Health is wealth, and any deviation in the normal state can be very disturbing regardless of its severity. But while some health conditions are not quickly evident, others are quite noticeable and can cause panic. Skin conditions like pearly penile papules are almost always noticeable as soon as they appear, and they are not often very pleasant. This article will analyse how harmful pearly penile papules can be while highlighting possible solutions to this condition.
What Are Pearly Penile Papules?
Pearly penile papules (PPP), also known as hirsutoid papilloma, is a skin condition characterised by pinkish-white growths around the penis. This condition is found in males, affecting around 15 to 45% of this population. These bumps typically affect males between adolescence and early adulthood, and they do not affect children or older adults.
While these growths are sometimes mistaken for genital warts as they do not often exhibit symptoms of diseases, they are in fact quite different. However, it often raises concern among patients, and most fear that it is a sign of a sexually transmitted disease. Scientists and doctors have dismissed this notion by explaining that STDs do not trigger it. In fact, some researchers have suggested that the papules help to stimulate sexual pleasure.
Causes of Pearly Penile Papules
Pearly penile papules are a condition that often raises concerns among men. The fact that the growth can differ in size and volume for each person often begs the question, “what is the cause of pearly penile papules?” The exact source and trigger of these growths has not yet been identified, but doctors have advised that the condition is not as harmful as it looks. While it would be preferable if the primary cause of the condition was known, patients affected by PPP can at least rest easy knowing that it does not pose any immediate threat to their health.
What Are the Best Treatments for Pearly Penile Papules?
While it is true that PPP is not harmful to one’s health and no immediate treatment is required to have them removed, the condition can nonetheless cause some degree of distress. Skin doctors have come up with several means to eliminate pearly penile papules successfully without causing any harm to the penis or other parts of the body. These treatment methods include:
- Laser Treatments: laser treatments, especially carbon dioxide (CO2) laser surgery, have shown to be very effective in eliminating papules on the penis. The heat from the laser is used to melt off the growths in a safe manner, which has made this the most popular form of PPP treatment.
- Radiosurgery: with radiosurgery, targeted radiation is used to create free radicals that identify and attack the cells in the papules and eliminate them. The free radicals can affect healthy cells, so they are targeted and only carried out by professionals.
- Cryosurgery: cryosurgery is the direct opposite of laser treatment. It works by freezing the papules and making them disappear.
While these are the most commonly used clinical treatment methods for PPP, other methods can also be implemented to eliminate the growth.
Conclusion
While research has shown that pearly penile papules are harmless to one’s health, their appearance can be distressing and their presence can affect sexual relationships. Even if you aren’t concerned about the health implications of PPP, it is recommended to make an appointment with your doctor to ensure that your condition is in act PPP and not something else.