Pimple on Male Genital Area: What Causes Them, Can You Pop Them, and How to get rid?

Pimple on male genital area can develop on external genitals such as mons, scrotal skin, penile skin, where hair follicles and sebaceous glands are present.

Similar to facial acne, may develop when hair follicles become blocked. If inflammation or bacterial infection develops, the area may become red, swollen, painful, or filled with pus.

However, not every pimple-like bump in the genital area is actually acne. It may instead be folliculitis, an ingrown hair after shaving or waxing, a cyst, abscess, enlarged sebaceous gland, or certain infections.

If you are unsure whether the bump is actually acne, avoid popping it or applying medication without knowing the diagnosis.

Book an Appointment

Whatsapp: 66811163788 | LINE @dr.clitoria

What causes Pimple on Male Genital Area?

Acne-like lesions can develop on the external hair-bearing skin of the genital area, where hair follicles and sebaceous glands are present, such as the mons pubis, labia majora, scrotal skin, penile skin, and groin.

They do not develop around Glans of Penis because it does not contain the same type of hair follicles.

The general mechanism of acne involves several factors occurring together:

1. Increased sebum production
   Sebaceous glands connected to hair follicles produce sebum to help protect and lubricate the skin. When excess sebum accumulates, the follicle may become more easily blocked.
2. Accumulation of dead skin cells inside the follicle
   Skin cells that normally shed may combine with sebum inside the follicle, forming a small blockage called a microcomedone, which is considered an early stage of acne formation.
3. Blockage of the hair follicle
   As sebum and dead skin cells continue to accumulate, the follicular opening may become blocked and develop into a comedone or a raised bump beneath the skin.
4. Growth of naturally occurring bacteria inside the blocked follicle
   Cutibacterium acnes, a bacterium naturally found on the skin, may multiply inside blocked follicles where sebum has accumulated.
5. Inflammation develops
   The immune system responds to changes inside the follicle, causing redness, swelling, tenderness, and sometimes a pus-filled or inflamed pimple.

Are Pimples on Male Genitals Sexually Transmitted?

Pimples on the genital area are not sexually transmitted infections. Folliculitis, ingrown hairs, irritation, and certain cysts are not caused by sexual activity.

However, friction during sexual activity may irritate the skin and make an existing inflamed bump more painful or swollen.

How to get rid of Pimple on Male Genitals? And self-care

1. Temporarily stop shaving or waxing, especially if the bumps appeared after hair removal.
2. Do not pop or pick the bumps because this may increase the risk of infection, inflammation, or scarring.
3. Reduce friction by avoiding tight pants or tight-fitting underwear.
4. Change out of sweaty or damp clothing to reduce moisture and follicular blockage.
5. Clean the area gently. Avoid scrubbing the skin or using harsh antiseptic products.
6. Apply a gentle moisturizer to reduce irritation and support the skin's natural barrier and shedding process.
7. Antibiotic. If there are clear signs of infection, with doctor's prescription.
8. Abscess drainage. In case of pus collection.

Facial acne products containing strong exfoliating ingredients or high concentrations of active ingredients should not be applied to the genitals.

These areas are more delicate than facial skin and can become irritated or chemically burned more easily. Medication should be selected by a doctor when necessary.

When Should You See a Doctor?

You should consider seeing a doctor for evaluation if you notice any of the following:

• The lump continues to grow or becomes very painful
• There is a large amount of pus or significant redness and swelling around the lesion
• You develop fever or feel generally unwell
• There is a large one-sided lump near the vaginal opening
• The lesion looks like a blister or breaks open into a sore
• The bumps look similar to warts or gradually increase in number
• You repeatedly develop painful inflamed lumps that begin to leave scars
• The lesion frequently returns in the same location
• The bump does not improve within approximately 1-2 weeks
• You are unsure whether the lesion is acne, an ingrown hair, or a sexually transmitted infection

Pimple-Like Bumps on Male Genital Area That May Not Actually Be Acne

Many types of genital bumps can look similar to pimples, especially in the early stages. Other possible conditions should therefore also be considered.

>> Read more about bumps on the genital area

Genital herpes caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV) typically appears as clusters of clear fluid-filled blisters.