A rather unpleasant symptom that can indicate the occurrence of a number of diseases in men is an ulcer on the penis. And most importantly, what they should do when a symptom is manifested is to immediately seek help from an appropriate specialist. Otherwise, you can start a serious illness, the consequences of which can radically change the usual life of a man.
Basic information
In medicine, an ulcer on the penis is called balanoposthitis. The main reason for the occurrence of such a disease is latent infections that enter the male body during sexual intercourse. Such a nuisance turns for the patient himself into a serious physical and psychological problem.
Without treatment, ulcers will increase in size and cause a lot of inconvenience, therefore, with the manifestation of their smallest formations, it is better to immediately seek help.
Causes and main signs of the disease
Ulcers on a penis in a man can be of different shapes and sizes. It depends only on the disease, the manifestation of which is the named symptom. Exclusively by external signs, it is very difficult to make an accurate diagnosis and start treatment, therefore, after a visual examination, the doctor prescribes a number of special tests. To do this, the contents of the ulcers are sent for laboratory testing, by which it will be possible to already say for sure what to fight against.
According to practical analysis, the appearance of ulcers on the penis, as a rule, indicates the presence of the following diseases:
- syphilis;
- herpes of the penis:
- soft chancre and others.
The main symptoms of the disease
The main signs of ulcers on the penis caused by infection are:
- decreased appetite;
- fever;
- general weakness;
- malaise;
- fatigue;
- joint and muscle pain;
- enlarged lymph nodes in the groin area;
- feeling of apathy;
- decreased performance.
If, in the presence of ulcers on the genital organ, several of the above symptoms are additionally detected, you should immediately consult a doctor.
Herpes
The causative agent of genital herpes is the herpes simplex virus (HSV). There are no more than 8 varieties of the noted disease, but those that provoke its manifestation on the genitals belong to the first and second type.
The named disease can be transmitted from a sick person to a healthy person by airborne droplets, contact-household (rarely) and sexual contact. In this case, regardless of the route of transmission, rashes may appear on the genitals. Most often, these are small ulcers on the penis, which over time dissolve independently. It is worth noting that in a man, herpes can pass almost asymptomatically. And to confirm its presence, you just need to take an analysis of the contents of the rashes and wait a bit.
Unfortunately, it is impossible to completely get rid of such a disease today - once once in the body, the herpes virus remains there forever. But therapeutic measures will help increase the interval between relapses of the disease. Most often, treatment is carried out with drugs such as Famciclovir, Valaciclovir or Acyclovir.
At the same time, if herpes in men will manifest itself too often, it is worth thinking about strengthening the immune system and a course of antiviral drugs. The duration of the relapse depends not only on the right treatment, but also on compliance with some general rules, including a minimum of physical exertion and stress and proper nutrition. So far, the most effective remedy for herpes has been recognized as Acyclovir or Zovirax, which is sold in the form of ampoules, tablets and ointments.
Syphilis
An ulcer on the penis may also be the first sign of syphilis - a sexually transmitted disease that is transmitted sexually. Its course has four periods. In this case, the time from the moment of infection to the appearance of the first solid chancre is considered incubation . And the primary period is characterized by an increase in lymph nodes and the appearance of a specific rash on the mucous membrane and skin.
A week later, in this place ulcers occur, which are located on a hard bottom. Most often, such lesions are covered by a serous composition and occur along with a specific rash. To diagnose syphilis by ulcers, it is necessary to undergo serodiagnosis, pass a PCR analysis and conduct a macroscopic examination in a dark field. Treponemal tests may be needed as an adjunct.
To understand how to treat ulcers on the penis, you will first have to find out what kind of disease they are caused. Treatment of syphilis, depending on the stage of its neglect, can be complex or strictly individual. It is based on antibiotics from the penicillin group, which are replaced, in cases of a possible allergic reaction, with other drugs.
In severe cases of the disease, syphilis ulcers can remain on the penis even after complex treatment. Then it is worth supplementing the course of antibiotics with fortifying drugs, immuno-and physiotherapy.
Gangrenous balanitis
Another cause of ulcers on the surface of the male genital organ is a disease such as balanitis. To the appearance of such an unpleasant disease can lead to infection of the genitourinary system, poor personal hygiene, tight underwear and phimosis. In this case, an ulcer initially appears on the skin of the penis, or rather, on its head. From the side, it looks like a small shallow groove covered with pus.
Most often balanitis is accompanied by high fever, general malaise and dry mouth. With untimely treatment, necrosis of the head of the penis may begin . Therapy of gangrenous balanitis is carried out comprehensively.
Initially, the patient will have to abandon sexual contacts during the treatment period. Next, you will have to drink a course of sulfa drugs and antibiotics. Be sure to do lotions with an antiseptic all this time, with the help of which ulcers with purulent contents are disinfected. Most often it is ordinary potassium permanganate or "Chlorhexidine". By the way, if the causative agent of the disease is an infection, the affected areas of the penis will have to be treated 3-4 times a day with Levomekol ointment.
Chancroid
A purulent ulcer on the penis can also occur as a result of a chancroid - another sexually transmitted disease. Most often, this pathology is diagnosed in residents of Africa, Latin America and Asia. From unprotected intercourse to the period of the appearance of the first redness on the penis, at least 10 days pass. Over time, ulcers appear on the spot of red spots, and then a fetid ulcer forms. With a soft chancre, the edges of the wound are quite plastic, the pus is light, although the wound itself is very painful.
The treatment for such a disease is quite simple if it is not started. For this, antibacterial therapy or sulfanilamide drugs are prescribed. The course is at least 2 weeks, after which the patient will have to undergo regular examinations by the doctor for about 6 months in order to avoid relapse of the disease.
As additional drugs for deeper treatment, you can use local antibiotics as lotions and ointments. In a more advanced stage, surgical intervention is possible.
Prevention
In order for the described problems to no longer bother the male representatives, a number of simple preventive measures should be constantly carried out:
- Refusal of active sexual intercourse, in which damage to the penis may occur.
- The use of condoms.
- Compliance with personal hygiene.
- Avoidance of casual sexual intercourse.
Paying attention to these points and observing them in the future, you do not have to worry that there will be an ulcer on the penis.