Cut on Penis: Causes and Treatment Options

Published on March 14, 2023 .

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injury protecting wrapping and wound dressing — Image by Victor Moussa via Shutterstock

If you develop a cut on the penis, oftentimes you can treat it on your own at home. With the aid of some general hygiene methods and a topical ointment, the cut will most likely heal naturally without needing to see a doctor. However, if you experience prolonged pain or discomfort, or notice the area surrounding the cut has worsened, further treatment may be necessary.

You can treat a cut on your penis at home with over-the-counter ointment or creams.
Most wounds or injuries of the penis come from having sex or playing sports.
Cuts on your penis may be due to: friction, a yeast infection, or an STD.
Consult your doctor if the cut does not heal after 7 days, or if you continue to experience pain, itchiness, or burning.

A cut on my penis – should I be worried?

You can develop a cut anywhere on your penis shaft, tip, or foreskin (if you are uncircumcised). Wearing ill-fitted clothes and underwear can result in irritation to the skin. Avoid clothes that are too tight or too loose. Instead, choose clothes that are breathable and made of cotton.

Having rough sex and doing other physical activities may also result in a cut on the penis. Although it may be worrisome, a small cut on the penis is likely to heal naturally and quickly. If a cut worsens or develops into a larger lesion, then it is best to consult your doctor for further treatment.

Symptoms of a penis injury

Most common penis injuries occur during sex. A bruised penis, as well as burns across the skin, can develop due to friction along the penis shaft. Too much friction has the potential of creating a penis abrasion and further penis injury. A frenulum tear (near the piece of skin near the tip of the penis) may occur, sometimes after having sex for the first time. This can lead to other wounds in the penis skin. Particularly in the area around the foreskin to the head of the penis.

Another common way of injuring your penis is while playing sports. Activities such as riding a bicycle or playing soccer can lead to a bruised penis. Wearing protective gear while playing sports, even when playing casually, can prevent injuries.

What are the causes of cuts on the penis?

A cut on the penis can occur under a variety of circumstances. Some may result in serious penis injury.

Friction injuries

When having rough sex or masturbating, a cut on the penis shaft can develop due to a friction burn on the shaft. These burns can end up tearing the skin. If you develop a penis abrasion, the skin can tear and this can create a cut on the tip of penis, shaft, and surrounding genital area.

Yeast infection

Yeast infections occur when a fungus (known as candida) grows and thrives on moist skin. This includes the area around the head of the penis. Uncircumcised men and boys with foreskin should pay close attention to this area. As a result of a yeast infection, you may notice redness and itching, white discharge, and blisters on your skin. Practicing good hygiene can help prevent a yeast infection.

STDs

Practicing safe sex can help maintain a generally clean bill of health and lifestyle. If you or your partner has contracted a sexually transmitted disease (STD), this can cause pain and irritation to your penis and genitals. Sexually transmitted diseases can also increase the development of blisters and sores on the penis.

Balanitis

Balanitis occurs when there is a yeast infection around the head of the penis. This can cause pain, swelling, and irritation. Although it is not contagious, balanitis can be a result of a virus or a bacterial infection contracted from a cut on the penis head. Balanitis is more likely to affect uncircumcised men and boys. 10% of the male population will experience balanitis in their lifetime.

Treating a cut on the penis

You can treat most cuts on the tip of penis, shaft, or other areas at home. Usually, a small cut does not require seeing a doctor. General first-aid care can be administered.

Wash and clean the area around the cut with soap and water. Avoid getting soap in the cut.
Apply ointment around the cut.
Bandage or dress a gauze over the cut to protect it from bacteria and further irritation.
Be sure to clean and redress the bandaged area once a day.

Take over-the-counter medication to help alleviate the pain. In rare cases, surgery may be needed at the recommendation of your doctor.

How to heal foreskin cuts

It's important for uncircumcised men and boys to keep up with a good hygiene schedule. Because of the foreskin, the area around the head of the penis is more susceptible to developing a yeast infection. Keep your penis and genitals clean and dry to prevent an infection. In order to heal cuts on foreskin or a foreskin tear or cut fast and naturally, clean them as you would any other cut. You may also apply antifungal lotion or ointment to this area to further treat the wound, such as miconazole and nystatin.

How to heal cuts on other penis parts

If you experience cuts on other parts of your penis, treat the affected area with basic first-aid care. It’s also important to decrease any strenuous activity, such as playing sports or having sex. Until your cut or other injuries have healed themselves, do not continue to perform physical activities. This can lead to a prolonged healing process and further damage your skin.

How to prevent penis cuts

Good hygiene is key to preventing cuts on the penis and suffering other trauma or injuries to your penis.

Wash and clean your penis and genital area daily. Remove bacteria and other build-up from collecting in the area. Men and boys with foreskin should be extra attentive to keeping this area clean and dry.
Avoid dry skin. After bathing, keep your skin moisturized with soothing lotion or oils. This will help prevent your skin from cracking open or tearing, which can lead to cuts.
Wear comfortable and breathable underwear. Cotton underwear allows air to flow through its material, preventing moisture build-up.

Be careful during everyday activities as well. Wear protective gear while playing sports and use caution when using firearms and machinery. Consider wearing a different size condom during sex if it is too tight.

When you should see a doctor

Over-the-counter ointments can often help cuts on your penis heal on their own. If a penis injury or a cut does not heal or worsens after 7 days, it is best to consult a doctor for further diagnosis and treatment. Pay close attention to the color, tenderness, pain, and discharge of your penis injury. This can include any itching or burning sensation when urinating, as well as bleeding. In most cases, your doctor will be able to prescribe you medication, either applied topically or orally.

FAQ

What happens if you cut off your frenulum?

The frenulum is a piece of skin on the underside of your penis, connecting your foreskin to the shaft of your penis. A frenulum tear or cut of your frenulum typically happens during sex, often when having sex for the first time. These cuts or tears tend to heal on their own. Consider using a lubricant when having sex to keep from tearing the skin again.

How do you heal split skin on the foreskin?

Split or cracked skin can lead to a foreskin tear or cuts on the foreskin, often due to dry skin. It is easily treated with over-the-counter ointments and changing your habits. Consider using a moisturizer after bathing. Choose breathable material, such as cotton, for underwear and pants. Also, use lubricants during sex to avoid friction burns along your penis.

What causes friction burns on the shaft?

Friction burns on the shaft of your penis are most likely brought on by experiencing friction between the penis and the condom while having sex. This friction can lead to irritation, swelling, and penis abrasions or cuts. To prevent excess friction, use lubricant while having sex. If friction burns continue to occur, consider changing the size of your condom if it is too tight.