I've had these little white bumps (that almost look like pimples) on my penis for a while now. I noticed them around 1998 a while before losing my virginity so I don't think they're from an STD. There's two at the base of the head of my penis near where the skin attaches, and there's several tiny ones that cover part of the rim part of the head (I don't know if the terminology is right). I've never tried popping them because I'm worried I'll make things worse. They look identical to how they did the first time I noticed, and there hasn't been any new ones or old ones disappear. Does anyone know what they are, and how to get rid of them?Thanks.
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Problem with white bumps
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It's me again. I did see the post titled "Zits?" and what I have doesn't look like sebaceous glands shown at http://www.afraidtoask.com/forums/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=UBB2&Number=80964&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=&fpart=1 . Mine are smaller, stick out a bit more, and are whiter.
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What about Pearly Penile Papules, pictured in the same thread?
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The small ones look like pearly penile papules, but I'm not sure about the two larger ones at the base of the head near (not on) the skin. Also, if they were pearly penile papules how would I get rid of them? I'm hoping it would be as easy as simply popping them, but I don't want to risk it. Also, the small ones that look like penile papules don't look poppable, but the two larger ones definitely do look poppable. I don't mind the small ones, but I don't like the two larger ones even though they're hard to see unless you're up close and personal. I've never had a girl mention them, but still I'd like to get rid of them.
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If the 2 bumps you are referring to are located on either side of the frenulum where the forskin head and fenulum meet, they are called Tyson's glands. Again normal and nothing to worry about.
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Very interesting about Tyson's glands. A quick search reveals there is dispute about them. They are said to become active at puberty and secrete smegma, but http://www.cirp.org/library/anatomy/prakash/ claims they do not, and the paper referenced in http://www.blackwell-synergy.com/links/doi/10.1046/j.1440-0960.1999.00317.x/abs/ claims, apparently, that they exist but are not glands, being rather lesions like PPP.
Frogger, you might find http://www.emedicine.com/derm/topic313.htm on pearly penile papules helpful.
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Yes, they probably serve no function (as glands), however they are more distinct than PPP meaning that they are not widespread and are in a specific location.another reference:3. OTHER GENITAL CONDITIONS Patients who are worried about the possibility of venereal diseases may inspect the genitalia frequently. They may notice for the first time in their life certain conditions of no clinical significance and for which require only reassurance. 1) Penile pearls (syn. pearly penile papules, papillae of the coronal sulcus or glans penis, hirsuties papillaris penis, coronal papilla) These congenital tiny swellings look like early genital warts but are arranged in rows regularly around the coronal sulcus or scattered over the glans penis. They are merely hypertrophic papillae with normal epidermal covering. They have no clinical significance and it is important not to misdiagnose them as genital warts. 2) Tysons glands These are secretory glands which are symmetrically located on either side of the frenulum. They appear as small para-frenal papules which can easily be mistaken by anxious patients as genital warts. 3) Fordyce Spots This condition arises from the presence of ectopic sebaceous glands. It may be found under the prepuce and on the vulva. The lesion appear as multiple small, white or yellow spots in submucosa. 4) Lymphocele (syn. sclerosing lymphangitis, benign transient lymphangiectasis) In this condition the lymphatics in or near the coronal sulcus may become temporarily blocked and appear as worm-liked translucent masses of cartilage-like hardness. Some cases may follow prolonged or frequent intercourse or are associated with a genital lesion. However in the largest series reported, the majority were unexplained although the patients had coitus. The condition resolves within a few weeks and no treatment is necessary