How to treat a friction burn on penis

You generally don’t want to hear the words “burn” and “penis” in the same sentence. There’s no denying a friction burn on the penis is uncomfortable, but the good news is this condition almost always quickly resolves, and it usually doesn’t require complex medical intervention. 

If you’re wondering how to identify and treat a friction burn on the penis, we’ve got answers. 

“A friction burn on the penis is a superficial skin injury caused by repetitive rubbing that overwhelms the natural lubrication and protective barrier of the penile skin,” explains board-certified urologist Justin Houman, MD, of Tower Urology at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. It’s possible to get a friction burn on the penis shaft or on the head of the penis, though a friction burn on the penis head is less common. 

Dr. Houman says that symptoms of a friction burn on the penis shaft can include:

• Burning

• Redness 

• Irritation

• Rawness 

• Sensitivity 

• Small cracks in the skin

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Friction burns on the penis generally come down to inadequate lubrication combined with repetitive motion, Dr. Houman says — think masturbating or having a marathon sex session without a bottle of lube handy. The most common triggers he sees are: 

Masturbation without enough lubrication 

“Dry masturbation or aggressive stroking is the number one cause,” Dr. Houman says. An overly aggressive stroke can also lead to death grip syndrome, which is when your penis becomes less sensitive as a result of frequent masturbation with an overly firm grip. 

Prolonged or high friction sexual activity

Examples of this might be having sex with condoms that don’t have added lubricant, or having longer sessions that create enough friction to break down the skin, according to Dr. Houman. Anal sex can also cause friction burns on the penis if you’re not using enough lube. 

Tight foreskin

Dr. Houman says that phimosis or partial phimosis — the medical term for tight foreskin — can contribute to friction burns on the penis. “When the foreskin does not glide easily, friction increases,” he says. 

Sexual devices or toys

Sex toys like penis sleeves, cock rings, or vibrators are a great way to turn things up a notch, but they can also irritate the skin if you’re using them without enough lubricant, Dr. Houman says. 

Hair-bearing skin contact

If your penis is coming in contact with a partner’s pubic hair, beard, or other stubble, it can contribute to micro-abrasions on the penis, Dr. Houman explains. 

The good news is that “most friction burns heal quickly with simple care,” according to Dr. Houman. A friction burn on the penis can be treated by taking a break from sexual activity and in some cases, using a topical product to aid the skin in healing. Dr. Houman recommends the following to treat a friction burn on the penis: 

1) Stop sexual activity (including masturbating) temporarily. “Let the skin recover. Continuing to rub irritated tissue almost always makes it worse,” he says. 

2) Be gentle when cleaning your penis. When you’re showering or bathing, avoid using harsh soaps, scrubs, or anything scented on your penis. Just use warm water. 

3) Moisturize and protect the skin. Dr. Houman suggests using a petrolatum or petroleum jelly like Vaseline or Aquaphor on your friction burn to help the skin heal. Make sure you’re using a plain, hypoallergenic barrier ointment. Avoid scented lotions or oils because they could cause further irritation.

4) Avoid picking at or scrubbing the area. Just like you shouldn’t pick at a scab or at your acne, it’s important to avoid picking at your friction burn as it heals. Dr. Houman says this can delay healing. 

5) Use a mild topical steroid if it’s inflamed. In some cases, a short course of a mild topical steroid like 1% hydrocortisone can help your friction burn heal. But Dr. Houman says you should only do this “if you are certain it is not an infection,” so you should rule out infection with a healthcare provider before trying this. 

6) Use a topical antibiotic. “If there is broken skin or a higher risk for infection, a thin layer of topical antibiotic such as mupirocin may be used for a few days,” Dr. Houman says. You’ll also want to clear this with a healthcare provider before trying this option. 

Dr. Houman says most friction burns on the penis improve significantly in 48 to 72 hours, and fully resolve within a week. According to the Burn and Reconstructive Centers of America, the healing process for minor friction burns usually goes like this: 

• The burn looks red and swollen. 

• The swelling starts to go down, and the wound starts to dry out and form a scab. 

• The scab gets itchy and starts to peel. 

• The scab eventually peels off, revealing healed skin beneath. 

If you notice that your friction burn is changing colors, becoming more painful, or something else seems unusual about it — like it’s oozing liquid or emitting a bad odor — it’s important to seek medical care, as the wound might be infected. Keep the area clean and dry as much as possible to prevent infections from happening. 

