Finding a lump on the foreskin can understandably cause concern. While many are benign, this article provides general information on various potential causes, ranging from common conditions to less frequent, more serious concerns. This information serves as a general guide and should not replace professional medical advice. Any new or unusual lump on the foreskin should always be promptly evaluated by a healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate guidance.
Benign Explanations
Many lumps that appear on the foreskin are not a cause for serious concern and represent normal anatomical variations or minor skin conditions.
Fordyce spots are tiny, enlarged oil glands on hairless skin, including the foreskin. These small, painless, yellowish-white or reddish bumps are a normal finding and not associated with any disease. They may become more noticeable when the skin is stretched, such as during an erection.
Sebaceous cysts are common, small, slow-growing, movable lumps. They form when a sebaceous gland blocks, collecting sebum and dead skin cells. These cysts are generally painless unless inflamed or infected.
Skin tags are also frequently observed as small, soft, benign growths.
Smegma buildup, a whitish, cheese-like substance of dead skin cells, oils, and moisture, can be mistaken for a lump, especially in uncircumcised individuals. Significant accumulation can feel like a lump or form smegma pearls. Proper hygiene prevents excessive buildup.
Molluscum contagiosum, a viral infection, appears as small, flesh-colored or pearly, dome-shaped bumps, often with a central dimple. Spread through skin-to-skin contact, these lesions are generally benign and often resolve on their own, though it can take several months.
Infections and Inflammatory Conditions
Lumps on the foreskin can also arise from various infections or inflammatory processes, often requiring specific medical attention.
Genital warts, caused by Human Papillomavirus (HPV), are common sexually transmitted infections appearing on the foreskin. These can be flesh-colored, raised, or flat lesions, sometimes resembling cauliflower, and may cause itching or discomfort.
Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) infections cause small, painful blisters on the foreskin. These blisters typically rupture, forming shallow sores that crust over and heal. The appearance of these lesions is often accompanied by discomfort or pain.
Syphilis, a bacterial infection, can present as a chancre on the foreskin. This is typically a single, firm, round, and painless ulcer. Its presence signifies an active infection requiring immediate treatment.
Balanitis, inflammation of the glans penis or foreskin, is a common condition causing a lumpy or thickened appearance. It can result from irritation, bacterial, or fungal infections. Symptoms include redness, swelling, itching, pain, and sometimes a foul-smelling discharge or shiny, tight skin.
Fungal infections, like candidiasis (yeast infection), frequently cause foreskin irritation and lumps. They can cause redness, intense itching, small bumps, or a lumpy, white, cottage cheese-like discharge. The warm, moist environment under the foreskin is an ideal breeding ground for yeast.
Less Common but Serious Causes
While most foreskin lumps are benign or treatable infections, some less common but more serious conditions can also manifest as lumps.
Penile cancer is a rare cancer that can present as a lump, sore, or growth on the foreskin or other parts of the penis. This growth may appear as a persistent, non-healing lump or ulcer, a red or velvety patch, or a change in skin color or thickness. Other signs include bleeding from the penis or under the foreskin, or a foul-smelling fluid.
Pre-cancerous lesions, like Erythroplasia of Queyrat and Bowen’s disease, can precede invasive penile cancer. Erythroplasia of Queyrat appears as a red, shiny, velvety plaque on the glans or inner foreskin. Bowen’s disease presents as red or scaly patches on the penis, potentially with a warty or crusty appearance. Both are forms of penile intraepithelial neoplasia (PeIN) and carry a risk of progressing to cancer if untreated.
Peyronie’s disease involves fibrous scar tissue (plaque) under the penis skin. While typically on the shaft, it can be felt as a palpable lump. This condition can lead to penile curvature during erection, pain, and sometimes an hourglass deformity. Patients experiencing a lump in this area might initially be concerned about their foreskin.
Seeking Medical Advice
Always seek professional medical evaluation for any new, persistent, or concerning lump on the foreskin. Prompt consultation is important if the lump is painful, growing, bleeding, or accompanied by discharge, itching, redness, swelling, or difficulty with urination. Early diagnosis leads to more effective treatment outcomes.
During a medical visit, a healthcare provider will perform a physical examination and inquire about your medical history and symptoms. Further tests, such as swabs, blood tests, or a biopsy, may be necessary to determine the exact cause and guide treatment. You can consult a general practitioner or a urologist.