- Genital (penis or scrotum) symptoms in teen boys (after puberty)
- Penis symptoms include rash, pain, itching and swelling. Discharge from the end of the penis can also occur.
- Scrotum symptoms include pain and swelling of the testicle, itching and rash.
- This care guide covers symptoms not caused by an injury
Symptoms
- Penis symptoms include rash, pain, itching, and swelling. Discharge from the end of the penis can occur.
- Scrotum symptoms include pain and swelling of the testicle, itching and rash.
- Any genital pain that is not due to an injury is a concern.
Causes of Rashes on Penis or Scrotum
- Most rashes on the penis or scrotum are caused by skin irritants.
- Hand-to-penis contact is normal when passing urine. Therefore, the rash is most likely from an irritant that was on the hands.
- Examples are plants (such as weeds) or chemicals (such as bug spray). Fiberglass, pet saliva or even food can also be irritants.
- Rashes are more common in the summer. Reason: teens are outdoors and have more contact with plants and pollens.
Types of Foreskin Retraction Problems
- Paraphimosis. Forceful retraction can cause the foreskin to get stuck behind the head of the penis. This can cause severe pain and swelling. It's a medical emergency.
- Bleeding. If retraction is forceful, it can cause a small cut. This cut may cause a small amount of bleeding and pain.
- Foreskin Infection. This means an infection under the foreskin. The infection can start in a cut caused by forceful retraction. The main symptom is a red and tender foreskin. Pus may also ooze out to the foreskin opening. Passing urine is painful.
- Urine Retention (Serious). Can't pass urine or just dribbles urine, despite wanting to go.
Causes of Swollen Scrotum
- Torsion of the Testis (Serious). The testicle twists and cuts off its blood supply. It is always painful. Needs to be repaired within 6 to 12 hours to save the testicle. This is why seeing all males with a swollen scrotum is an emergency.
- Epididymitis. This is an infection of the epididymis, a tube that stores the sperm made by the testicle. There is one attached to the back of each testicle. It is always very painful. Caused by bacteria, often a sexually transmitted infection (STI).
- Orchitis. This is an infection of the testicle. It is always painful. It's mainly caused by viruses, such as mumps. Less common than epididymitis.
- Inguinal Hernia. A hernia is a loop of intestine that slides into the scrotum. Any new bulge that comes and goes is a hernia. All hernias need surgery to fix. Most of the time, the repair can be scheduled. If the hernia can't slide back into the abdomen, emergency surgery is needed.
- Varicocele. A clump of swollen veins above the testis, often on the left side. It becomes much smaller after lying down and draining. It is painless. It is also harmless and occurs in 10% of teens.
- Hematoma (Blood Clot) of Scrotum. Blunt injury can cause a large blood clot to form inside the scrotum. Sometimes, it needs to be drained. This can happen from being hit by a ball during sports.