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What Causes Foul Odor Around The Penis?

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Posted on Thu, 23 Jun 2016
Question: From penis bad rotten fish odor, after bathing and cleaning also continue smell with me. pl's suggest consulted with doctor,everything normal. Feel shame in-front others,when they close their nose
doctor
Answered by Dr. Harish Naik (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Few possibilities I have mentioned that you can discuss with local doctor

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX
Welcome.
I have gone through your query.
I would like to know few more information like since when you have this problem?
Is there any itching in and around that area?
Is there any discoloration around that area?
Do you stay in hot and humid climate?
Is there any burning while micturation?

I'll give possibilities that you can discuss with your dermatologist.

The most common causes of bad smell around the penis would be related to poor hygiene and skin infections. Uncircumcised men need to pull their foreskin all the way back to wash the head of their penis once or twice a day with soapy water. If that is not done, then secretions and a substance called smegma can accumulate and cause a bad smell.

Bad smell can also be resulted if your sexual partner suffer from bacterial vaginosis, gardnerella, or trichomonas.

Excess of perspiration can cause it and it is more likely to be aggrevated by presence of excess of hair. So if you have lots of pubic hair, remove them, while doing so take care not to injure the skin. Wash the area with water and apply mild soap loke dermadew or dove, tap it dry. You can apply dusting powder like Clocip.

If this does not help, a skin swab culture should be taken to diagnose an infection and be treated appropriately.

This provisional advice provided by me is based entirely on the input provided to me. I would suggest examination by the doctor.

I hope this suggestion might be of some help to you. Please accept my answer in case you do not have further queries.

Take care.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Harish Naik (8 hours later)
This problem I have more than ~ 11 months. Same cleaning procedure I have been following last 4 months (as prescribed by you) but no effect. I have masturbate continuously some time back from there on wards this problem started, I feel some of the hormone (may be even sperm) also pass through urine I feel week and tried quick
When i had discussed with doctor they are saying they didn't observe any smell but people around me closing their nose, for some of them get continuous cough when they expose to this smell. Even doctor says that is your perception, but practical something else is there. I feel shame on me because I am engineer lot of top people and sub-ordinate around me they will feel bad because of this bad smell
From my childhood on wards I have a problem in summer night during urination feel irritation, elder use to say body become hot that why. After taking bath 1-2hrs in water this problem will be resolve. (This not related to smell problem)
Even now also I never go under sun, Though my body become hot or not I don’t know but urination feel irritation I use to take lot water, some oil and water bath to cool the body – pl’s provide solution for this also
But health wise I am normal. I am bachelor, but hardly I had one time only but before itself I have this smell problem
Kindly suggest me any specialist that I have to consult.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Harish Naik (12 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Kindly follow the measures, it should be beneficial

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Good to hear from you.
I'll suggest you few measures that might be helpful.
1. Post masturbation, wash your private parts with cool water and with the antiseptic soap. Tap it dry and apply dusting powder like Clocip.
2. Wash the face and body with soap and water as cleansing twice daily usually removes the bacteria and yeast that cause odour. Some people may require a few days washing with an antiseptic soap.
3. Aroma oils can be added to the bath water.
4. Choose clothing that is loose and light coloured and change into freshly washed clothing often. Loose clothing allows passage of air, which reduces sweating. Similarly wear materials that breathe freely like cotton, while avoiding those that don’t like silk and nylon.
5. Wash armpit and groin with solution of vinegar in water to reduce body odour.
6. Wash armpits and hairy areas with tea water as the tannic acid in tea has antiperspirant properties.
7. Shaving in the armpits or pubic area can help to control odour.
8. Reduce intake of caffeine and stop. Take a balanced diet. Avoid excessive intake of spicy food to reduce sweating.
9. Aluminium chloride hexahydrate is prescribed by doctors when regular antiperspirants fail. It is applied at bedtime daily for around 10 days, then once a week as maintenance. It is prescription based agent you need to enquire about this with local dermatologist.

Regarding irritation during micturation, I would suggest you to get urine routine examination done to rule out urinary tract infection. Presently I would suggest you to drink plenty of water and drink cranberry juice which will be helpful. The need of antibiotic can be decided based on the investigation report.

This provisional advice provided by me is based entirely on the input provided to me. I would suggest examination by the doctor.

I hope this suggestion might be of some help to you. Please accept my answer in case you do not have further queries.

Take care.
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. Yogesh D
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Harish Naik

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2008

Answered : 2635 Questions

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What Causes Foul Odor Around The Penis?

Brief Answer: Few possibilities I have mentioned that you can discuss with local doctor Detailed Answer: Hi XXXXXXX Welcome. I have gone through your query. I would like to know few more information like since when you have this problem? Is there any itching in and around that area? Is there any discoloration around that area? Do you stay in hot and humid climate? Is there any burning while micturation? I'll give possibilities that you can discuss with your dermatologist. The most common causes of bad smell around the penis would be related to poor hygiene and skin infections. Uncircumcised men need to pull their foreskin all the way back to wash the head of their penis once or twice a day with soapy water. If that is not done, then secretions and a substance called smegma can accumulate and cause a bad smell. Bad smell can also be resulted if your sexual partner suffer from bacterial vaginosis, gardnerella, or trichomonas. Excess of perspiration can cause it and it is more likely to be aggrevated by presence of excess of hair. So if you have lots of pubic hair, remove them, while doing so take care not to injure the skin. Wash the area with water and apply mild soap loke dermadew or dove, tap it dry. You can apply dusting powder like Clocip. If this does not help, a skin swab culture should be taken to diagnose an infection and be treated appropriately. This provisional advice provided by me is based entirely on the input provided to me. I would suggest examination by the doctor. I hope this suggestion might be of some help to you. Please accept my answer in case you do not have further queries. Take care.