Conditions
Pearly Penile Papules
Pearly Penile Papules, often abbreviated to PPP, are found around the head of the penis. Sometimes the foreskin needs to be pulled back in order to see them. The papules are small, smooth spots that are white or skin-coloured and 1mm-3mm across. They will often appear in small rows a bit like a string of pearls, hence the name. The good news is that penile papules are absolutely nothing to worry about as they pose no health risks and will not cause any pain or irritation. In fact, they are very common, with an estimated 20% of the male population developing them. There is no known cause of PPP.
Although they are not infectious and aren’t related in any way to sexual activity and personal hygiene, the papules can still be worrying for those who don’t know what they are and who may mistake them as an STI. Men with PPP should not pick them or attempt to squeeze them, as this could lead to scarring and infection. It is possible to have the papules removed for cosmetic reasons, which dermatologists may do by using a CO2 laser to vaporise the spots. This does not involve any injections in the penis as an anaesthetic cream can be used and men will be fully healed within one to two weeks. It is important to remember that despite this being a safe and effective procedure, removal is not obligatory. It is often opted for by people who are finding that the papules are affecting their self-confidence.
While PPP are harmless, it is always advisable to have any lumps or bumps in your genital area checked out by a doctor just in case.
Comments and Questions
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Please note: Unfortunately Channel 4 cannot respond to individual inquiries. If you have any concerns, you can check out NHS Choices, but ultimately it is always best to check with a health professional.
Hi I have small bumps. On my head. And when I'm hard they become realy notise s bul.do u know what it.might be
im 15 and have this condition. i didnt like the look of them and wanted them off so i came here. i also looked at another website that offered creams or oils to dry the skin and get them to peel off. i looked at the key ingredients of the only 5 star product and notices it contained 2% of salicylic acid. i noticed in my bathroom i have a garnier blackhead removal face wash that also contains 2% of the acid and so applied it to the pauples. so far it has reduced the apperance slightly and they have become much less sensitive :) so a blackhead cleanser containing the acid could be the solution. -it does burn very mildly when first applied for about a good 5 mins but nothing unbearable. hope this helps!!
i have something similar to this on my foreskin its quite a large amount of them and they are very noticable when erect but some times, not very often, they have a head on them as if they were acne and when squeezed a white solid substance come out the same as a spot on your face. Should i be worried?
this should be treatable my gp always turns me away..its soul crushing :( so hard to say to a girl ... o look these are normal.....easy said not done.
im 25 and i also have something simillar to this on my foreskin, i have lots of little spot like things all over the fore skin and they seem more concentrated at the end, i was told they are harmless and never worried about it again, but i would now like to try get rid of them
i have spots on my foreskin and i was wondering if its the same as this and im only 13 and im a bit worried about it because i seem to be getting more thanks zac,
How can you get rid of them? i have had them for an year now. Is there some sort of cream i can get
Am 14 and I slept with a girl after it I had something that looks like ppp and I thought it was an std so went got cheecked how do I get rid of them Is a cream possible where do I get it
i have somthing a bit simmerlar but instead of lines or clusters its one or 2 under my forskin anda few on my bell end. its causes no pain or irritation but when a rubed the spots in the shower they came off like a blister and left red marks in there place is there anywhere to upload a picture to show a health proffesional
Chris comments on a cream that gets rid of ppp is this possible ?
I found a site that sells a PPP cream www.pearlypenilepapules.me good luck mate
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