Health A-Z

Vitiligo On Penis: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment

Penile Vitiligo

Skin areas or patches affected by vitiligo on penis begin to lose their pigment. Your hair and skin are colored in part by melanin. When they lose melanin, they turn extremely pale.

Any area of your body, even your penis, can develop vitiligo. The back of your hand, neck, and your face are common places where it initially manifests. However, it’s difficult to foresee which bodily regions may eventually be impacted or how big the spots may end up being.

Continue reading to discover more about vitiligo, its causes, and potential remedies.

What Is Vitiligo On Penis?  

Vitiligo on the penis, like vitiligo elsewhere on the body, is a skin disorder characterized by the loss of pigment-producing melanocytes, leading to white patches on the skin. While vitiligo itself is not harmful or contagious, its impact on one’s appearance can cause emotional distress.

On the penis, vitiligo can manifest as depigmented areas, resulting in a contrast between pigmented and non-pigmented skin. The exact cause of vitiligo remains unclear, but it is thought to involve a combination of genetic, autoimmune, and environmental factors.

Managing vitiligo on the penis involves approaches similar to those for other affected areas. Topical corticosteroids, phototherapy, and, in some cases, surgical interventions may be considered. It’s crucial for individuals experiencing vitiligo on the penis to consult with a dermatologist for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment options.

Vitiligo On Penis Symptoms

Discoloration on penis is a major symptom of vitiligo on penis. The foreskin and white patches on shaft of the penis are more frequently affected than the glans or head.

If you don’t already, you can ultimately have symptoms in other areas of your body that affect your penis. Although vitiligo can appear at any age, it usually first appears before the age of 20.

Remember that vitiligo on penis has no impact on the function or health of your penis and is not infectious. Consult a urologist if you suffer any odd symptoms, including discomfort, urination problems, erectile dysfunction, or anything else. They most likely stem from another ailment.

Additionally, you could experience unconnected signs, like:

  • white or grey hair
  • the lining of your nose and mouth, which are mucous membranes, lose color
  • visual changes brought on by a loss of pigment in the inner lining of the eyeballs

Types Of Vitiligo On Penis

Various vitiligo on penis subtypes exists, depending on their severity.

Vitiligo has been divided into three categories based on the regions it has affected:

  • Localized Vitiligo: Skin patches that are only present in a few regions.
  • Generalized Vitiligo: The body is covered in skin patches.
  • Segmental Vitiligo: Only one part of the body has patches.

Causes Of Vitiligo On Penis

The reason why many people cease manufacturing melanin in particular locations is unknown to experts. However, some think it’s an autoimmune disorder.

When your immunity system unintentionally destroys healthy cells, autoimmune diseases develop. You may become susceptible to getting vitiligo if you already have an autoimmune disease like lupus or Hashimoto’s thyroiditis.

If there is a history of penis discoloration in your family, you can also be more prone to acquire it.

Diagnosis Of Vitiligo On Penis

Typically, a comprehensive physical examination is used to diagnose vitiligo. Your doctor might check your other body parts to see if it’s hurting your penis. To further aid in establishing if it is vitiligo, they could additionally put ultraviolet light over the affected region.

They could also extract a little piece of your penis foreskin to look at under the microscope, depending on your symptoms. It’s called a biopsy. It will aid them in ruling out other inflammatory skin disorders. Initially, it appears red in color, with an itching sore. However, the damaged skin may eventually turn white.

If other family members suffer from a discolored penis or an autoimmune disorder, be sure to let your doctor know.

Vitiligo On Penis Treatment

Vitiligo on penis can be treated by:

1. Medications

The appearance of vitiligo may be lessened with the use of topical lotions and ointments. These often include tacrolimus or pimecrolimus-containing anti-inflammatory corticosteroid lotions or ointments that influence your body’s immunological response.

If your doctor advises it, you should apply corticosteroid cream. Consequences from prolonged usage may include skin irritability and skin shrinkage.

Tacrolimus or Pimecrolimus-containing creams might be more efficient and have fewer negative effects. In two infants with genital vitiligo, this study demonstrated using pimecrolimus cream nearly entirely restored pigmentation.

2. Light Therapy

It could be helpful to use ultraviolet AB lights or excimer lights to aid in pigmenting the foreskin of the penis.

However, excessive UV exposure to genitalia may also be harmful and raise your chance of developing cancer, so be careful to deal with a physician who has a lot of expertise in providing this sort of care.

Light treatment could be beneficial in milder symptoms of vitiligo when paired with psoralen medicine. The substance psoralen aids in your body’s absorption of UV radiation.

3. Surgery

Circumcision could be beneficial for penile vitiligo patients. Additionally, surgeons might transplant a small portion of your skin belonging to another part of your body onto your penis. On the penis, however, this is challenging to do, especially if a significant region is involved.

 Is Vitiligo on Penis Contagious 

Vitiligo on the penis, like elsewhere on the body, is not contagious. It is not caused by a bacterial or viral infection. Vitiligo is an autoimmune condition where the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks its pigment-producing cells. Contact with affected skin, including on the penis, does not transmit the condition to others. Understanding this fact is crucial to dispel misconceptions and promote informed awareness about vitiligo.

 Stigma Around Vitiligo on Penis 

Stigma surrounding vitiligo on the penis often stems from societal misconceptions and beauty standards. Individuals with genital vitiligo may face anxiety, shame, or embarrassment due to societal perceptions of genital appearance.

  • Open dialogue, education, and promoting body positivity can help challenge these stigmas, fostering understanding and acceptance.
  • Support groups and mental health resources play a vital role in helping individuals cope with the emotional impact of vitiligo-related stigma.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions):

The answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about vitiligo on penis are:

Q1. Is Vitiligo A STD?

Ans: This is a typical vitiligo myth. It is not infectious and cannot be shared via contact, sharing of personal things, sharing of saliva, inhalation, blood, or sexual activity (like towels and drinking bottles)

Q2. Does Vitiligo Affect Sperm?

Ans: Patients with vitiligo experience harmful effects from a semen analysis. Genetic and non-genetic factors both contribute to the pathogenesis of the multifactorial illness known as vitiligo, which is defined by the loss of functioning melanocytes.

Conclusion

Although penile vitiligo is a minor illness, its look may make you feel uneasy. You both could reach a point when the occurrence of penile vitiligo no longer even registers.

Gaining confidence and peace of mind may be significantly aided by learning to accept how you are and all of its distinctive characteristics.
Vitiligo on penis is a benign medical ailment. You don’t absolutely need to get treated unless it causes you or your spouse discomfort during private times. Eat a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables, practice proper cleanliness, and often exercise to keep your body in top shape.

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Debamalya Mukherjee
Debamalya is a professional content writer from Kolkata, India. Constantly improving himself in this industry for more than three years, he has amassed immense knowledge regarding his niches of writing tech and gaming articles. He loves spending time with his cats, along with playing every new PC action game as soon as possible.

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