Penile trauma

PM Abdul Gaffoor

 Department of Dermatology & Venereology, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar

Correspondence Address:
P M Abdul Gaffoor
Department of Dermatology & Venereology, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha
Qatar

Introduction

Penile trauma may be caused by several reasons. Any minor lesion over the genitals is a cause for alarm.Various cosmetics, shavers etc. used for removing the pubic hair may injure the genitalia. The hair will be short and sharp in two to three days after the shave. The sharp pubic hair of the female partner can traumatise the penile skin or glans pens.

Case Report

A 29 - year-old male patient attended the Dermatology clinic with multiple tiny erythematous maculo papular lesions on the glans penis, following a sexual encounter. He gave a history of sharp pubic hair of his partner. Apart from these lesions, no other abnormality was detected. Routine blood and serological tests were normal. He was advised local application of normal saline. The lesions resolved in four days time.

Discussion

The occurrence of penile trauma is seen more than before. Various causes of penile trauma are given in [Figure - 1]. Because of various sexual devices and newer techniques in sexual practice more injuries may occur on the genitalia.

Lack of lubrication of the genitalia during sex may cause minor injuries, because of friction. The sharp and short hair of pubic area may cause abrasions on the glans penis. Abrasion and minor trauma can occur on the glans because of fellatio. Long and tight prepuce causes[5] injuries to the prepuce and the glans penis resulting in balano-posthitis. Sometimes this may cause fissures around the perpuce. Prolonged intercourse may cause injury to the prepuce and the glans penis, especially if the patient has long prepuce. Many routinely used lubricants may induce contact dermatitis in users sexual partner.[1] The sprays containing benzothonium chloride can cause penile and scrotal dermatitis transferred from female to male partner.[2] Applications of antiseptic lotion to the genitalia often cause′ chemical trauma. Some of the patients use antiseptic lotion as a prophylactic against genital disease and also as a genital hygiene. The genitalia are sensitive to various topical preparations and may sometimes cause dermatitis or even ulcerations. Some of the metal objects used for masturbation induce strangulating lesions on the penis.[1] Penile skin laceration or avulsion usually occurs from industrial accidents.[4] Sometimes circumcision may result in partial removal of the glans penis and overzealous removal of the foreskin. Degloving injuries of the penis often occur when the penis and clothing are caught in machinery.[3] Unusual subtotal penile amputation in children has been reported.[5]

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