Redness of the penis can be caused by sexually transmitted diseases, such as chlamydia or genital herpes, or a urinary tract infection. An often overlooked cause of penile redness is chemical irritation from hygiene products. What are the symptoms of penile redness? The appearance of penile redness can be a sign of an underlying health problem. Consultation with a doctor is necessary to obtain appropriate treatment. It is especially important to pay attention to where the redness of the penis appeared, as well as whether: The redness is localized in one area of ??the penis; Redness affects the entire penis; The redness has spread from the penis to other parts of the groin, such as the groin or thighs What are the common accompanying symptoms of penile redness? In addition to redness of the penis, other symptoms may be experienced in addition to redness, such as: Itching; Swelling; Bad smell; Pain when urinating (dysuria); Genital discharge (yellow or white); Pain in the penile area; Warm to the touch area; Dry skin or flaking These complaints should be judged with a specialist so that appropriate treatment can be prescribed. What are the causes of redness of the penis? The penis has several components – the glans (head of the penis), the body and the root (the part attached to the lower abdomen/pelvis). The opening of the urethra (the channel through which semen and urine pass) is located at the tip of the glans penis. At birth, the glans is covered by the foreskin, which is simply loose skin around the glans. The foreskin can be preserved or removed surgically in a process called circumcision. Another reproductive organ in close proximity to the penis that can also become red is the scrotum. The scrotum is an outer pouch of skin that covers the testes (testicles). The testicles are round, egg-shaped male reproductive organs located below the penis. The redness of these components is primarily inflammatory in nature, but many other conditions can also cause it. Penile redness can affect both circumcised and uncircumcised men. Inflammatory Causes Inflammatory causes of penile redness include the following: Infection. Many infectious pathogens can infect the genital area such as bacteria, fungi and viruses. All of these infectious agents can cause redness and inflammation of the penis, and they are often sexually transmitted. In addition to redness and inflammation, these infections can also lead to associated symptoms such as dysuria (a burning or painful sensation during urination) and discharge from the penis. Fungal infections can also lead to white patches on the penis in addition to redness; Skin inflammation. There are numerous dermatological conditions that can affect the penis and cause redness and accompanying symptoms.For example, lichen sclerosus (Lichen sclerosus) and psoriasis are chronic inflammatory skin diseases that have a predisposition to the genital area in both men and women. Psoriasis is characterized by erythematous papules or plaques (small, raised lesions or swellings) with irregular, scaly borders. Psoriasis can affect both the penis and the scrotum. Systemic diseases. Systemic conditions such as diabetes and kidney disease can lead to inflammation around the glans penis. Men with advanced forms of these conditions may have high concentrations of glucose in their urine (glycosuria). Since the urethra passes through the penis and exits at the glans, with urination, excess glucose can cause irritation on and around the glans. This can lead to redness and inflammation that can affect the rest of the penis. Hygienic reasons Proper hygiene is the key to maintaining genital health. Regular cleaning under the foreskin of the penis and around the scrotum with mild soap and water is very important to protect against harmful bacteria. Practicing good sexual hygiene is also important. The use of condoms is necessary to prevent the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Allergens Allergen-related causes of penile redness may include: Irritants. Many substances can irritate the skin and cause rashes and redness. This condition is known as dermatitis. Products such as heavily scented soaps, lotions, perfumes and even some types of jewelry around the genital area can be highly irritating and cause penile inflammation due to allergic or sensitivity reactions; Medicines. Some medications may cause reactions that lead to redness, inflammation, or swelling of the scrotum. For example, older men who have a history (medical history) of long-term topical corticosteroid use are also more likely to develop red scrotum syndrome, which can spread to the penis as a side effect of the medication. References: 1. Hirsch IH. Structure of the male reproductive system. Merck Manual Consumer Version 2. Rai BP, Qureshi A, Kadi N, Donat R. How painful is adult circumcision? A prospective, observational cohort study. The Journal of Urology 3. National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). Balanitis and balanoposthitis: a reviewMen with advanced forms of these conditions may have high concentrations of glucose in their urine (glycosuria). Since the urethra passes through the penis and exits at the glans, with urination, excess glucose can cause irritation on and around the glans. This can lead to redness and inflammation that can affect the rest of the penis. Hygienic reasons Proper hygiene is the key to maintaining genital health. Regular cleaning under the foreskin of the penis and around the scrotum with mild soap and water is very important to protect against harmful bacteria. Practicing good sexual hygiene is also important. The use of condoms is necessary to prevent the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Allergens Allergen-related causes of penile redness may include: Irritants. Many substances can irritate the skin and cause rashes and redness. This condition is known as dermatitis. Products such as heavily scented soaps, lotions, perfumes and even some types of jewelry around the genital area can be highly irritating and cause penile inflammation due to allergic or sensitivity reactions; Medicines. Some medications may cause reactions that lead to redness, inflammation, or swelling of the scrotum. For example, older men who have a history (medical history) of long-term topical corticosteroid use are also more likely to develop red scrotum syndrome, which can spread to the penis as a side effect of the medication. References: 1. Hirsch IH. Structure of the male reproductive system. Merck Manual Consumer Version 2. Rai BP, Qureshi A, Kadi N, Donat R. How painful is adult circumcision? A prospective, observational cohort study. The Journal of Urology 3. National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). Balanitis and balanoposthitis: a reviewMen with advanced forms of these conditions may have high concentrations of glucose in their urine (glycosuria). Since the urethra passes through the penis and exits at the glans, with urination, excess glucose can cause irritation on and around the glans. This can lead to redness and inflammation that can affect the rest of the penis. Hygienic reasons Proper hygiene is the key to maintaining genital health. Regular cleaning under the foreskin of the penis and around the scrotum with mild soap and water is very important to protect against harmful bacteria. Practicing good sexual hygiene is also important. The use of condoms is necessary to prevent the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Allergens Allergen-related causes of penile redness may include: Irritants. Many substances can irritate the skin and cause rashes and redness. This condition is known as dermatitis. Products such as heavily scented soaps, lotions, perfumes and even some types of jewelry around the genital area can be highly irritating and cause penile inflammation due to allergic or sensitivity reactions; Medicines. Some medications may cause reactions that lead to redness, inflammation, or swelling of the scrotum. For example, older men who have a history (medical history) of long-term topical corticosteroid use are also more likely to develop red scrotum syndrome, which can spread to the penis as a side effect of the medication. References: 1. Hirsch IH. Structure of the male reproductive system. Merck Manual Consumer Version 2. Rai BP, Qureshi A, Kadi N, Donat R. How painful is adult circumcision? A prospective, observational cohort study. The Journal of Urology 3. National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). Balanitis and balanoposthitis: a reviewperfumes and even some types of jewelry around the genital area can be highly irritating and cause penile inflammation due to allergic or sensitivity reactions; Medicines. Some medications may cause reactions that lead to redness, inflammation, or swelling of the scrotum. For example, older men who have a history (medical history) of long-term topical corticosteroid use are also more likely to develop red scrotum syndrome, which can spread to the penis as a side effect of the medication. References: 1. Hirsch IH. Structure of the male reproductive system. Merck Manual Consumer Version 2. Rai BP, Qureshi A, Kadi N, Donat R. How painful is adult circumcision? A prospective, observational cohort study. The Journal of Urology 3. National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). Balanitis and balanoposthitis: a reviewperfumes and even some types of jewelry around the genital area can be highly irritating and cause penile inflammation due to allergic or sensitivity reactions; Medicines. Some medications may cause reactions that lead to redness, inflammation, or swelling of the scrotum. For example, older men who have a history (medical history) of long-term topical corticosteroid use are also more likely to develop red scrotum syndrome, which can spread to the penis as a side effect of the medication. References: 1. Hirsch IH. Structure of the male reproductive system. Merck Manual Consumer Version 2. Rai BP, Qureshi A, Kadi N, Donat R. How painful is adult circumcision? A prospective, observational cohort study. The Journal of Urology 3. National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). Balanitis and balanoposthitis: a review