On the circumference of the head of the penis, some men have small whitish nodules, which are often mistaken for rashes of venereal origin. Such nodules are called pearly papules. They can be confused with genital genital warts. Although, in fact, pearly papules are normal and can not hurt, except to bring a little cosmetic inconvenience.
Why papules appear
Pearl nodules are found in about 20-50% of men, mostly 15-35 years of age. As shown by medical research, such formations are most often found in men whose sexual organ is not circumcised. In addition, it is proved that representatives of the Negroid race are exposed to the formation of pearl papules more often than Europeans.
Important! If a liquid is released from the papules, purulent, bloody or of a different nature, it itches or causes painful sensations, it is necessary to visit a specialist.
The science is not clear to the end of the reasons for the appearance of such formations. There are versions that contribute to the formation of papules, blockage and puffiness of the pores and sebaceous glands. Almost all scientists agree that pearly papules are in no way associated with insufficient hygiene or sexual intercourse. In many such formations are almost invisible under the skin and are found only with a thorough medical examination, which is why many men often do not know that there are pearlous papular formations on their head.
Most specialists associate the formation of papular nodules with juvenile puberty. This stage is characterized by a sharp increase in male sex hormones and increased secretion of smegma. Such factors contribute to the increased formation of secretory glands. The skin surface of the penis is irritating, resulting in the formation of pearly papules encircling the head of the penis. On the basis of such facts, the conclusion suggests that the appearance of nodules is most often in adolescence at the age of 15-18, and when grown up, such formations disappear on their own, but not all.
Symptoms of pearly papules
Pearly papules are small nodular formations not larger than the head of a pin. They have a solid color and a matte-shiny surface. They have the same size, conical shape, and are usually placed in several rows on the crown of the penis. Papules do not tend to merge, representing multiple educations. They do not cause an itchy sensation, do not bleed, do not emit any other liquids. Although sometimes they are so small that they can not be seen by a common man in the street.
The external arrangement of pearly papules resembles a ring, which is also called mother-of-pearl. Although occasionally they occur and on the head of the penis. Sometimes such papular rashes differ in a group or single arrangement on the scrotum or at the base of the penis, then it is probably Fordis granules, which are the norm variant and represent the sebaceous glands, so there is no need to treat them either.
Attention! Pearl papules are not classified as pathological states of venereal origin, so they can be transmitted to a sexual partner during sexual intercourse.
A graduated urologist is able to determine pearly papules only by performing a visual inspection. In appearance, such formations are often confused:
- With formations that appear due to the ingestion of a molluscum contagiosum, these papules differ from pearls with a characteristic indentation in the center, and when they burst, then out of them comes the crumbly contents;
- With genital warts that appear against the papillomavirus, they differ from pearly papules with extensive localization, rapid growth, different sizes of formations. In addition, condylomas, in contrast to pearly formations have a thin leg and they are softer.
The above examples must necessarily be treated, whereas pearly papules do not need therapeutic measures, since they do not have pathological symptoms and persist throughout life. With age, such formations become not at all noticeable. That is why in the diagnosis often prescribed biopsy of nodular rashes and a histological examination is performed.
Should I treat it and how?
According to experts, the presence of such formations is a physiological norm. Such nodules do not bring discomfort or painful sensations, they do not bleed and do not itch. Although many men are not soothing, why they still visit a specialist, believing that they have taken up any kind of venereal disease. Every qualified urologist knows that such formations do not need therapeutic or surgical intervention.
You do not need to remove mother-of-pearl papules, because they do not in any way threaten the health or sexual abilities of a man. Although many such a phenomenon can bother from a cosmetic or aesthetic point of view, which causes the man psychological discomfort, reflecting on his self-esteem. Then patients can resort only to cosmetology or surgical removal of papular rashes, as therapeutic methods for removing such nodules with medicine have not yet been developed.
Warning! At no time should you try to squeeze, tear off, or get rid of papules by any other ways yourself. Such actions can lead to infection through the formed wounds.
Modern cosmetology capabilities are almost limitless and may not be available to the patient only for financial reasons. Pearly papules can be removed in several ways:
- Laser coagulation - involves exposure to pearly nodules by means of a ray penetrating deep into the skin, heats and coagulates the papule, and the neighboring areas do not suffer at all. Such treatment is considered universal and has no contraindications;
- Electrocoagulation is a cauterization of the formed papules by means of an electric current, on contact with the skin surface, unwanted formations are simply burned out. This technique is very effective, but painful, therefore it is carried out with anesthesia, and after the procedure a week-long rehabilitation period is needed, during which it is necessary to take care of the treated head of the penis;
- Cryodestruction is a method that removes pearly papules through low-temperature exposure to liquid nitrogen. Nodules are simply removed by freezing them. The procedure does not cause pain, patients note only a feeling of cold and some numbness;
- Cosmetic surgery.
What can not be done?
Specialists categorically do not recommend doing self-removal of pearl nodules, as an independent approach to solving such a cosmetic problem can turn into a serious infectious process on the genitals.
This is interesting. According to statistics, the appearance of pearly papules worries about an average of a third of young men under 30.
Each specialist should maximally explain to his patient that pearly papules are not any pathological abnormality. That they do not arise due to venereal injury and poor care for the sexual organs in terms of intimate hygiene. That papules of a similar nature do not conceal a threat to men, so you do not have to worry about them and try to get rid of them yourself.
Some try to eliminate such an aesthetic defect with drugs like Imiquimoda or Podofillin, which are used against genital warts. This is unacceptable, since such medicines against pearl nodules are absolutely powerless, and you are wasting your time and finances. Such nodules do not require any treatment, and after surgical removal they can arise again, so doctors tend to believe that it is better not to touch such formations.
