Step-By-Step Guide To Removing Pearly Penile Papules
Last updated: 2022-09-17
Pearly penile papules (PPP) are little stubbles of flesh that may grow on a penis’ corona. They often grow in one or two rows and may have a pearly white, pink, or yellow color. At most, they can grow as wide as two millimeters and as long as four millimeters.
Pearly penile papules don’t pose a health risk and don’t impact a person’s sex life. However, some find their appearance a cause of concern and would want to remove them. Most of them would ask, “Can you remove pearly penile papules at home?” Thankfully, the answer to that question is yes.
If you’re one of those people, you might want to read this short step-by-step guide on how to remove pearly penile papules at home fast.
Identify the bumps
The first step on how to remove pearly penile papules at home is to ensure that what you see are pearly penile papules. Most of the time, PPPs can be mistaken for genital warts resulting from a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by a variant of human papillomavirus (HPV). There are, after all, about 12 variants of HPVs that are high-risk.
One of the ways to differentiate PPPs from genital warts is to look closer. If the small growths look and feel like cauliflower, you may have genital warts. On the other hand, PPPs are often smooth and dome-like and can only be found on the penis’ corona. Genital warts, however, may grow on the scrotum, groin, anus, and penis.
Select your treatment option
Typically, doctors recommend that people need to see them if they want their PPPs removed. There are a handful of medical procedures that they can do to remove PPP. Some of them are CO2 laser, electrodesiccation, curettage, and cryotherapy.
Some people have experienced pain while doing these procedures, but if correctly done, a numbing cream is usually applied before treatment so no pain should be felt. Scarring, although rare, is still a considerable risk, as you usually need to sign a disclaimer before proceeding with the dermatologist treatment. Aside from that, these procedures may not be covered by your insurer as they are considered a cosmetic procedure. Other concerns you might face if you undergo these procedures are bleeding, recurrence of papules, skin pigment change, and infections.
Meanwhile, if you’re going to remove PPPs at home, you may want to acquire a PPP kit. These kits have an electrical ionizer with low discharge, set specifically to be safe for the removal or pearly penile papules. They provide similar results to laser and can help you get rid of the papules painlessly and fast. The kits comes with anesthetic cream. With this treatment, you may take up to 10 days to fully recover.
However, if you can’t acquire a PPP kit, you’ll be limited to applying any of the following ingredients to your penis:
Castor oil: This oil is used for acne, abrasions, sunburn, and other skin problems. It’s often in combination with other essential oils when treating PPPs.
Toothpaste: It’s a highly available treatment option, but it doesn’t work for everyone. The fluoride and other chemicals in the toothpaste can dry out the papules.
Tea tree oil: A multipurpose oil that has antifungal, antibacterial, and antiviral properties. It is sometimes used as a natural remedy to heal and treat burns and cuts.
Alpha hydroxy acid (AHA): This is often used to treat skin conditions such as acne, brown spots, and discoloration. It’s stronger than most items on this list, so it’s best to use it sparingly and in moderation.
Take note that there are no scientific studies behind the capability of these ingredients to treat PPP. Mostly, people with PPPs before have used them and reported that they’re not effective.
Thankfully, these ingredients aren’t exactly harmful when applied to your skin. However, know that they can still cause irritation and discomfort, especially because you’ll be applying them to your glans, which is particularly sensitive.
Applying the treatment of your choice
Whatever method you choose, it can take a lot of time before you see any visible effects.
If you’re going to use a PPP kit, you need to follow the instruction manual or video included in the kit. To give you a general overview of what you’ll do with it, here are the common steps you need to take when using a PPP kit:
Wash your penis and dry it with a clean towel
Apply the numbing cream that comes with the kit
Use the PPP ionizer to remove each papule exactly as instructed in the manual
Once done, wipe your penis with the alcohol pads
Follow the aftercare instructions described in the manual
On the other hand, if you’re going to use home remedies, remember to clean and dry your penis as well before applying anything on your papules. Take a small amount of the chemical you chose for the treatment to see if you’re allergic to the active ingredient.
If you’re not allergic or no adverse reactions happen, apply a coat of the chemical on your bumps and wait for your skin to absorb it. Do this every night, and wash off your penis after you wake up.
If you plan to use toothpaste, you may want to apply a generous coating on your penis and let the toothpaste dry overnight.
Conclusion
The first step on how to remove pearly penile papules at home is to ensure that what you see are pearly penile papules. Most of the time, PPPs can be mistaken for genital warts resulting from a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by a variant of human papillomavirus (HPV). There are, after all, about 12 variants of HPVs that are high-risk.
These are the steps you need to take if you want to treat your PPP at home. Remember, these methods can take a lot of time and consistency, unless you use a PPP kit. As always, consult your doctor before you start any treatment regimen for your papules.