What diseases cause blisters on the glans?

The glans is an important organ of men, and many men have experienced blisters on the glans. Never underestimate these blisters, because blisters on the glans may be caused by other diseases, such as balanitis, genital herpes, penile pearly rash, etc. These diseases need to be treated promptly, otherwise they will worsen and continue to affect men's reproductive health. Below we will give you a detailed introduction to several causes of blisters on the glans.

1. Balanitis

Balanitis refers to inflammation of the inner lining of the foreskin and the glans penis. A lipid substance secreted in the normal foreskin cavity. When the foreskin is too long or phimosis occurs, this substance can accumulate into smegma, which can irritate the foreskin and glans penis and cause balanitis. This disease can also be caused by bacterial, fungal infection or drug allergy.

Candidal balanitis: It is more common in cases of excessive foreskin and a history of unclean sexual intercourse. The foreskin and glans of the penis are mildly flushed, and there may be white cheese-like secretions on the inner plate of the foreskin and the coronal sulcus of the glans. There may be needle-sized light red papules on the glans. If the outside of the foreskin and the scrotum are invaded, scaly erythema may be seen. If the navicular fossa is involved, symptoms such as frequent urination and painful urination may occur. There may be local burning sensation and itching. Occasionally, fulminant edematous balanitis may occur, with the main manifestations being obvious edema of the foreskin of the penis, severe itching, and shallow ulcers.

2. Genital herpes

Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted disease caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV), mainly HSV-2 and a few HSV-1. It is one of the common sexually transmitted diseases. Genital herpes can recur, causing significant health and psychological impacts on patients; it can also infect newborns through the placenta and birth canal, leading to congenital infection in newborns. Therefore, this disease is also one of the more serious public health problems, and attention should be paid to its effective prevention and treatment.

HSV-2 is the main pathogen of genital herpes (90%), which causes primary genital herpes after infection. After the initial genital herpes subsides, the remaining virus is transferred along the neural axis through the peripheral nerves to the sacral ganglia and remains latent for a long time. When the body's resistance is reduced or certain stimulating factors such as fever, cold, infection, menstruation, gastrointestinal dysfunction, trauma, etc. occur, the latent virus can be activated and the virus descends to the surface of the skin and mucous membranes to cause lesions and lead to recurrence. Humans are the only host of the herpes virus. The virus cannot survive outside the human body. Ultraviolet rays, ether and general disinfectants can inactivate it.

3. Penile Pearly Rash

Pearly rash, also known as penile pearly papules, coronal sulcus or glans papules, is also called hairy penis or multi-papillary penis by some scholars. Currently, most scholars believe that this is a normal physiological variation, so it will not affect health and will not be transmitted or spread through sexual intercourse.

The cause and incidence of pearly penile papules are still unclear. Some scholars believe that this disease is an abnormality of physiological development. Some scholars also believe that it is related to the foreskin being too long. The survey found that the incidence of penile pearly papules in young men with foreskin being too long is significantly higher than that in those with normal foreskin. Some scholars also believe that the disease may be related to HPV infection, but Ferenczy et al. and Zhang Kaijin et al. detected HPV in the lesion tissue and found no HPV. The author observed that the patient's foreskin was too long, the local hygiene was poor, the long-term stimulation of the coronal sulcus secretions and dirt, or other factors such as infection caused local redness and swelling and other inflammatory reactions may be the direct cause of this disease. If the patient needs treatment, it can be treated through laser surgery, cryotherapy, and drug therapy.