10 Causes of Rash on Penis: How to Treat and Prevent Them

What Causes a Rash on the Penis?

There are both non-infectious and infectious causes. Many conditions look similar, so it's important to pay attention to symptoms and other changes in your body.

1. Balanitis

Balanitis is inflammation of the glans penis. It is not considered an STI. The condition itself is not transferable from one person to another, but the organisms that cause balanitis can be transferred.

It may look moist, irritated, or even develop a white coating.

• Redness or swelling on the glans
• Itching or burning
• Pain or discomfort during urination or sex
• Foul-smelling discharge
• Tight foreskin (phimosis)

Poor hygiene, trapped moisture, irritating soaps, and infections (fungal or bacterial) are common triggers. Balanitis is more common in uncircumcised men and can also be linked to diabetes or allergic reactions.

2. Yeast Infection (Candidiasis)

A yeast infection happens when the natural balance of yeast on your skin is disrupted, allowing Candida fungus to overgrow.

The area may look moist and slightly swollen.

• Itching or burning
• Rash with white patches
• Discomfort or soreness
• Foul odor
• Redness under the foreskin

Caused by an overgrowth of Candida yeast, often due to warm, moist environments. Risk increases with recent antibiotic use, diabetes, or unprotected sex with a partner who has a yeast infection.

3. Sexually Transmitted Infections

Some STIs like herpes, syphilis, or HPV can cause rashes, blisters, or sores on the penis. Many STIs don’t show signs right away, so regular check-ups are important.

• Herpes: Clusters of painful blisters that may burst and crust over
• Syphilis: Painless ulcer or sore followed by a body rash
• HPV: Small, flesh-colored bumps or warts, often clustered

• Blisters or ulcers
• Itching
• Pain or burning
• Flu-like symptoms
• Genital warts
• Swollen lymph nodes

Contracted through sexual contact. These infections can be silent for a while, so regular testing and protection during sex are important.

4. Allergic Reactions (Contact Dermatitis)

This rash happens when your skin reacts to something it touches

• Itching
• Redness
• Burning or stinging
• Dry or cracked skin
• Sometimes blisters

Triggered by soaps, detergents, latex condoms, lubricants, harsh laundry detergents, or new skincare products. It’s the skin's way of reacting to a substance it sees as an irritant.

5. Psoriasis

Psoriasis is an autoimmune skin condition that can affect different parts of the body, including the penis. It usually doesn’t have the thick scales you might see on other body parts. It's not contagious and tends to come and go in flare-ups.

Unlike other areas, penile psoriasis usually doesn’t have thick scaling.

• Red, shiny, well-defined patches
• Mild itching or burning
• Smooth, shiny appearance (not scaly)

Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune skin condition. Stress, infections, or skin injury can trigger flare-ups.

6. Lichen Planus

Lichen planus is an inflammatory condition caused by the immune system mistakenly attacking the skin or mucous membranes.

It can affect the penis and sometimes other areas like the mouth or wrists.

• Itchy rash
• Flat purple-red bumps
• White lines or streaks
• Can affect other areas (mouth, wrists)

The exact cause is unknown, but it may be linked to the immune system.
It's thought to be autoimmune, sometimes linked to hepatitis C or reactions to medications.

7. Lichen Sclerosus

Lichen sclerosus is a rare autoimmune condition that causes thinning and lightening of the skin. It mostly affects the genital area and is more common in women than men.

• White, smooth patches
• Itching or soreness
• Tight foreskin
• Pain during urination or sex

An inflammatory skin condition. The cause isn’t fully known, but it may involve autoimmune factors.

8. Scabies or Pubic Lice

Tiny mites (scabies) or lice can burrow into or cling to your skin, causing red bumps and severe itching. You might feel it more at night or notice tiny bites. These are contagious and often spread through close contact or shared bedding.

• Intense itching (especially at night)
• Red bumps or bites
• Crawling sensation
• Skin irritation from scratching

Caused by mites (scabies) or lice passed through close contact or shared bedding/towels. Highly contagious.

9. Eczema

Eczema is a chronic skin condition that shares similarities with autoimmune disorders, though it isn’t officially classified as one.

• Itching
• Dry, flaky skin
• Cracked or irritated patches
• Redness or soreness

Eczema is a skin sensitivity issue. Often triggered by allergens, stress, or irritation from clothing or soaps.

10. Irritation from Hygiene Products, Clothing, or Friction

The skin on the penis is sensitive and can react strongly to physical or chemical irritants in daily life. This type of rash is not caused by an infection but rather by contact with something that rubs, dries out, or inflames the skin.

• Itchy or irritated skin
• Redness in contact areas
• Burning sensation
• Rash from chafing

Common triggers are tight or abrasive clothing, harsh soaps or detergents, overwashing, and prolonged rubbing during sex or masturbation. These factors can lead to a condition often described as a friction burn. Moisture trapped by non-breathable fabrics can worsen the reaction.

If you're unsure what causes your symptoms, try the skin rash symptom checker to get a better idea of what might be going on.

When to See a Doctor

These symptoms could point to something more serious or something that needs medication.

• The rash lasts longer than a week without improving
• You have pain, swelling, open sores, or a fever
• There’s discharge from the penis
• The rash keeps coming back
• You’ve had unprotected sex or might have been exposed to an STI

How Is a Penile Rash Diagnosed?

If you visit a doctor, here’s what might happen:

• A physical exam to check the rash and ask about your symptoms and medical history
• Swabs from the affected area to test for bacterial, viral, or fungal infections.
• Blood tests or skin scrapings to check for syphilis, scabies, or autoimmune conditions.

The process is usually quick and straightforward, and it helps ensure you get the right treatment.

How to Treat Penile Rash

The treatment depends on what’s causing the rash. A doctor might recommend:

• Antifungal creams for yeast infections or balanitis
• Antiviral medications for herpes
• Antibiotics if a bacterial infection or syphilis is diagnosed
• Steroid creams or gentle moisturizers to calm inflammation in eczema or psoriasis
• Avoiding known triggers, such as soaps, detergents, or tight clothing

Important: Don’t try to treat the rash yourself unless you’re sure what it is. Some creams can make certain conditions worse.