Penis Bumps? Look Into Purpura As a Cause

Although penis skin is generally smooth, penis bumps are not uncommon. Sometimes they can be pale and hard to see, which is often the case with benign Fordyce spots. Other times they may be large and obvious, as is often the case with hives or warts. And although they are harmless, sometimes they can be a signal that something is not right, which is why searching for and examining penis bumps is part of a good penis care strategy. One potential cause to add to the list is purpura, a fairly common condition.

About purpura

Purpura is a name given to a wide variety of skin discolorations that comes about from small blood vessels breaking. The blood leaking from the vessels forms spots, often raised. There are basically three different kinds of purpura:

- Petechiae are very small bumps, no more than 3 mm across, usually red, brown or purple in color.

- Ecchymoses are larger than petechiae, measuring at least 1 cm and resembling bruises.

- Palpable purpura refers to situations where blood vessels become inflamed in addition to breaking.

Purpuras usually appear in clusters - rarely is there just one purpura in a given area at a given time.

Is it dangerous?

A guy may wonder whether he should be concerned about penis bumps (or bumps elsewhere on the body) caused by purpura. That depends on the cause of the purpura, and for that he definitely needs to see a doctor.

Often purpura results from an autoimmune disorder in which the body starts attacking its own platelets, which causes the bleeding. This is usually not serious, although it can be if the bleeding occurs in an area such as the brain.

Purpura can also come about as a side effect of certain medications, transfusions, infections, lack of vitamin C or as a result of conditions like HIV, hepatitis C, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Epstein-Barr syndrome, and rubella, among others.

Some of these causes can be very serious, while others are relatively benign. But that is why it is important to visit a doctor and get a proper diagnosis. That diagnosis will also let the doctor know how to treat the purpura.

Treatment

• In some cases, no treatment is required, or the treatment may be minimal, such as switching medications. In other cases, more prolonged or involved treatment is necessary. Corticosteroids are often used to treat purpura, with treatment typically lasting from two to six weeks.
• If the purpura is resulting in more severe bleeding, doctors often treat with an intravenous application of immunoglobin. There are also drugs used to help boost platelet production, if it is determined that low platelet production is a chronic or continuing problem.
• Sometimes, especially when a person has a condition known as immune thrombocytopenic purpura, the purpura can come and go throughout their life (although once diagnosed, it can be managed to minimize the number of occurrences). In some cases, this can require lifestyle changes, such as avoiding some contact sports.
• When penis bumps occur due to pupura, it is possible that it may impact a man's sex life. The bumps themselves may be off-putting to a partner, who may worry if they are contagious or indicate an underlying problem. But sometimes the penis bumps may worsen when a man engages in vigorous sex (either with a partner or alone), as the physical activity may cause more purpura. So again, seeking a doctor's advice is recommended.
• Penis bumps, whether from purpura or not, often may cause a bit of soreness when the penis is active. Using a high quality penis health crème (health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven mild and safe for skin) can provide some relief. Definitely find a crème with a combination of Shea butter (a high-end emollient) and vitamin E (a natural hydrator), as the combination of moisturizers can prove vey soothing. The crème should also include alpha lipoic acid, whose antioxidant properties battle the excess free radicals that can weaken penis skin cells.