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Contact afpserv aafp. Want to use this article elsewhere? Get Permissions. Read the Issue. Sign Up Now. Sep 15, Issue. Am Fam Physician. Figure 1. Figure 2. Penile carcinoma. Penile edema. Discussion The answer is C: obstruction of smegma-producing glands.
Figure 3. Selected Differential Diagnosis of Penile Mass Condition Characteristics Penile carcinoma Firm in consistency; likely to be fixed and nonpainful Paraphimosis Foreskin involvement; is circumferential Obstruction of smegma-producing glands Sebaceous glands located within the inner surface of the foreskin; doughy mass Condyloma Verruca-like appearance; superficial Penile edema Usually preceded by infection or trauma; waxing and waning course, not chronic.
Physiologic phimosis is common and normal among infants and children. Some children are born with tight foreskin at birth. Phimosis is normal for an uncircumcised infant or child, and usually resolves over time. Pathologic phimosis is a tight foreskin that results from scarring, infection, or inflammation of the foreskin. It is often associated with ballooning of the foreskin during urination, difficulty urinating, or infection. It can happen in children and adults.
Other symptoms of phimosis include redness, unusual discharge, and a tight foreskin. Depending on its severity, phimosis may be treated with:. Another condition that can arise from a build-up of smegma is balanitis , which is inflammation of the penis head and foreskin. Balanitis is characterized by a shiny red or red-orange hue, swelling, and tenderness of the penis, along with a foul odor and pain during urination. Bleeding may also occur.
It's most common in uncircumcised men and in those with phimosis. Balanitis may also be caused by:. Balanitis requires medical attention. Depending on the cause of the balanitis, different treatments may be prescribed. Typical treatment is a topical or oral antibiotic. Providers will recommend that those with balanitis to wash and dry under their foreskin often to reduce the risk of recurrent balanitis. Smegma that builds up around the clitoris can harden and cause the hood to stick to the shaft, which can be painful and result in clitoral adhesion.
The accumulated smegma can dry out and harden beneath the clitoral hood, resulting in irritation and pain. When the clitoral hood adheres to the clitoris, either partially or entirely, it prevents the hood from properly protecting the glans.
It is important for the glans of the clitoris to have adequate lubrication, which allows the clitoral hood to slide over the glans without sensitivity or discomfort. Clitoral adhesion can usually be removed by cleaning the area where smegma has built up. Home remedies like baby oil may also be used to loosen the accumulated secretion.
Special feminine soaps are not necessary. In fact, some of these products may cause further irritation. If the build-up does not clear up after a few days of cleaning, the pain worsens, or other symptoms develop, the smegma may be a symptom of an infection or something else. A doctor should be consulted.
In females, the hood of the clitoris can be gently pulled back to wash away accumulated smegma. Some argue that soap is best avoided because it depletes natural skin oils and may cause non-specific dermatitis. Deodorant sprays or washes may cause thrush or thrush-like conditions — washing using warm water only is recommended by health professionals if you have senitive skin, or suffer from dermatitis reactions to using soap like products.
Smegma has become part of a campaign being waged by a small but vocal [ citation needed ] anti-circumcision movement, with the movement citing the potential usefulness of smegma, which is generally lost following circumcision. Medical opinion is split on the whether this may be true or not. The term is one of the few English words referring to aspects of human genitalia that is of Greek and not Latin origin. Categories: Exocrine system Female reproductive system Male reproductive system.
Read what you need to know about our industry portal bionity. My watch list my. My watch list My saved searches My saved topics My newsletter Register free of charge. Keep logged in. Cookies deactivated. To use all functions of this page, please activate cookies in your browser. In most males, the foreskin is attached to the head of the penis from birth and starts to separate as they age.
This normal separation allows for the foreskin to be pulled back and cleaned. If the foreskin is forcibly retracted, it can lead to severe pain, bleeding, skin tears, and scarring. Most boys are around the age of 5 when they can retract their foreskin on their own. Some boys are unable to retract the foreskin until they are adolescents, and this is still considered normal. Some men and boys may experience a redness and swelling of the head of the penis. This is called balanitis. Males of any age who develop this condition should be seen by a pediatrician or doctor to make sure it is not being caused by one of the following:.
If the penis is not cleaned regularly, smegma can build up and may become smelly, infected, or prevent foreskin movement. Boys and men with a retractable foreskin should take the following steps when cleaning the penis to remove smegma:.
Remember to speak with a pediatrician or doctor if there is difficulty with pulling back the foreskin. Never force the foreskin back, as this can lead to both immediate and long-term problems. In women and girls, smegma may build up between the labia and around the hood of the clitoris. In most cases, it is nothing to worry about, and good hygiene practices should take care of the buildup.
In female infants, smegma may develop in the vulva sex organs outside of the vaginal area , where it acts as a protective barrier.
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