That special part of the male anatomy that may be hidden under a skimpy swimsuit is intensely sensitive, and often, the signals this skin transmits are pleasurable. There are times, however, when those same nerve receptors choose to emit signals of alarm, and pain and itching can quickly follow. While sore skin could be caused by almost anything, these four types of penis rashes tend to cause the most trouble for men. Thankfully, many of them can be successfully dealt with using commonsense penis care and a little help from a doctor.

Allergic Reactions

Skin contains hundreds of thousands of cells that are designed to seek and destroy any potentially harmful invaders. In some cases, though, the immune system overreacts and targets substances that are normally benign, including:

  • Soap residue
  • Perfume
  • Body lotion
  • Laundry detergent
  • Fabric softener

When the immune system goes into overdrive, the itching can be intense, and it tends to stick around as long as the original trigger is in place. Finding the source of the itch is a man's primary concern, but oral or topical antihistamines can also help to put out the fire.

Yeast Infection

Getting intimate with a partner who has a yeast infection isn't always pleasant, as the condition is typically associated with a fish-like smell. However, some women with yeast infections have no symptoms at all, and they can pass the condition to partners through unprotected sex. The rash that follows is typically quite red and itchy, and men may even experience a burning sensation when they urinate. An over-the-counter antifungal cream can reduce the fungal overgrowth, but it's best to allow a doctor to take a quick peek, as these symptoms can sometimes be related to other conditions that might be slightly more serious.

Jock Itch

The warm, moist environment of a man's groin is an ideal growing medium for fungus, and men that don't keep perfectly clean and dry might develop a painful, itchy, red rash that encircles the penis, the buttocks and the thighs. The creases of the body, where skin touches and light rarely penetrates, are particular favorites for this fungus, but anyplace kept moist and a little dirty might do the trick just fine. Switching to ventilated underclothing, such as boxer shorts, and using over-the-counter antifungal sprays can often help the condition disappear, never to return to men who stay clean and dry.

Eczema

This painful skin condition can set up camp on the penis, but it might also impact other areas of the body, including the arms, legs and the face. While the rash can be intensely itchy, people who are affected are encouraged to ignore the urge to scratch, as this can leave nasty scars behind. Leaving the rash alone might be hard, but topical creams can help. Unfortunately, eczema isn't a condition that typically resolves with at-home care, meaning that people who have this problem might need the help of a medical practitioner in order to achieve real relief.

Takeaway Messages

As this article makes clear, a penis itch could come from a variety of different sources, and while all of the conditions might feel the same, they might all require separate types of medical treatments. A doctor is best qualified to step in and form a plan of action, ensuring that a man doesn't lose valuable time in fighting his itch.

Preventing a penis rash might be ideal for any man, and a penis health creme (most experts recommend Man1 Man Oil) can help. These products can provide cells with the nutrition they need to function at an optimal level, and using a product like this might encourage a man to stay clean and tidy, so opportunistic infections don't have a toehold in this delicate skin.