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Is A Small Bump On The Penis Shaft A Symptom Of Genital Wart?
Question: Is this a genital wart, skin tag, or something else?
Today I noticed what seems like a small, flat, smooth, off-white (few shades lighter than skin color) bump on the underside of the shaft of my penis, right where the foreskin folds begin. I'm hesitant to call it a bump because it doesn't appear to protrude. It's impossible to spot normally, and only becomes evident when the skin is stretched. I've attached a couple of pictures, although it was hard to get a good angle, I can retake them if necessary. You will also notice a red patch, which is embarrassingly a result of irritation from self-pleasuring.
I only noticed it today, but seeing as it's on the backside of my penis I have no idea how long it's been there because I never look there. The last time I was sexually active was maybe 3 weeks ago, it was unprotected but with a trusted partner who I believe has had the HPV vaccine. It's my understanding that warts take longer to appear than this. All of my other partners in the past year I have worn a condom with. Before that I was active with my ex-girlfriend who also had the vaccine.
Is this a genital wart, skin tag, or something else? Should I hold off on going to the doctors or make an appt?
Today I noticed what seems like a small, flat, smooth, off-white (few shades lighter than skin color) bump on the underside of the shaft of my penis, right where the foreskin folds begin. I'm hesitant to call it a bump because it doesn't appear to protrude. It's impossible to spot normally, and only becomes evident when the skin is stretched. I've attached a couple of pictures, although it was hard to get a good angle, I can retake them if necessary. You will also notice a red patch, which is embarrassingly a result of irritation from self-pleasuring.
I only noticed it today, but seeing as it's on the backside of my penis I have no idea how long it's been there because I never look there. The last time I was sexually active was maybe 3 weeks ago, it was unprotected but with a trusted partner who I believe has had the HPV vaccine. It's my understanding that warts take longer to appear than this. All of my other partners in the past year I have worn a condom with. Before that I was active with my ex-girlfriend who also had the vaccine.
Is this a genital wart, skin tag, or something else? Should I hold off on going to the doctors or make an appt?
Brief Answer:
The lesion is unlikely a genital wart
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to HCM.
Thanks for posting your query.
I saw the pictures sent by you.
It does not fit with genital wart, the surface of which will never be smooth little corrugated or rough to feel.
Do you experience any pain on pressing the lesion? It could be a furuncle or a early pustule.
As you rightly pointed out, incubation period for warts is usually long around 2-3 months. So it is unusual to have a wart within three weeks of intercourse. As your previous exposures were protected it is unlikely due to HPV (wart). Consult a dermato-venereologist. A close inspection will decide the nature of lesion.
Dr S.Murugan
The lesion is unlikely a genital wart
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to HCM.
Thanks for posting your query.
I saw the pictures sent by you.
It does not fit with genital wart, the surface of which will never be smooth little corrugated or rough to feel.
Do you experience any pain on pressing the lesion? It could be a furuncle or a early pustule.
As you rightly pointed out, incubation period for warts is usually long around 2-3 months. So it is unusual to have a wart within three weeks of intercourse. As your previous exposures were protected it is unlikely due to HPV (wart). Consult a dermato-venereologist. A close inspection will decide the nature of lesion.
Dr S.Murugan
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
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