Penile skin diseases

Summary. Many dermatoses become manifest in the genital region. Some of them are specific for this anatomical site; other lesions of the penis are associated with systemic dermatological diseases. Medical history, clinical inspection of the whole integument and optional microbiological or histological examination of the lesions will lead to a correct diagnosis. Dermatoses of the penis (glans penis and/or prepuce) may be symptoms of general diseases or specific alterations of the genital region. The differential diagnoses of penile dermatoses include infections, balanitides, neoplastic diseases, trauma, papulosqamous or systemic diseases, fixed drug reactions, allergic or irritant contact dermatitis and miscellaneous lesions. Since andrologists pay special attention to the inspection and palpation of the male genital region, they should possess knowledge of dermatologically relevant penile lesions.