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What Causes Recurring Wax Like Thin Membrane Growth On Penis?

Posted on Wed, 23 Mar 2016

Question: I'd a wax like thin like a membrane growth on the penis; and everytime I wash it away, it will slowly grow back and visible in 3 to 4 days, and the cycle repeats. No pain, and it's not a liquid discharge, the skin of the penis is flat .

Answered by Dr. Muhammad Ahmad (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
This can be treated wuite easily.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Thanks for writing.

I am Dr.Muhammad Ahmad. I have read your question completely, i understand your concern and will try to help you in best way possible.

I have seen the pic.

It is normal in some people their glands secrete a secretion which dries up and then causes a layer to be formed on the skin of penis.

Its treament is verh easy and simple.

1) Keep a good hygiene get a soft soap and wash your penis daily.
2) Apply some emollient over the skin daily atleast once a day sepcially before sleeping.
3) Never scratch off any material from the penis.
4) Don't let the penis say moist..sweaty or wet for long.

by following these suggestions you can get rid of this issue which is actually not a problem to worry about.

I would suggest you to visit a dermatologist if it doesn't get better in a week or so even after following my suggestions. As in rare cases it can be a fungus doing this..You can use a simple OTC antifungal lotion too ...

M.B.B.S(Licensed Family Physician)

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Muhammad Ahmad (30 hours later)

Thanks for answer; is this also called Smegma ( Google has define Smegma as whitish substance that may be present on the genitalia. It is caused by the shedding of skin cells and it is harmless, although it may become problematic if it is allowed to build up. ).
I'd not seen or have this all along in my past 49 years so may I know what are the possible cause:-
a) Smegma is also described as a cheese or before drying up, a lubricant
b) why does it dried up now ? but in the past 49 years, it is the same secretion that dried up but not seen ? ;
c) or that some fungus you said act/feed on these secretions and dries up faster than allowing it to flow away;
d) could it be possible that having too few sex intercourse therefore leave the secretion dried up day by day or week by week some become apparent; as I said it come back every 3 to 4 days so is it usual to see drying up and new whitish layer form or because fungus speed up the appearing of white layer ...
e) could it be a form of STD spread from sexual intercourse.
by following these suggestions you can get rid of this issue which is actually not a problem to worry about.
f) any name for OTC antifungus lotion ??
Thanks

You can use a simple OTC antifungal lotion too ...

Answered by Dr. Muhammad Ahmad (2 days later)

Brief Answer:
It can be called smegma... .

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

thanks for writing back, yes it can be categorised as smegma ...basicly there are many causes of smegma and basically it is a build up layer on genitilia it has skin cell secretions and all.

It didnt happen in 49 years but happening now this can be due to many reasons.

1) weather change, dry weather.
2) Change if clothing material.
3) Change of type of job or daily activity you do.
4) Change in frequency of sexual activity..
5) Change in hygiene.
6) Lack of lubrication
7) Low intake of water.
8) Unknown reason

It is not an STD.

A fungus may be there you can use Fluconazole or Ketoconazol skin lotion usually it is there OTC.

It is simple to deal with it.. wash the penis daily with soft soap and use a good emollient like vaseline before you sleep..
It will get fine soon..

I hope this amswered you questions..if you have more questions feel free to ask.

Best regards

Dr.Ahmad

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Muhammad Ahmad (24 hours later)

Thank you Doctor for calming my nerve, and I am happy with your answer except one last bit below which I'd put ( -) negative, and ( 0) zero besides; 1) weather change, dry weather. ( -)
2) Change if clothing material. (-)
3) Change of type of job or daily activity you do.
4) Change in frequency of sexual activity..
5) Change in hygiene. (-)
6) Lack of lubrication (-)
7) Low intake of water. (-)
8) Unknown reason
To me ( -) means it aggravate the conditions, while (0) mean don't know which way the reason affect the conditions positively or negatively. For eg item 4) change in frequency, does it mean increase freq cause the conditions bad, or reduced frequency make it worst.

Answered by Dr. Muhammad Ahmad (11 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Here is explanation.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

Thanks for writing back, change in freuqency of intercourse refers to decreased frequency, this is because decreased frequecny lets the layer to gather up on the penis plus it also affects lubrication and generation cycle of the skin cells which causing more formation of layer on the skin.

some activities make it better like swimming , or physical work after which you have to take shower daily reduce this problem but job like long hours of driving, sitting ..inactivity makes the problem worse.

I hope this made you understand the problem better.

Regards

Dr.Ahmad

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. Chakravarthy Mazumdar