Penile pearly papules are benign, dome-shaped growths that appear on the edge of the glans penis. Although they are often confused with genital warts, they are not associated with a sexually transmitted infection and cannot be passed on to another person. Pearly penile papules are thought to be a natural skin variation and are harmless. These growths should disappear on their own, but if pearly penile papules are found to be affecting the patient’s quality of life, an appointment should be made with a specialist to discuss options for their removal. What are the causes of pearly penile papules? The reason why some men develop pearly penile papules and others do not is unknown. These formations are considered a normal phenomenon, which can be the result of: Excessive collagen growth; Excessive growth of dilated blood vessels; Fibroblast (connective tissue cell) overgrowth What is the difference between penile pearly papules or genital warts? Although often mistaken for a symptom of sexually transmitted infections such as genital warts, penile pearly papules are not contagious. Penile papules differ clinically from genital warts in several characteristics: Cause. Genital warts, unlike penile pearly papules, are caused by infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV); Appearance. Genital warts are bumpy with a cauliflower-like appearance, while penile pearly papules are smooth, symmetrical, and dome-shaped; Location. Genital warts can be located on the penis, mouth, tongue, lips, throat, scrotum, anus, thighs and groin. Pearly penile papules appear only on the edge of the head of the penis. What is the treatment for pearly penile papules? Pearly penile papules are harmless and can be left untreated. They should never be squeezed or otherwise handled as this can cause damage and scarring. Over-the-counter wart medications should never be used on penile papules as they can cause irritation, scarring, and are not intended for use on the penis. The presence of penile papules can worry some men and this may lead them to seek a way to remove them. Treatment options include: CO2 laser. It is the most precise and painless treatment option for the condition. The heat from the laser evaporates each individual pimple, and subsequently the skin heals without leaving a scar; Electrodesiccation and curettage. In this procedure, a special surgical device is used to remove the papules by means of an electric current that heats the formations; Cryotherapy. In it, the papules are frozen to a very low temperature using a pad with liquid nitrogen.It can be a painful procedure Many of these treatment methods can be painful and may require several procedures to be performed. Risks of treatment include: Scarring; Infection; Changes in skin pigmentation; Recurrence of papules; Postprocedural Bleeding References: 1. Honigman AD, Dubin DP, Chu J, Lin MJ. Management of pearly penile papules: a review of the literature 2. Aldahan AS, Brah TK, Nouri K. Diagnosis and management of pearly penile papules 3. The Australasian College of Dermatologists. Pearly penile papules 4. Verywell Health. What Are Pearly Penile Papules?