Are small bumps around the head of the penis normal?
Yes, in many men they are. Small, evenly spaced, skin-coloured or slightly pearly bumps arranged in one or more rows around the rim of the glans are a normal anatomical variant called pearly penile papules. They are not caused by an infection, are not sexually transmitted, and do not need treatment. Similarly, small white or pale yellow spots on the shaft, which can look slightly raised, are usually Fordyce spots: visible sebaceous (oil) glands that are present in most people and are also harmless. Both are common reasons for concern that turn out not to need any treatment once examined.
What causes red spots or a rash after shaving?
Red spots clustered around hair follicles are usually folliculitis, an irritation or mild infection of the follicle that is common after shaving, waxing or friction from tight clothing. It can look like small red or white-topped pimples and is often mildly tender rather than painful. It typically settles on its own with good hygiene and by avoiding further irritation to the area, though a persistent case is worth having looked at to rule out other causes.
What does thrush or balanitis look like on the penis?
Thrush and balanitis usually cause redness and soreness of the head of the penis, sometimes with a thick white residue under the foreskin and an itching or burning sensation, particularly after sex or when passing urine. It is more common in men who are uncircumcised. It is not classed as a sexually transmitted infection, though sexual contact can occasionally trigger it. Thrush responds well to antifungal treatment, and other causes of balanitis are treated according to the cause once it is confirmed.
Which spots and bumps could be an STI, and how do they differ?
A clinical look, not a photograph, is the reliable way to tell these apart, because several conditions can look similar in their early stages.
A quick guide to what's commonly seen and what it usually means.
Genital warts caused by HPV are usually flesh-coloured, can be flat or raised, and often have a rough or cauliflower-like surface; they are typically painless. Molluscum contagiosum causes small, firm, dome-shaped bumps, often with a characteristic dimple in the centre, and is generally harmless though it can take many months to clear without treatment. Herpes tends to start as tingling, then a cluster of small blisters that break down into shallow, often painful ulcers. Syphilis in its early stage classically causes a single, firm, painless sore, which is easy to miss precisely because it does not hurt.
When does a spot or bump need a doctor urgently?
A sore or ulcer that is not healing after a couple of weeks, or a patch of skin that is changing in size, colour, texture or shape, should be assessed by a doctor rather than watched at home. The same applies to any spot that is growing quickly, bleeding, or accompanied by pain that is getting worse. These features do not automatically mean anything serious, but they are the signs that make an in-person examination the right next step rather than continued self-monitoring.
Should I try to treat it myself first?
No. Squeezing, picking at, or applying creams to a spot before it has been properly assessed can spread an infection, irritate the skin further, and make it harder for a doctor to identify what it actually is when you do come in. If a spot or bump is causing you concern, it is better to have it looked at first and treat it based on an actual diagnosis.
How testing works at our Harley Street clinic
At Sexual Health Clinic London, a genital warts check is a direct visual examination by a doctor, priced at £150, with an immediate diagnosis given on the day, no waiting for lab results. If herpes is suspected, a swab of an active sore or blister gives the most reliable result. If you want to know more about the virus behind warts, our HPV test is a separate test at £225, which includes taking the swab, the examination and HPV typing. If you would rather have a broader check alongside the specific spot, the Silver package for men at £325 adds herpes I and II, Mycoplasma genitalium, Ureaplasma and Gardnerella testing to chlamydia, gonorrhoea, HIV and syphilis. Walk-in appointments are available seven days a week at 117a Harley Street, and the clinic is confidential throughout. Our guide to private STI testing in London explains how a confidential visit works. Where warts are confirmed and removal is the next step, Medical Express Clinic offers genital warts removal.
Book a genital warts check at 117a Harley Street: £150, with a diagnosis on the day.
References
- Genital warts, NHS
- Molluscum contagiosum, NHS
- Balanitis, NHS
- Genital herpes, NHS
- Syphilis, NHS
