A large number of conditions can give rise to an itchy, irritated penis. Many of these are conditions which affect the rest of the body. For example, if you usually suffer from a skin condition such as psoriasis or dermatitis or eczema, then there's a very good chance that at some point it will affect your penile skin as well (see the sections on these conditions for more information).

If you have any doubt about whether your condition might be sexually transmitted, then you should see a doctor and also persuade your partner to see one as well.

Genital skin is much more delicate than other skin so irritation resulting from soap products, etc. is probably more likely than in other areas.

Poor Hygiene

This is probably the commonest reason for penile itch. Uncircumcised penis's produce a white cheesy material - smegma - which if left under the foreskin will smell and cause itching and redness. Avoid it by at least once daily pulling back of the foreskin and washing underneath with soap and water.

If you're already troubled with this then it may get to be more sore when you wash it off. If this does happen try using a barrier cream - like aqueous cream or E45, which you can buy at the chemist, for a few days.
Thrush or Candidal Balanitis

This is the next commonest. Candida is a fungal inhabitant of the skin which occasionally causes an irritating, red rash - often with isolated "spots" of damage which can sometimes bleed. Again it produces an intense itch, especially when warm.

Some men get it especially after vaginal sex without condoms - probably due to the presence of thrush in their partners vagina, spread of which is assisted by the friction of intercourse.

Treatment is by keeping the area clean and dry - washing daily then effective towel drying. After that, applying a cream like clotrimazole 1% which you can buy in the chemist, twice a day for about a month (Yes! A month!) is effective.

Scabies

This is a general skin condition which produces an intense itch - especially when it is warm, for example after bathing or in bed at night.

It results from an infestation with the scabies mite which burrows in the superficial layers of the skin. It can affect any part of the body, including penis and vulval skin. The mite itself and also the scratching result in reddened irritated, often bleeding skin.

Diagnosis is usually by examination, although skin scrapings can be taken and sent to the laboratory for analysis.

Treatment is usually straight forward - applying a scabicide ( usually Derbac or Lyclear lotion or cream) to the skin. The scabicide has to be applied all over the body - except usually the face and head, remembering to push some cream or lotion under the finger and toe nails to kill any mites you may have collected by scratching. Follow the directions on the container to the letter to ensure destruction of the mite. Using an anti-histamine like piriton, zirtek or clarityn is usually helpful.

Pubic Lice

These are a very common cause of genital itch. They are very easily spread and can live on any hair - including moustache, beard and eyelashes. They look like tiny black freckles or scabs. Movement is very slow so its very unlikely you'll see any. You'll just feel the itch.

Again, treatment is much the same as for scabies - using a lotion like derbac which is available from most chemists. Once again, read the instructions on the bottle. Wash clothing and bedding at a hot temperature (+60 degrees Celsius). Treat again after an interval of about 7 days to destroy any lice emerging from eggs. Eggs themselves will remain but are not necessarily a sign of continuing infection.

If you are unlucky enough to get them in your eyelashes then just smear them with vaseline overnight to destry them