While you might find pearly penile papules (PPP) on your body, they are not harmful or a symptom of a sexually transmitted infection.
They are harmless rounded bumps that appear around the glans of your penis and range in size from 1 to 4 millimeters. They are not itchy or painful.
They are not a sexually transmitted infection
While it is common for men to worry about tiny, small bumps that develop on the head (glans) of their penis, pearly penile papules are not a sexually transmitted infection. They are harmless and will frequently fade with age.
Pearly penile papules are white, pink or flesh-coloured dome-shaped or filiform bumps that appear in one or two rows on the head of a man’s penis. They are usually a single to two millimeters in diameter and a few millimeters in height.
They are a normal part of the genital development process in males, and they can occur between 8 and 43 percent of men worldwide. They are most common in uncircumcised men and Black people, but can also occur in other races.
It is not known what causes them, but they often occur in late puberty. They can also be caused by other conditions, such as psoriasis or lichen sclerosus.
As a result, these growths are often mistaken for sexually transmitted infections like genital warts, but they are not. The former look more like cauliflowers, whereas the latter are shaped more like flattened shingles.
Both genital warts and pearly penile papules can be removed through medical procedures. But they are very different from each other in appearance and behavior.
Genital warts, for instance, are larger than pearly penile papules, can appear anywhere on the body and are caused by the human papillomavirus. They can spread to the anus, scrotum, and inner thighs and sometimes inside the anus or urethra.
On the other hand, pearly penile papules only occur on the head of a man’s genitals and can be removed by a dermatologist. They are normally white or flesh-coloured and resemble whiteheads.
If you notice a lot of bumps on your penis and are concerned about them, you should seek medical attention. You should make an appointment with a doctor who is experienced in treating these conditions.
The expert dermatologists at Strimling Dermatology, Laser & Vein Institute can help you get rid of these bumps quickly and safely, preventing them from becoming a nuisance. The procedure is painless and often a single visit will do it all.
They are not harmful
Pearly penile papules are a normal finding in men. They are not harmful and do not indicate disease or poor hygiene. Rather, they are part of the body’s natural process and disappear with age.
They are also not caused by sexually transmitted diseases. This is because they are not contagious and cannot be passed from one person to another through sexual contact.
Usually, they are a white or pinkish-white and sometimes translucent color that appear in one or two rows around the head of the penis. They can be a single bump or many, and they usually do not hurt or cause itching or discomfort.
If you are concerned about the appearance of these white bumps on your penis, you should speak to a doctor. He may use a dermatoscope to look at the bumps and make a diagnosis.
PPPs are often mistaken for genital warts, so it’s important to be clear with your physician about the condition. Both conditions can cause white or pearly bumps on the penis, but PPPs are more uniform in size and shape and do not spread from one penis to the next like genital warts.
Another condition that can be mistaken for PPP is molluscum contagiosum, which causes small fleshy bumps on the groin. These bumps tend to be less organised than PPPs and more scattered, which makes them harder to spot.
Lastly, there are Fordyce spots, which look similar to pearly papules but do not occur on the glans of your penis. Unlike PPPs, Fordyce spots are not usually a problem and do not interfere with the way you feel or function.
If you are interested in having your pearly penile papules removed, you should talk to a doctor who is experienced in this type of procedure. The doctor can help you remove the bumps safely without scarring or irritation. In addition, they can explain the process to you so that you understand what’s going on and avoid complications in the future.
They are not contagious
If you are worried about a white or pinkish spot on the skin of your penis, they may be pearly penile papules (PPP). These growths are not contagious and are usually harmless. If you are concerned about them, make an appointment with a healthcare provider so they can be diagnosed and treated.
PPPs are small, rounded bumps that form on the surface of your penis and are typically white or yellow in color. Some men find them unsightly and want them removed to improve their appearance. However, this is not a recommended course of action. Picking or popping the growths can result in scarring and infection, so it is best to get them removed by a doctor.
Medical professionals are not sure what causes these bumps, but they do believe they are normal skin variations. Some people are more prone to developing them than others. They are also more likely to develop in men who are not circumcised.
In most cases, your healthcare provider can diagnose pearly penile papules by looking at them under a handheld microscope-type instrument called a dermatoscope. They may also take a tissue biopsy to confirm the diagnosis.
Some men are worried about their growths because they mistakenly believe they are genital warts and that this could be a sign of an STI. This can cause a lot of stress in a man’s life, especially if it affects their sexual relationships.
Many women are also concerned about their bumps because they believe they are a symptom of a more serious condition. This can lead to tense or even angry conversations between partners, which is not healthy for any relationship.
A study from Singapore found that one in seven males who went to a clinic for sexually transmitted infections were diagnosed with only pearly penile papules and no infections. The study also found that a large number of the papules were moderate-to-large and were therefore more visible to other patients.
While some men think that the growths are an asymptomatic condition, others do not find them annoying and wish to have them removed. It is best to discuss any concerns you have about your growths with a healthcare provider before trying to remove them.
They are not a symptom of a more serious condition
Having pearly penile papules is generally nothing to be concerned about, however, they may be embarrassing and distressing to some men. If they are causing you pain or impacting your relationships, there are a number of treatments available that can help you get rid of them.
- Cryotherapy: This involves the application of liquid nitrogen to freeze the bumps. It is typically more effective than laser treatment, though it can be painful for some patients.
- Laser: This involves the application of a highly focused beam of light to remove superficial layers of tissue. It can be less painful than liquid nitrogen cryotherapy.
- Electrodesiccation and curettage (ED&C): This involves the targeted application of electricity to burn tissues that are then scraped off. It is often used to treat skin conditions that can cause itching and inflammation in the genitals.
The bumps look similar to genital warts, which are caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV). If they’re not treated, HPV can evolve into a type of skin cancer known as squamous cell carcinoma.
There are many different types of warts that can form in the genital area. Some of these warts can be contagious and others are not. If you have any warts in the genital area that are not getting better, it’s important to speak to your doctor.
In the majority of cases, genital warts are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). They are not harmful or contagious, but they can affect your sexual ability.
They are also a risk factor for squamous cell carcinoma of the skin, which requires complete removal to prevent the spread of infection. If you have any questions about the condition of your pearly penile papules, don’t hesitate to contact us.
We will be happy to assist you in your quest for a diagnosis and to discuss your options. Our board-certified cosmetic dermatologists are devoted to helping you get the best results possible with minimal pain and scarring.
If you’re suffering from genital warts, don’t be afraid to contact us. We’ll be happy to answer any questions you have and help you feel confident in your body.