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A boil on the penis.
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
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A furuncle on the penis, or, in simple terms, a boil, is an acute purulent inflammation of the hair follicle and connective tissues caused by Staphylococcus aureus or Staphylococcus albus. It appears as a red, painful nodule, sometimes with pus. It is rarely transmitted sexually. It is common in adolescence, but can also occur at any time in a man's life.
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Causes of a boil on the penis.
Formation of a furuncle is possible as a complication of superficial or developed staphyloderma, as well as on completely healthy skin of the penis. The main reasons for the formation of furuncles can be called, in addition to the pathogenicity and virulence of the staphylococcus strain, also external and internal predisposing causes. External causes include minor microtraumas of the skin that contribute to the penetration of infection, for example, shaving the penis and the adjacent groin area, friction of underwear. These reasons contribute to the secondary penetration of staphylococci and transformation into a pathogenic form of saprophyte, mechanical damage to the skin of the penis with eczema, scabies, neurodermatosis create favorable conditions for the further development of a furuncle on the penis.
Internal root causes include low immunity, general exhaustion of the body, metabolic diseases, gastrointestinal diseases, hypovitaminosis, diseases of the nervous system, alcoholism, systematic hypothermia, failure to observe basic personal hygiene and hygiene of the genitals. Low immunobiological reactivity of the body is the main cause of furuncles on the penis. The peak of the disease occurs in early spring and late autumn, when the body has not yet adapted to the climatic changes of the season.
Symptoms of a boil on the penis.
A boil has three life cycles:
- development of infiltrates;
- suppuration and necrosis;
- healing.
Let's take a closer look at each of these cycles. Initially, the hair follicle is surrounded by a bright red infiltrate with blurred outlines and hard to the touch, its appearance is accompanied by tingling and mild itching. Then the infiltrate changes into a dense tumor, increases in size, and provokes painful symptoms.
After about three days, the second cycle begins - the furuncle increases to 1.5 cm in diameter, a purulent-necrotic core forms in the center. The furuncle on the penis looks like a cone-shaped tumor. At the same time, body temperature may rise to 38 ° C, symptoms of poisoning may appear - headache, loss of strength. Painful sensations intensify, become sharper. After a day or two, the pustule opens mechanically or artificially, with the direct participation of a person, and along the necrotic core, purulent masses are rejected, possibly with an admixture of ichor, then a greenish necrotic plug is rejected.
After the pus and necrotic core come out, the pain disappears, the tissue swelling decreases and a red-blue scar forms in the place of the furuncle crater in the next two or three days, and then the scar disappears. With a non-recurrent duration of the process, the life cycle of a furuncle lasts up to ten days.
With a compressed course of the process, the infiltrate is formed without the formation of necrosis and pus. In people with weak immunity, exhausted by diseases, as well as with improper treatment, a furuncle on the penis is transformed into an abscess, forming a phlegmonous furuncle. Cases of metastasis of furuncles to the liver and kidneys are quite common. Such consequences are possible due to improper treatment.
Furuncles are localized on any area of the skin where there are hair follicles. In our case, we are considering a furuncle on the penis.
A furuncle on the penis, in close proximity to the lymph nodes, can provoke the development of acute trunk lymphangitis or lymphadenitis. An attempt to squeeze out a furuncle, a cut when shaving the genitals complicate the course of the furuncle's life cycle.
Furunculosis is characterized by multiple recurring furuncles. In rare, exceptional cases, there are cases of furunculosis on the penis.
Forms
Experts classify the following types of boils:
- a single boil on the penis, which appears infrequently – once every six months;
- single boils that recur systematically and regularly;
- furunculosis, a systematic rash of a large number of boils.
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Treatment of a boil on the penis.
Treatment of a furuncle on the penis is prescribed depending on the degree of development of the process and can be therapeutic - medication, with the use of physiotherapy, or surgical - when it is necessary to open the inflamed areas with subsequent extraction of pus.
There are frequent cases when men, having discovered purulent formations on the penis, “diagnose” a furuncle of the penis and immediately “prescribe treatment” with folk methods. Not taking into account the fact that the formation of pustules may be provoked by a venereal disease. Timely seeking help from a specialist significantly increases the likelihood of a quick recovery. Timely therapeutic treatment, drug treatment with antibiotics, stretching, anti-inflammatory ointments, significantly exclude the likelihood of surgical intervention. At the initial stage of the development of a furuncle on the penis, as a rule, it is advisable to prescribe local treatment. Purulent formations are treated with ichthyol, antibacterial agents.
In case of prolonged inflammation, antibacterial drugs are prescribed. And only in case of severe intoxication is surgical intervention necessary. During the period of infiltration, ultraviolet irradiation in small doses will significantly speed up the treatment process. At the time of suppuration and necrosis, it is possible to inject the circumference of the infiltrate with a solution of antibiotics and novocaine.
For the purpose of cleansing, opened boils are usually washed with a 3% solution of hydrogen peroxide. Bandages of hypertonic sodium chloride solution also cleanse the cavities of the boil from purulent masses. After the cavities are cleaned and the necrotic plug is rejected, applying bandages with Vishnevsky ointment will speed up the healing process of the boil on the penis.
Squeezing out a boil is strictly contraindicated, as it can provoke the generalization of the infection and the likelihood of developing an abscess and other life-threatening complications. The necrotic core is either rejected on its own or is removed mechanically in the case of its complete separation from the boil crater. It is recommended to treat the skin around the boil with brilliant green or alcohol.
The use of ichthyol has a local anesthetic effect, due to its bactericidal properties - it has a bactericidal and anti-inflammatory effect. Ichthyol is applied to the boil in a thick layer, covering it with a cotton pad on top. The dried ointment is washed off with warm water, leaving no traces. The bandage must be changed twice or three times daily. When the boil on the penis has opened, the application of ichthyol is stopped, allowing the pus and necrotic core of the boil to be rejected.
Surgical treatment of a furuncle on the penis is rarely used in cases of abscesses and consists of an incision under local anesthesia. The recovery period is the same as for the treatment of an opened furuncle.
The cause of the complications that have arisen may be an untreated boil on the penis, therefore, in order to prevent such cases, it is necessary to undergo a course of treatment until the boil has completely resolved.
Effective in the treatment of furuncle is the use of UHF, ultraviolet radiation, sollux. Various compresses, warming poultices and other procedures using water are contraindicated, due to the possible spread of infection, the appearance of new furuncles.
In order to prevent possible hypovitaminosis due to the development of purulent infection, the use of antibiotics, in order to optimize the metabolic process and increase the immunity of the whole organism, it is advisable to use vitamins C, B1, B2, PP. It is contraindicated to eat spices, alcohol, fatty and spicy foods, high-calorie foods with a large number of vitamins are recommended.
All possible complications of boils are treated exclusively in hospital.
More information of the treatment
Drugs
Prevention
Prevention of furuncle on the penis, due to its simplicity, is available to every man. First of all, it is of great importance to observe basic rules of personal hygiene, penile hygiene, daily change of underwear, timely medical care for cuts, wounds possible when shaving the genital area. Of course, it is very important to protect yourself from hypothermia. A balanced diet, with a variety of vegetables and fruits, helps to strengthen the body's immunity.