Red Dots on Penis Head

If you noticed red marks on your penis, remember that changes in the appearance of the penis aren’t always because there is something serious going on. They can appear due to skin irritation, conditions like eczema, or minor infections. However, sometimes, red dots on your penis head can result from an underlying condition like an STD.

If a red dot on your penis head appears and goes away in a day or two, it could be because of irritation due to poor hygiene. But if it develops because of a serious infection, like a sexually transmitted infection, then the spot will linger for a longer period, and you will experience other symptoms too.

Some STDs that can cause a red or black dot on the penile head or shaft are genital herpes and syphilis. If you had unprotected sexual intercourse with someone infected with an STD or unaware of their STD status, you might have contracted an infection from them. 

Genital herpes: Resulting from HSV-2 and sometimes HSV-1, genital herpes can make red dots on penis head appear. Besides the penis, they can also appear on the thighs, buttocks, scrotum, and mouth. People who have unprotected sex with herpes-infected partners can get the infection. Other symptoms of genital herpes include bleeding ulcers, pain, and itchiness.

So if you have any of these symptoms along with the red dots on your penis head, it could indicate genital herpes, and you will need immediate medical attention. Herpes has no cure but treating it with the right medication can help with the severity and the recurrence of the symptoms.

Syphilis: One of the first symptoms people infected with syphilis get is a painless red spot on the genitals. You can get syphilis through any kind of sexual contact with an infected person. Besides red dots on penis head, the other symptoms of this condition are headaches, high fever, rashes, and even paralysis in severe cases.

Some non-STD infections that can cause red dots on the penis head are genital eczema, genital psoriasis, scabies, balanitis, and jock itch. If you aren’t sexually active, one of these conditions might cause the red spots on your penis.

Genital eczema: With this condition, you will experience severe itchiness, rashes, and sore skin. Excessive sweating, allergic reaction to certain products, and tight-fitting clothes can cause genital eczema. 

Genital psoriasis: You can also get red marks on penis because of genital psoriasis. It is a non-contagious condition that occurs due to skin irritation. Corticosteroids and calcipotriene cream can effectively treat genital psoriasis. Also, it is best to avoid sex when dealing with this condition, as friction can cause more irritation.

Scabies: Scabies occurs when the tiny scabies mites get inside the skin and eat the cells around it. You can get scabies if you come in close contact with someone infected by it. You will feel itchy, irritated, and get blisters on the genital area when you have scabies. 

Balanitis: It is a condition that causes your penis head to inflame. Along with that, you can get a smelly discharge, itchiness, and red dots on penis head. Balanitis can occur due to skin irritation caused by spermicides and products, STDs like herpes, psoriasis, and yeast infections.

Jock Itch: Caused by fungi, jock itch, is a common infection that causes red rashes on the genitals. When left untreated, the infection can spread to nearby areas like the inner thighs and buttocks. Antifungal creams treat jock itch effectively, but you might want to first make sure with your doctor that the infection you’re experiencing is jock itch and not something more serious.

Regardless of the cause, the ideal thing to do when you notice red dots on penis head is to see your doctor. It is especially important when other symptoms are accompanying them. Getting STD tests can also help you rule out the possibilities of many STDs at once.