When a guy is really into good penis care, he wants to know when a situation is normal and healthy and when it’s become a "thing" instead. An STI? That’s definitely a thing. A penis that won’t perform? Yeah, guys don’t want that thing. But what about a red penis? Is that a thing or not? The answer is, "It depends."

When it’s not

For most fair-skinned males, it’s normal to get a red penis on occasion - such as when said penis is erect. After all, the erectile process is dependent on the entrapment of blood in the penis. When the spongy tissues in the penis fill up with blood, the penis becomes bloated and engorged and achieves its erect state. The presence of all that blood underneath thin penis skin gives a red hue to the organ. (In men with darker skin tones, the appearance may not be red, but there is generally a differentiation in hue of some sort.)

There are other times when the organ is not erect when a red penis is also not a thing. For example, if a guy has a great workout at the gym and then indulges in a nice, relaxing steam bath, it’s likely that the heat from the sauna will redden his member temporarily.

When it is a thing

But there are occasions when a red penis does become a thing, and when it therefore may need some attention from a guy. The following are several examples of a red penis that signal some health-related issue:

1. Rough handling. Having raucous, unlubricated sex with a comely maiden (or one’s own right hand) can result in some sensational sex - and a raw, sore penis that is a bright red. When redness results from too much friction, a guy needs to take steps to let the penis recover. Laying off of the sex (whether with a partner or oneself) for a little while helps, as does moisturizing the tormented penis skin.

2. Penis rash. Sometimes a skin condition results in splotchy red patches appearing on or around the penis. The skin may simply be red, or it may have a "texture" issue as well, being flaky or peeling. Determining the cause of the rash is important. For example, it is often the case that the rash is the sensitive penis skin’s reaction to a chemical or fragrance in soap or detergent, and switching to something milder can help address the rashiness. If it is due to an allergy, a doctor may need to be consulted to determine the cause.

3. STI. Men who engage in unprotected sex are much more likely to acquire an STI, and often one of the warning signs that an STI is present is a red rashy look to the penis. Often the redness will be localized in one spot, such as the tip. There may be other symptoms, such as pain or soreness; but even if there are not, if a man suspects the red penis is due to an STI, he should definitely see a physician.

4. Jock itch. And, of course, the infamous jock itch is characterized by red round patches on the penis and surrounding areas. This is caused by a fungus, so some form of anti-fungal treatment is recommended.

Whether the red penis is the result of a thing or not, guys should work to keep their members in good health. Regular use of a superior penis health crème (health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven mild and safe for skin) is one way to make this happen. When redness demands moisture, a crème that includes both a high-end emollient (such as Shea butter) and a natural hydrator (such as vitamin E) is best. It also helps if the crème contains alpha lipoic acid. A potent antioxidant, alpha lipoic acid combats free radicals that can promote oxidative stress and make penis skin appear wrinkled and aged beyond its years.