbing or friction of the penis with tight clothing or synthetic origin and excessive manipulation by masturbation can cause a dry foreskin, which causes pain and, sometimes, bleeding during sexual intercourse. This can be seen more frequently during adolescence, a stage where young people resort much more to masturbation.
Penis allergy
Contacting some substances or products with a high content of chemicals, such as condoms made with latex or the spermicides contained in condoms, can trigger an allergic reaction in the foreskin. This is evident by the appearance of itching, swelling, and redness in the area.
Infection in the penis
The growth of bacteria or fungi on the penis can trigger infections. Poor hygiene in the area can precipitate the infectious process or the sexual transmission of chlamydia or gonorrhea infections. These infections can be bacterial or fungal in origin.
Prolonged sexual intercourse
Increasing the frequency of sexual intercourse or prolonging it for longer than usual can cause dryness or cracks in the foreskin due to the friction of the sexual organ.
Skin problems
Skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, among others, can cause dry foreskin in men who have sensitive skin, are predisposed to allergic reactions, or those who have a family history of skin problems.
Symptoms of the dry foreskin
Dry foreskin becomes evident when these symptoms are present:
- Pain or redness of the glans, the foreskin is cracked from dryness.
- Irritation and peeling of the skin of the foreskin.
- Decreased sensitivity of the penis.
- Pain that is present during sexual intercourse.
- They are itching at the time of ejaculation.
Treatment of dry foreskin
The urology specialist will be in charge of treating this condition, so using the physical examination, he determines the diagnosis and the treatment to follow to alleviate the dryness in the penis. Among the measures that can be indicated are:
- The use of chemicals that increase the dryness of the foreskin, such as soaps or detergents, should be avoided for the daily cleaning of the genitals.
- If an allergic reaction is a cause, the doctor will prescribe the withdrawal of the agent causing the allergic response and indicate antihistamines to reverse this situation.
- Underwear made of natural materials, such as cotton and biological products, is recommended. This will prevent allergic reactions from occurring.
- In cases where an infectious process is a cause, the doctor will indicate antibiotics when it is a bacterial infection or an antifungal if the reason is due to a fungal infection. Both can be used orally or topically by applying creams to the affected area.
- When they are skin problems due to dermatitis, the treatment will be symptomatic by the hand of the dermatologist and the urologist. The application of creams and topical corticosteroids will depend on the degree of injury and the symptoms present.
- The doctor will recommend using lubricants when the dryness of the foreskin is caused by prolonged sexual intercourse and without the use of condoms. In this sense, the suggested ones will be water-based because, with these, there is less chance of an allergic reaction being triggered. In addition, they have fewer chemicals, avoiding further damaging the skin.
During active sexual life, it is common to see these types of alterations. If this is your case, consult your trusted doctor.
This article is merely informative. At FastlyHeal .com, we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor if you present any condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Dry foreskin: causes and treatment, we recommend that you enter our category of Male reproductive system.
I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.