Penis Ulcers Might Signal Behcet’s Disease

Penis ulcers – sores that can pop up on the penis – are both painful and unsightly. And understandably, they often cause a man to panic. The presence of penis ulcers may denote a serious penis health (http://www.menshealthfirst.com) issue, such as an STI, but they can be caused by other things as well, such as Behcet’s disease.

About penis ulcers

Ulcers are more often associated with body parts other than the penis. For example, many people are familiar with the mouth ulcers that accompany many colds and viruses, and stomach ulcers are often the subject of considerable discussion.

But penis ulcers do exist and are classified as a dermatological issue. These open sores cause concern, as they tend to be associated with the presence of an STI, such as syphilis or herpes. But they can also be caused by other things, such as tuberculosis or a reaction to some antibiotic treatments.

About Behcet’s disease

A condition known as Behcet’s disease may also bring about penis ulcers. Behcet’s disease (sometimes called Behcet’s syndrome) is named after a Turkish doctor who first detailed it back in 1937.

Behcet’s disease is classified as an autoimmune disorder, meaning that the body’s immune system mistakenly perceives something in the body itself to be an “enemy” and attacks it. In the case of Behcet’s syndrome, the result is an inflammation of the blood vessels, which over time can damage them.

Behcet’s disease is accompanied by numerous symptoms, including ulcers that may appear in the mouth or on the genitals. Other symptoms include eye irritation, skin lesions, joint pain, headaches, loss of appetite, lethargy, fever and digestion issues.

Cause

There is still a great deal science doesn’t know about Behcet’s disease. It is fairly rare, affecting about 20,000 people in the United States, and so little is known about what causes it. There are several theories, including:

•	Genes. Many doctors believe there is a genetic component for the condition which may make some people more likely to contract it than others.

•	Virus or bacteria. There is also some evidence that suggests a virus or certain bacteria can trigger Behcet’s in an individual.

•	Environmental. The area in which a person resides and its specific environmental characteristics may include triggers – but just what those may be have not yet been positively identified.

Fortunately, Behcet’s is not contagious, so it is not passed by direct contact between people. However, men who develop penis ulcers due to Behcet’s are likely to want to avoid sex during the period in which they are present (typically 1-3 weeks), for a couple of reasons. The ulcers are likely to remind partners of an STI, so their presence may affect a mate’s comfort level where sex is concerned. Perhaps more importantly, the penis ulcers are typically accompanied by a fairly significant degree of pain – and the friction associated with sex is likely to irritate them even further.

Treatment

There is no cure for Behcet’s, which is chronic and tends to “come and go,” so treatment involves alleviating symptoms. Corticosteroids, anti-inflammatory drugs, and immunosuppressants may be used.

Once the penis ulcers from Behcet’s disease have healed and are no longer open sores, a man needs to strengthen the health of his penis by applying a first class penis health crème (http://www.man1health.com/Order.php health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven mild and safe for skin).  Make sure the crème includes vitamin A, well-known for its anti-bacterial properties. Ulcers often add to an already-existing penis odor issue, and vitamin A is uniquely qualified to help stem that odor emergency. Scarring may result from ulcers, so a crème that can rehydrate the skin through high-end emollients like Shea butter and natural moisturizers like vitamin E is needed.

Visit http://www.menshealthfirst.com for additional information on most common penis health issues, tips on improving penis sensitivity and what to do to maintain a healthy penis. John Dugan is a professional writer who specializes in men's health issues and is an ongoing contributing writer to numerous websites.