Every man is quite familiar with the occasional itchy penis problem. In most cases the cause is quite simple, and getting a quick shower, washing the sheets, or even changing underwear can be enough to end the problem right then and there. Men who practice good penis care always notice when something is not quite ‘right’ where it matters.

So if a man wakes up with a terribly itchy penis and looks down to see redness as well, it is definitely not the usual kind of day. A man who sees redness, itchiness, blotches on the skin and sensitivity or pain might be suffering from a condition called intertrigo.

What is intertrigo?

Intertrigo is an unusual problem, but one that can lead to itching, pain, redness and more in as little as a few hours. It is a spreading, red rash that occurs anywhere skin rubs together. It usually happens in areas of the body that are moist or very warm, such as between folds of skin, under the arms, between the toes or even in the groin. The skin will quickly become red and irritated, and soon that leads to much more severe symptoms, such as a spreading, blotchy rash.

Without proper care, intertrigo gets worse. The skin becomes more sensitive and painful as time goes on, and might begin to develop red sores that are quite warm and might even smell bad. Those sores can become worse very quickly, and wind up oozing, cracking or bleeding.

What can be done about it?

A man who develops intertrigo on the penis obviously has much more to worry about than the itch. The first step to stopping the problem is to give the body a thorough cleaning with lukewarm water. Spending a great deal of time in the shower, letting the water run over the red spots, can help ease the pain and itching.

Next, it is vitally important to dry off completely, and keep the area as dry as possible. A man can ‘air out’ the area by wearing no clothes and sitting in such a way that his penis doesn’t touch his thighs. If he doesn’t have the option of doing this, he can wear loose-fitting clothing and use powder to prevent further friction in the affected area.

It is important to remember that as intertrigo gets worse, it can lead to infections or invasions of bacteria and yeast in the affected area, which then leads to even more problems. A man who is dealing with intertrigo should watch for worsening symptoms and head to the doctor if necessary.

Fighting the problem with good hygiene

Good hygiene is the key to alleviating the itchy penis and other symptoms caused by this skin condition. A man should shower at least once a day to clean the area, pat the skin dry very thoroughly, and air it out as much as possible. During sleep, placing a thin piece of cotton fabric between the thighs and the penis can help keep the friction to a minimum, and using powder will work when a man is wearing clothing.

Once the penis begins to heal, a man can help ensure the best possible manhood health with a high-quality penis health crème (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven mild and safe for skin) . He should look for one that contains vitamin A, which is known for odor-fighting properties, as well as alpha-lipoic acid, which fights against the free radicals that can lead to premature signs of aging. Other vitamins and nutrients, including vitamins C, D and B5 in a Shea butter base, can provide many other powerful benefits. By applying a high-end crème every day, a man can ensure he is keeping his penis as healthy as possible.