Penis spots on man's favorite tool: not something a guy ever wants to see. Real men who make proper penis care a regular part of their routine know that there are any number of things those spots can be, one of which is molluscum contagiosum. Fret not: it may sound like a deadly disease of some sort, but in fact, it's a common problem that is in no way fatal.

What is molluscum contagiosum?

Molluscum contagiosum (much more commonly called MC, because molluscum contagiosum is just pain to try to remember, much less to say) is a viral infection that causes small, red, raised dots to pop out on the skin. MC is not specifically a penis issue; it can occur on any part of the body.

The MC spots (called papules) are usually between 2 mm and 5 mm in width. While the spots tend to be red in general, they often are greyish in the middle. They cause no pain, but sometimes they can be quite itchy. Scratching them should be avoided, as this (along with friction from rubbing against clothing or other objects) can cause the papules to rupture, releasing a yellowish substance. This substance is an excellent vessel for spreading the virus that causes MC and is therefore highly contagious.

MC is most often associated with children and young adults, but a person of any age can contract it. In about 10% of cases, the infected person may also develop eczema in the area around the papules.

How many spots?

It's not uncommon for there to be a large number of spots - often up to two dozen - at one time. MC is highly contagious, so touching a papule - especially one that is oozing the yellowish substance - and then touching another part of the body can easily spread the virus. It's a good idea to wear latex gloves when examining the papules and to avoid touching any uninfected parts of the body until after the gloves have been removed and the hands washed.

MC on the penis

When MC occurs on the penis, it often means that it has been obtained from sexual activity with an infected partner; this can be from genital-to-genital contact when the partner's genitals are infected, or from hand-to-genital contact, if a man is masturbated by a person whose hands have MC. In some rare cases, MC can occur in the mouth, so it is also possible to catch MC from being on the receiving end of oral sex from a person with MC.

It is also important to remember that a man who has MC himself can pass the MC on to his own penis through masturbating with papules on his hand, or after touching the papules and then touching his own penis (whether for masturbatory or urinating purposes) without first thoroughly washing the hand.

Individuals with MC on the penis should definitely wear a condom while engaging in partner sex; they should also inform any partners that they have MC.

Treatment

MC usually resolves itself (in most cases without scarring) over a period of 12-18 months, although people with autoimmune disorders or who are undergoing chemotherapy can find MC to be much more persistent. When treatment is required, there are a number of topical solutions that may be employed; in some cases, the papules may be frozen, burned or scraped off.

As mentioned, in some cases, eczema can accompany these penis spots; using a top drawer penis vitamin cream (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil) can help this, as well as provide soothing relief to those penises without eczema; just remember that creams and lotions should not be applied to broken or inflamed skin without a doctor’s go-ahead. Thorough coverage of the organ with a cream that includes a superior emollient like shea butter will comfort and protect the penis. For even better health, make sure the chosen cream also includes L-arginine, which boosts nitric oxide production and helps keep the blood vessels open for increased penile blood flow.