White dots on the foreskin

White dots on the foreskin may be ectopic sebaceous glands or pearly penile papules and usually do not require special treatment. If it is accompanied by symptoms such as itching, redness and swelling, fungal infection or inflammation should be considered.

Sebaceous heterotopia manifests as white or light yellow papules the size of pinheads, mostly distributed on the inside of the foreskin or the coronal sulcus. It is an abnormal development of sebaceous glands and is related to hormone levels. Pearly penile papules are small translucent pearl-like particles arranged in rows surrounding the coronal sulcus. They are benign hyperplasia and do not affect health. These two conditions are not contagious, just pay attention to daily cleaning.

If the white spots are accompanied by local redness, swelling, scaling or itching, it may be related to Candida albicans infection, which is common in those with excessive foreskin or poor hygiene. Bacterial balanitis may also cause white discharge, mostly caused by Staphylococcus aureus, etc. In rare cases, genital warts may appear as small white bumps in the early stage, but they will gradually enlarge to form cauliflower-like growths.

It is recommended to wash the foreskin and glans with warm water every day and avoid using irritating lotions. Choose breathable cotton underwear to keep the area dry. If symptoms continue to worsen or ulcers or exudate occur, you should promptly go to a dermatology or urology department to determine the cause through secretion examination. Do not squeeze or use folk remedies to avoid secondary infection.