No one wants to think about a penile injury, much less live through one, but there’s no getting around the fact that the average, active guy will face at least the occasional penile emergency. The most common injuries are minor, and they can often be treated at home; but some are more serious and require the care of a trained medical professional. The following checklist offers some quick first aid tips for a variety of types of penis injuries; all of these should be followed up by a trip to the doctor for more intensive penis care.

1) Zipper trauma . When the oh-so-sensitive penis skin gets caught in a zipper, the pain can be immense and lead to instant panic. Unfortunately, a large number of men respond instinctively by yanking away from the zipper - a huge mistake that can result in painful lacerations.

The better approach is as follows:

- Remain calm and gently try to extract trapped skin; vegetable oil or baby oil may help this process.

- If the skin cannot be easily released, the next stop should be the doctor’s office - possibly embarrassing, but certainly better than tearing away at the skin.

- Once the skin has been released, keep the area clean and abstain from masturbation and sex until the area is healed.

- If the wound shows signs of infection, talk to a doctor about antibiotics.

2) Lacerations/cuts. A penis injury resulting in cuts or lacerations should be treated in the following manner:

- Apply moderate compression to stop any bleeding.

- Clean the area and apply a gauze bandage for protection.

- Seek emergency treatment for severe cuts or bleeding that will not stop.

- Talk to a doctor if the area becomes infected - antibiotics may be required.

3) Burns. Any burn should be considered a serious injury requiring medical attention. If a burn to the penis occurs, men should follow these guidelines:

- Immediately immerse the area in lukewarm to cool water. Immersion in a bath is better than running water to prevent further skin damage.

- If the burn appears to be more than superficial, call for emergency services. Do not attempt to remove clothing if it has adhered to the area.

- For less severe burns, apply a cool compress to the area. Do not place an ice pack or frozen gel pack directly onto the skin’s surface.

- Visit a doctor’s office or walk-in care center as soon as possible.

- Follow a doctor’s care plan closely - this may include applying antibiotic creams and other medications to the affected area.

4) Allergic skin reactions and insect bites. A sudden appearance of a rash, reddened skin, moderate to severe itching, and inflammation on the penis may be signs of an allergic skin reaction. This may occur on contact with certain plants or chemicals; insect bites may also produce similar symptoms. If this occurs, men should do the following:

- Wash the area thoroughly to remove all traces of the irritant in question.

- Apply an over-the-counter anti-itch medication such as hydrocortisone (the package directions should be followed carefully). Never apply a cream of any kind to inflamed or broken skin except on the advice of a doctor.

- Leave the area open, not covered with a bandage, to allow the skin to breathe.

- Follow up with a doctor.

5) Amputations. Difficult to think about - but it has to be mentioned… An amputation is a medical emergency, and emergency services should be called. In the meantime, the following steps should be taken:

- Apply compression to stop the bleeding.

- If possible, recover the severed portion of the member. Place in a plastic zip-lock type bag, then place this inside a second bag filled with ice.

- Give the severed portion to medical personnel for preservation and possible reattachment.

Ongoing treatment and daily care

Once the initial injury has healed up, men will want to give some thought to ongoing care of the penis, as well as to preventing further injury. Here are some steps to follow:

- Always wear underwear. A pair of supportive cotton briefs not only helps to prevent zipper injuries; they also protect against the constant friction of rougher clothing - a problem that can eventually lead to a deadening of sensation in the area.

- Always use a lube. A personal lubricant creates a slick surface that acts as a barrier between two layers of skin. Whether the second layer of skin belongs to a partner or his own hand, the friction that occurs without a lube can result in soreness and - again - loss of sensation.

- Exercise caution in the bedroom. Moving cautiously, speaking up if something feels uncomfortable, and avoiding acrobatic moves are recommended to avoid torsion or impact injuries.

- Use a penis health crème (health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil). Quality products that are formulated specifically for the penis contain ingredients such as vitamins, amino acids and antioxidants, all of which are vital for the health and function of the penile tissue. A good penis cream also contains high-end emollients that can soothe dry skin, restore moisture, and leave the penis looking and feeling healthy and responsive.