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Embarrassing Bodies, 11:40pm Sunday 26th May 2013 on More 4. Catch up for free on 4oD »

Video

Dr Christian:
If you find a spot on your penis, chances are you’re going to panic. But however sensitive or embarrassed you may be of having a lump on your willy, get it checked out because your doctor is not going to chop it off and the sooner you get it diagnosed and treated, the less likely it’ll develop into anything serious.

There are many possible causes for penile spots and unprotected sex is one of them, because many sexually transmitted infections will manifest their symptoms on your genitalia so if you’ve not used a condom, and now have an unusual mark, go to your nearest sexual health clinic as soon as possible. They’ll be able to tell you if you’ve caught an STI and advise you on how it can be treated.

If you haven’t had unprotected sex but are concerned about a penile spot make an appointment to see your doctor. They can determine if there’s cause for concern by looking at the size, shape and colour of the marks.

Ulcers appear as craters in the skin, usually with a clear liquid or pus in the centre and generally multiple ulcers aren’t as serious as single ulcers. Herpes for example appears as multiple ulcers. They’re not life threatening but they are highly contagious and they need prompt treatment.

Penile cancer however normally appears as a painless, single ulcer and is life-threatening so should be treated quickly. Penile papules are small pimples or or nodules on the skin. Some like those that appear on the crown of the penis are absolutely normal. Others however, like warts are infectious and need to be sorted out.

Sometimes a spot is just a spot and it’ll disappear on its own just like the ones you get on your face. But safe is always better than sorry so if you do spot a spot, get it checked out. It won’t be anything your doctor hasn’t seen before and always wear a condom.

Read the video transcript

Quick Health Advice: Penis Spots

Finding a spot or spots on your penis can often induce blind panic. However, in this exclusive guide, Dr Jessen explains the benefits of getting diagnosis and treatment quickly, and talks through some of the likely conditions (from the serious to the harmless) that might have you awake at night. A spot is sometimes just a spot, but if you’re worried – then it’s nothing your GP won’t have seen a thousand times before!

If you’re suffering from any of the conditions featured on this site and want to apply for an onscreen consultation with one of the EB team then you can find more details here >>

Remember that you should always check with a health professional if you have any concerns about your health.

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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.

My husband has a red mark on the head of his penis, it looks like a blister. He has tried many treatments but they have not worked, and he has decided for us not have sex just incase, the mark has been there for about a month. Can u help please?





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I had sex with a girl 5 days ago and just realized I had a pimple looking bump on my penis about halfway up the shaft and when I popped it thick white stuff came out. I didn't know the girl well and don't know if I can trust her word on if she has anything or not. I'm freaking out please respond quickly I need to know if its serious or not.-Jordan





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I'm 13 and I have many small flat spots all around my penis and testicles, should I seek advice?





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I have a few spots around the crown of my penis, I've been waiting for it to heal but it hasn't should i see my gp or just wait i don't know how it has appeared as i haven't had sex?





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i have had a single red mark appear on my penis a month ago. at first it had a couple of little cuts in it which now have now healed however the red mark has stayed. it is painless however it wont go away. and some days appears redder than others





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I'm sixteen. But a late bloomer. Puberty began about 6 months ago. I have about 9-12 red spots on inner shaft (side that lies on scrotum). And maybe 2 or 3 real tiny ones up to the scrotum facing side on the head. I recently (2 months ago) began the sweat-a-lot period of puberty and even with daily 7 min showers and deodorant developed a ringworm (probably from taking off sweaty socks at the end of the day and then tiuching my back when taking off my shirt or measurin my arm put hair -.-Without prior washing my hands)) that I thought was just a scar from PE on some random day but it grew bigger and spread. I freaked out when I found out it was fungus and bought prescription cream (apply it twice a day) anti fungal powder (apply to face, then jock, then feet, washing hands perfusely in between, twice daily) and antifungal spray (I don't spray my face, and I spread it around my body and concentrate it on arm pits slightly jock tremendously and feet and shoes and bed sheets and towels focusedly and accurately dispursed twice daily, cept shoes towels are once a day) I honestly have no Idea how the circular devils are there. (and no, there is not a girl in high school that wants to hook up and screw with a 16 that's 5'2") PLEASE. OH PLEASE GIVE ME GOOD NEWS. I DON'T WANT A SAD HONEY MOON OR NO CHILDREN.





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Hi, On my foreskin there started off with a little crater looks a little like a stretch mark and recently more have been appearing i am 17 years of age Any advice





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I have brow stains on the head of my penes,I was wondering if that's normal 'cause I don't remember having them before. I pulled my forskin back and left it there like a year ago and now it's dry. I was wondering that tha's the reason I have those brown spots.





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I am 18 and have noticed i have 4 small white spots on the bottom just before you get to the penis head i am a virgin and had no sexual contact and am worried and wondered if you could help me out?





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I'm 14, and about 3 weeks ago, I noticed a red mark (about 3mm) on my penis head, it doesn't itch, isn't painful, appears larger when I have an erection, isn't at all raised, any ideas? I am a virgin, and it has been worrying me, I am about to book a doctors appointment soon. I have recently started going through puberty, maybe 6 months ago. Again, it isn't like a blister, or even really a spot, just a red mark. Help will be appreciated, thanks.





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....me too! I'm sixteen. But a late bloomer. Puberty began about 6 months ago. I have about 9-12 red spots on inner shaft (side that lies on scrotum). And maybe 2 or 3 real tiny ones up to the scrotum facing side on the head. I recently (2 months ago) began the sweat-a-lot period of puberty and even with daily 7 min showers and deodorant developed a ringworm (probably from taking off sweaty socks at the end of the day and then tiuching my back when taking off my shirt or measurin my arm put hair -.-Without prior washing my hands)) that I thought was just a scar from PE on some random day but it grew bigger and spread. I freaked out when I found out it was fungus and bought prescription cream (apply it twice a day) anti fungal powder (apply to face, then jock, then feet, washing hands perfusely in between, twice daily) and antifungal spray (I don't spray my face, and I spread it around my body and concentrate it on arm pits slightly jock tremendously and feet and shoes and bed sheets and towels focusedly and accurately dispursed twice daily, cept shoes towels are once a day) I honestly have no Idea how the circular devils are there. (and no, there is not a girl in high school that wants to hook up and screw with a 16 that's 5'2") PLEASE. OH PLEASE GIVE ME GOOD NEWS. I DON'T WANT A SAD HONEY MOON OR NO CHILDREN.





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It looks like no one else has asked this question, so please fill in the rest of your details below.





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More Information

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