A rash on the penis is bad enough – a case of hives on (and around) the penis is even worse. Creating penis bumps and general redness, hives can be an annoying penis health concern. Men are often already self-conscious about benign penis bumps like Fordyce spots or pearly penile papules; hives, which give the appearance of being worse and of being contagious (although they are not) can be a definite turn-off to sexual partners. So it would reason that preventing hives is an excellent penis health strategy.
Urticaria
Although hives is its common name, the medical name for this condition is urticaria. And it is also known by other names, including welts or nettle rash. Hives present as a series of red, raised, itchy rash, which on the member can look like penis bumps. Sometimes there’s some scaliness involved, and typically the area between the bumps is also red. On people whose skin tone is darker, the redness may not be as pronounced as on those with lighter skin tones.
Where do these welts come from? Basically, they occur from the body’s attempts to fight an allergen, something that causes the body to increase its immune system response. In this case, it does so by increasing the amount of histamines in the body. This sometimes causes blood capillaries to leak, with the fluid gathering together in the skin and bringing about the hives.
Causes and prevention
There are numerous factors that can cause hives, which are often referred to as “triggers.” The best way to prevent hives is to know which triggers affect an individual and take steps to prevent the trigger from being activated.
Among the most common causes of hives are:
– Many different medications, especially some antibiotics, NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, like aspirin), and ACE inhibitors.
– Stress
– Extreme and sudden changes in temperature
– Many foods, especially some nuts, shellfish, strawberries, wheat and products made from wheat, and eggs
– Pet dander
– Common infections such as a cold or the flu
– Bacterial infections
– Latex
– Fever
– Dust mites
– Poison ivy and poison oak
– Insect bites or stings
– Too much sunlight exposure
When the trigger is known, it is easier to determine preventive measures to take. For example, doctors could try changing medication options if the current drug used is a trigger for hives. If, say, eggs are a food trigger for a person, he will need to avoid eating eggs and, depending on just how sensitive, also avoid foods in which eggs are a large component. (In most cases, people have allergies to the egg whites rather than the yolk, by the way.) Wearing long pants and long-sleeved shirts when venturing into wooded areas that may harbor poison ivy or poison oak may help prevent hives caused by these plant triggers.
Stress is a very common trigger, and it can also be a secondary trigger, that is, another trigger may cause the hives, but stress may worsen it. Working with a doctor or other professional to determine ways to help lower stress can be a big help in preventing hives.
People with hives should speak to their doctors to determine a treatment plan and a plan to prevent a recurrence once it is successfully treated.
Penis bumps from hives are likely to benefit from daily application of a first-class penis health oil (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil , which is clinically proven mild and safe for skin). Not all penis health oils are equal, so carefully examine the ingredients list. What is needed is one that contains both a high-end emollient (shea butter is a good one) and a natural hydrator (such as vitamin E). Ideally, the oil should also include vitamin A, which has special antiaging benefits and helps fight common skin blemishes.