Preventing a friction burn on your penis is pretty straightforward, according to Dr. Houman. Some techniques include using lubrication when you’re masturbating or having sex, and being conscious about things like your grip, skin conditions, and anatomy. 

• Use adequate lubrication. “This is the most important factor,” Dr. Houman says. “Water-based or silicone-based lubricants reduce friction dramatically.” If friction burns are an issue for you, you should use lube when you’re masturbating or having sex, especially if you’re using  condoms during sex, as latex can create friction. (Avoid oil-based lube, though, if you’re using latex condoms, as it can increase the risk of the condom tearing).

• Take breaks during long sessions. As fun as it is to spend hours having sex or masturbating, it’s important to build in a breather here and there. “Allowing the skin to rest keeps micro-irritation from becoming an actual burn,” Dr. Houman says.  

• Avoid overly tight grips during masturbation. “A very tight grip is a common cause of friction injuries,” Dr. Houman says. In addition to making your penis less sensitive over time (a.k.a. death grip syndrome) and potentially causing friction burns, one medical study from 2015 has shown that regular vigorous masturbation can lead to decreased penile sensitivity, which can cause an inability to orgasm or delayed orgasm over time. So seriously, loosen up! 

• Address dryness or eczema. Dr. Houman notes that some men have naturally dry penile skin or mild dermatitis on the penis that makes them more prone to irritation. If you have a rash on your penis, it could be eczema, psoriasis, or another skin condition that could make you more likely to get friction burns. If irritation or dryness is a regular issue for you, it may be helpful to get the underlying skin issue checked and managed, since untreated skin conditions could make friction burns more likely to happen again. Taking care of ongoing skin issues can help keep the area healthier and more comfortable overall.

• Manage foreskin issues. “If there is tightness or pain with retraction [of the foreskin], stretching exercises or topical steroids can decrease friction,” Dr. Houman says. Speak with your healthcare provider if you are experiencing issues with your foreskin.

A sexually transmitted infection (STI) and a penis friction burn can look somewhat similar: redness, swelling, and irritated skin. But there are some key differences, according to Dr. Houman. 

An STI is more likely if you’re seeing things like: 

• Fluid-filled blisters

• Open or painful ulcers

• Pus or abnormal discharge from the urethra

• A firm, painless sore

• A rash on other parts of the body

• Swollen lymph nodes (especially in the groin)

• Symptoms that worsen rather than improve after two to three days

• Painful urination even when the skin itself looks normal

A friction burn, on the other hand, is more likely to present with symptoms like:

• Redness or raw skin limited to areas that experienced direct rubbing

• Mild, localized swelling

• Surface-level skin  irritation that improves within a few days

• Pain or burning that occurs mainly with touch, friction, or sexual activity (as opposed to symptoms that occur even when there is no contact with the penis) 

If you’re in pain because of a burning sensation on your penis, it’s generally a good idea to consult a healthcare provider to rule out conditions like a yeast infection, a sexually transmitted infection  (such as chlamydia), or balanitis — an infection on your penis that can cause itchiness, redness, and swelling.

You’ll want to see a healthcare provider if you have: 

• Pus or discharge from the urethra or from the affected skin

• Painful urination 

• A rash, sores, or lesions on other parts of the body

• Symptoms that don’t improve or that worsen after a few days

These would be unusual symptoms for a typical friction burn, so you’ll want to get checked out to determine what’s going on. 

That being said, as Dr. Houman noted above, most friction burns on the penis improve significantly within a few days as long as you’re gentle with the area. So if you notice your symptoms are resolving — meaning there’s less swelling and redness, and any broken skin is starting to heal itself — it was likely just a friction burn. Uncomfortable, yes, but usually temporary and easy to treat.

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A friction burn on the penis can be painful, but the good news is, in most cases, it doesn’t require serious medical attention. 

• A friction burn on the penis usually happens from being overly vigorous or not using enough lubrication. Symptoms of penis friction burn generally include redness, irritation, rawness, and small cracks in the skin. 

• Treatment for a friction burn on the penis shaft or head is simple in most cases. You’ll want to stop sexual activity, moisturize and protect the skin, and consider a mild topical steroid or antibiotic only if recommended by your healthcare provider. 

• If you’re worried it might be an STI and not a friction burn, look for symptoms like painful urination, pus or abnormal discharge, and symptoms that worsen after a few days. These typically wouldn’t be associated with a friction burn, and could indicate there’s something else going on.