SymptomMen's health
Bumps on Penis: What They Could Be
Bumps on the penis are very common and are often harmless normal skin features, such as pearly penile papules around the head or tiny Fordyce spots on the shaft. Other causes include ingrown hairs, genital warts, herpes, molluscum contagiosum and skin conditions like lichen planus. Painful blisters or sores, a new painless ulcer, or bumps that are spreading need a medical check and STI testing. There is no safe quick cure, and you should not pop, cut or burn them off at home.
Also called: Penile bumps, penile spots, penile lesions, genital bumps in men
At a glance
- Most common harmless causes
- Pearly penile papules, Fordyce spots, ingrown hairs and small cysts.
- Common infections
- Genital warts, herpes, molluscum contagiosum and syphilis.
- Key clues
- Where the bumps are, whether they hurt, itch or blister, and whether they are spreading.
- When to get checked
- Any new bump after sex with a new partner, painful blisters, ulcers, or bumps that grow or bleed.
- What not to do
- Squeeze, cut, burn or use wart removers meant for hands on the penis.
When to get help
Call 911 or go to the ER
- A painful, swollen, red penis with fever, or redness spreading quickly up the shaft or into the groin
- An erection lasting more than 4 hours, or a sudden snap with swelling and bruising during sex
See a doctor within a day or two
- Painful blisters or open sores, especially with flu-like symptoms or painful urination (possible first herpes outbreak)
- A painless, firm, round ulcer, which can be primary syphilis even though it does not hurt
- Bumps with discharge from the penis or burning on urination
- Not being able to pull the foreskin back over the head after retracting it, with swelling
Book a routine appointment
- New flesh-colored or cauliflower-like bumps that are spreading
- Small, dome-shaped bumps with a central dimple
- An itchy rash or white patches on the head of the penis lasting more than 2 weeks
- A bump, scaly patch or sore that bleeds, grows or does not heal within 4 to 6 weeks
Usually safe to manage at home
- Rows of tiny, smooth, skin-colored bumps around the rim of the head that have been there for months or years
- Tiny pale yellow or white spots on the shaft that do not change
- A single tender red bump around a hair at the base, after shaving
Identify bumps on the penis by appearance
Use this as a guide, not a diagnosis. Several conditions look alike, and a clinician can often tell at a glance.
| What you see | Where | Likely cause | Contagious? |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 to 3 rows of tiny, smooth, dome or finger-like bumps | Rim of the head (corona) | Pearly penile papules | No |
| Tiny pale yellow or white spots, 1 to 2 mm | Shaft, foreskin | Fordyce spots | No |
| Flesh-colored, rough or cauliflower-like bumps | Anywhere, including around the anus | Genital warts | Yes |
| Clusters of small painful blisters that burst into sores | Shaft, head, foreskin | Genital herpes | Yes |
| Smooth, shiny, pearly bumps with a central dimple | Shaft, pubic area, thighs | Molluscum contagiosum | Yes |
| Painless, firm, round ulcer | Head or shaft | Primary syphilis | Yes |
| Red or pus-filled bumps around hairs | Base of the penis, pubic area | Folliculitis or ingrown hairs | No |
| Firm, yellow-white lump under the skin | Shaft, scrotum | Epidermoid cyst | No |
| Flat-topped, shiny, purple or white lacy bumps | Head of the penis | Lichen planus | No |
| Very itchy small bumps, worse at night | Shaft, scrotum, also hands and wrists | Scabies | Yes |
| Red patch or spots on the head with soreness | Head and foreskin | Balanitis | Sometimes |
Harmless bumps that are normal skin
Pearly penile papules affect a large share of men, more often uncircumcised men, and usually appear after puberty. They are small, evenly spaced, skin-colored or white and do not itch or spread. They are not warts and not caused by an infection.
Fordyce spots are visible oil glands. They are also found on the lips. They do not need treatment.
Tyson glands are tiny oil glands on either side of the frenulum (the band of skin under the head).
These do not need treatment. Cosmetic removal by a dermatologist is possible, but home remedies, toothpaste and acids can scar the skin.
Bumps that need medical attention
- Infections spread by skin contact or sex: warts, herpes, molluscum, syphilis and scabies. These can be passed to partners, so get diagnosed before sex resumes.
- Inflammatory skin conditions: lichen planus, psoriasis, lichen sclerosus (white, shiny patches that can tighten the foreskin) and contact dermatitis from soaps, latex or lubricants.
- Penile cancer: rare, but a painless lump, sore, wart-like growth or color change on the head or foreskin that does not heal in 4 to 6 weeks should be checked.
The condition page on penile bumps explains each cause, how it is tested and how it is treated in more detail.
What a doctor will do
A primary care doctor, sexual health clinic or urologist will ask how long the bumps have been there, whether they hurt, itch or blister, about sexual partners and condom use, and about shaving and new products. Most diagnoses are made by looking. Tests may include a swab of a blister for herpes, a blood test for syphilis and HIV, and urine tests for chlamydia and gonorrhea. A small biopsy is used when the appearance is unusual or a sore will not heal.
Home care while you wait
- Keep the area clean with water and a mild, unscented cleanser, and dry gently.
- Wear loose cotton underwear.
- Avoid shaving the area until bumps from ingrown hairs settle.
- Avoid sex, including oral sex, until infectious causes are ruled out or treated.
- For itching, stop new soaps, lubricants or detergents.
- Do not use over-the-counter wart treatments made for hands and feet on genital skin. They can burn it.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a quick cure for bumps on the penis?
No single treatment works for all bumps, because the causes differ. Normal bumps need no treatment. Warts, herpes and molluscum need specific prescribed treatments. Popping, cutting or burning bumps at home risks infection and scarring. A quick visit to a clinic usually gives a diagnosis in one appointment.
Are white bumps on the penis normal?
Often, yes. Tiny white or yellow dots on the shaft are usually Fordyce spots, and rows of small white bumps around the head are usually pearly penile papules. Both are normal. White bumps with a central dimple are more likely molluscum, which is contagious.
Can you get bumps on the penis without having sex?
Yes. Pearly penile papules, Fordyce spots, ingrown hairs, folliculitis, cysts, eczema, psoriasis and lichen planus have nothing to do with sex. Molluscum can also spread through towels and skin contact. Warts, herpes and syphilis are almost always sexually transmitted.
Should I get an STI test for bumps on my penis?
If the bumps are new and you have had a new partner or unprotected sex, yes. Testing for syphilis, HIV, chlamydia and gonorrhea is quick, and herpes can be confirmed with a swab of a fresh blister. Early diagnosis protects partners and speeds treatment.
When should I worry about a bump on my penis?
See a doctor promptly for painful blisters or sores, a painless ulcer, bumps that spread or change, discharge, or anything that bleeds or does not heal within 4 to 6 weeks. Severe swelling, spreading redness or fever needs same-day care.
Sources
This guide was written from current patient and clinical guidance, including:
- American Academy of Dermatology: Genital warts; Molluscum contagiosum
- CDC: Sexually Transmitted Infections Treatment Guidelines
- NHS: Lumps and bumps on the penis
- MedlinePlus: Genital herpes; Genital warts
- American Urological Association: Urology Care Foundation, penile conditions