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Suggest Treatment For Smegma Accumulation On The Glans Penis
Question: When I pull back the foreskin of my penis, there is a thick, sticky, white substance there. It looks like a thin layer of film or soap residue on the head of the penis. it smells bad and I think it may be causing the tip of my foreskin to itch. I have been taking antibiotics recently for a bronchial issue. I'm wondering if that's the cause. I also had amazing sex with a woman, but that was at least two weeks before I noticed any penile itching. I haven't seen any other discharge from my penis. No pain while urinating or during ejaculation. No blisters or redness on the penis itself. Is this an STD or a yeast infection?
Brief Answer:
This is just smegma
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to HCM...
I can understand your concern for whitish material on the glans penis underneath the prepuce. I have seen the photo you posted. You do not worry, it is just a smegma. There is no need to worry at all...just improve the hygiene.
Smegma is the secretion of a sebaceous gland.. ...the cheesy sebaceous matter that collects between the glans penis and the foreskin.
Analogous to tears, smegma is the compilation of secretions by ectopic sebaceous glands located in the prepuce, the seminal secretions of the Cowper's gland and the prostate, the mucin content of the secretions of the urethral glands, and the sloughed epithelial cells. It provides the necessary mucosal lubricant and moisturizer and is rich in sexual pheromones.
Smegma should be cleaned regularly. It should not be left there for long time... as it may irritate and may cause balanoposthitis. Candidal infection is also likely to occur in such environment. Rarely smegma may prove to be carcinogen leading to squamous cell carcinoma of penis.
So, make a habit to clean the area between glans and prepuce regularly during bath. You may use diluted Dettol liquid to cleanse the area. You may take Sitz bath in a tub full with water mixed with few drops of dettol ...for 10 min. daily.
Short course of antifungal like Itraconazole 100 mg twice a day for one week may be taken.
I hope this would be sufficient to make clear your complaint...right?
Still, any query..you are welcome.
Thanks.
Dr.Ilyas Patel MD
This is just smegma
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to HCM...
I can understand your concern for whitish material on the glans penis underneath the prepuce. I have seen the photo you posted. You do not worry, it is just a smegma. There is no need to worry at all...just improve the hygiene.
Smegma is the secretion of a sebaceous gland.. ...the cheesy sebaceous matter that collects between the glans penis and the foreskin.
Analogous to tears, smegma is the compilation of secretions by ectopic sebaceous glands located in the prepuce, the seminal secretions of the Cowper's gland and the prostate, the mucin content of the secretions of the urethral glands, and the sloughed epithelial cells. It provides the necessary mucosal lubricant and moisturizer and is rich in sexual pheromones.
Smegma should be cleaned regularly. It should not be left there for long time... as it may irritate and may cause balanoposthitis. Candidal infection is also likely to occur in such environment. Rarely smegma may prove to be carcinogen leading to squamous cell carcinoma of penis.
So, make a habit to clean the area between glans and prepuce regularly during bath. You may use diluted Dettol liquid to cleanse the area. You may take Sitz bath in a tub full with water mixed with few drops of dettol ...for 10 min. daily.
Short course of antifungal like Itraconazole 100 mg twice a day for one week may be taken.
I hope this would be sufficient to make clear your complaint...right?
Still, any query..you are welcome.
Thanks.
Dr.Ilyas Patel MD
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Answered by
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