Pearly penile papules
| Pearly penile papules | |
|---|---|
| Specialty | Urology  |
Hirsuties papillaris genitalis (more commonly referred to as 'pearly penile papules', or PPP) is a skin condition of the male genital organs. It is a harmless anatomical variation with no malignant potential, although it can be mistaken for HPV warts by inexperienced doctors. [1] The papules appear as one or several rows of small, flesh-colored, smooth, dome-topped bumps situated circumferentially around the corona (see image) or sulcus of the glans penis.
Pearly penile papules are not a sexually transmitted disease and are in fact quite common. Various studies have shown that the incidence may be between the values of 8% and 48%, varying with region and whether or not the subjects are circumcised. [2]. Lesions typically are asymptomatic and persist throughout life; however, they gradually may become less noticeable with increased age. Sensitivity may or may not be a problem. They range in size from less than 1 mm to 3 mm. [3]
There is no need for treatment, and it is often advised against, however some people choose to get them removed for cosmetic reasons having them removed with a CO2 laser or with a hyfrecator.[3]
A similar condition, vestibular papillomatosis of the vulva or "Hirsuties papillaris vulvae", [4] occurs in females and similarly can be misinterpreted for HPV infection. Like hirsuties papillaris genitalis, it is a normal variation on human anatomy.[5]
Medical Cures
Though there is no risk to your health, you don’t have to live with them. If you are feeling self-conscious or embarrassed by them, carbon dioxide laser ablation can remove or reduce the appearance of, or in most cases permanently remove the bumps.
It is a rather simple procedure, with little to no discomfort during the recovery. A dermatologist uses the CO2 laser to carefully vaporize the bumps. Your doctor will numb the area first with topical lidocaine only. No injections are needed to numb the treatment area. Afterward, there will be some scabbing and swelling, but don’t worry – you should be back to normal in a week or two. CO2 laser ablation is the safest and most effective method of treatment.
Home Remedies
Up until recently the most popular at-home-remedy was the daily direct application of toothpaste to the papules. While a good majority of the people trying this method reported seeing a reduction in size, the overall remedy was seen as a waste due to the fact that the toothpaste; severely dried out the penis skin, caused sensitivity to the application site, and did nothing in the long run as the papules returned to their full size quickly after stopping the toothpaste application
However there is a promising new at-home-remedy that is just starting to break through which involves numbing the penis with a Lidocaine/prilocaine topical anesthetic in the form of EMLA (A numbing agent often used to numb babies before shots are given), then using a soldering iron to burn the papules off. While many people remain skeptical of this remedy, the fundamental principle behind it is exactly the same as the ablation with the CO2 laser, which is application of focused heat to burn off the legions. Several people have reported excellent results with this procedure, and have achieved permanent removal of the papules. The most popular article and testimonials are located on a medhelp.org forum post located here
- Warning:
The soldering iron method of removing pearly penile papules is risky and can result in permanent scaring and possible infection. It is an experimental self-surgery and therefore cannot be endorsed by Doctors. If one decides to go forward with this procedure, the must do so at their own risk and be prepared to suffer the possible repercussions.
See also
References
- ^ Human papillomavirus, genital warts and vaccination by Dr Laura Pye. InnovAiT, Royal College of General Practitioners, 2009
- ^ Circumcision and Human Rights by George Denniston, Frederick Mansfield Hodges, Marilyn Fayre Milos
- ^ a b Oxford handbook of genitourinary medicine, HIV, and AIDS, Volume 13 by Richard Pattman, Michael Snow, Pauline Handy, Babiker Elawad
- ^ Vestibular papillae of the vulva. Archives Dermatology 126: 1594-1598. Moyal-Barracco M et al. 1990
- ^ Colposcopy of the Vulva, Perineum and Anal Canal
Further reading
- Sonnex C, Dockerty WG (1999). "Pearly penile papules: a common cause of concern". Int J STD AIDS. 10 (11): 726–7. doi:10.1258/0956462991913402. PMID 10563558.
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External links
- DermAtlas—more images