Summer means the opportunity to spend a great deal of time in the water. Men put on swimsuits to spend time jumping on the waves in the ocean, swimming in the pool, or just relaxing their tired muscles in the hot tub. Unfortunately, each of these swimwear options comes with the possibility of developing penis rashes as a result. With that in mind, here’s some info on swimsuit-related penis rash and how to keep your penis healthy while splashing around this summer.<\/p>\n
Salt water issues <\/strong><\/p>\n There are many rash problems that may arise from immersing a man in salt water. One of the most obvious of these symptoms is a simple dry skin rash that can develop from too much salt getting into the skin of the penis. Salt can quickly dry out the skin, resulting in a flaky, scaly rash that requires rehydration.<\/p>\n But men should also be on the lookout for something called sea bathers erupting after a dip in salt water. This is something that actually only happens on the area of \u200b\u200bthe body that is covered by clothing\u2014and so it’s especially likely to become a penis rash problem (unless, of course, it’s a guy swimming on a nude beach).<\/p>\n A sea bather’s eruption is a tingling, itchy rash that is sometimes accompanied by fever, nausea, or fatigue. It is caused by tiny jellyfish larvae that get trapped in a swimsuit (or a T-shirt, if a man is swimming in a T-shirt). They are almost invisible to the naked eye, so most people don’t see them. But it does cause small stings that eventually develop into bumps that look like a rash. They can occur not only on the penis, but also on any area covered by a swimsuit (balls, butt, thighs, etc.).<\/p>\n The rash tends to be worse the longer the affected swimsuit is worn; Fresh water showers make it worse, as does towel drying. Using diluted vinegar or rubbing alcohol, such as an ice pack, can help. For long-term rashes, hydrocortisone lotion is usually effective. But a man should see a doctor if the rash lasts more than a week or if it is painful.<\/p>\n Swimming pool <\/strong><\/p>\n Perhaps the biggest problems with the pool are chlorine. Bleach can also strip away a lot of the oils that keep the skin moisturized, resulting in a dry rash. But some people also have an allergy to chlorine which can lead to a more widespread rash on the penis, often appearing as red spots. Rehydration is suggested for both issues.<\/p>\n Hot tub<\/strong><\/p>\n Hot tub rash occurs when the hot tub is not kept properly clean, which causes certain bacteria – pseudomonas aeruginosa – to enter the body. The rash on the penis appears as itchy bumps, occurring frequently all over the skin but generally worse on areas covered by a swimsuit. There are often pus-filled blisters that form around the hair follicles. Hot tub owners should make sure to check and adjust chlorine and pH levels at least twice a week.<\/p>\n Most hot tub rashes clear up on their own within a few days.<\/p>\n