What to Do About Pimples On Your Balls
If pimples on your face aren't annoying enough, you can also get breakouts on your balls. Most of the time, a pimple on your balls is just like one on your face—hair follicles get clogged with oil and dead skin cells, and you get a little red bump. And that little red bump can send you frantically Googling to see if it's harmful or not, especially given the location.
In general, pimples on your scrotum are caused by the typical zit culprits including a change in diet, hormones, or stress levels. They show up on your stuff for the same reasons they show up anywhere else, such as diet, hormones or stress. A red bump on the skin of your balls is probably nothing to worry about—as long as you're certain it is, in fact, on the skin.
"Make 100 percent sure the spot is on the scrotum itself, and not in the testicle," says Jamin V. Brahmbhatt, M.D. "If it truly is in the skin, most pimples [or] bumps on the scrotal skin are benign." (If you realize the lump is actually in your testicle, you should make an appointment with your doctor.)
If you're sure the pimple is on your scrotum, what should you do about it?
Same thing as you do everywhere else—don't mess with it! It can be hard to resist the urge to pop a pimple, but Dr. Brahmbhatt says it's important not to. Don't poke or stab at them—that could make them "a bigger problem later," he says. If it's a regular pimple on your balls, it should disappear on its own in about a week.
Is there a point where you should see a doctor about a pimple on your balls?
You should pay a visit to your physician anytime you start to get worried, if the pimples keep coming back, or if you have pimples or spots that are in clusters, Dr. Brahmbhatt says. This could be a sign of a virus or a sexually transmitted infection. (If it turns out you have an STI, you and your partner should start treatment for it immediately.) You should be extra vigilant if you have diabetes, since your immune system can be less strong and infections can progress rapidly.
He also says that you should take extra precautions if you notice that the pimples are getting bigger and redder; they're likely to be painful and could even be associated with fevers.
What's the best way to prevent pimples on your balls?
"Keep your balls as clean as your face," Dr. Brahmbhatt says. "Wear clean underwear, shower regularly, and keep the area dry." If you tend to be a heavy sweater and have issues with odor, there’s nothing wrong with more than one shower a day.
Should you use those man-focused grooming products?
Trouble can brew in moist areas, which your balls often are. However, you don't need a fancy grooming product for that area. If you want to try them, anyway, "go for a powder over a cream," recommends Dr. Brahmbhatt. "Some men have tried cornstarch. If this works for you, great.”
What about man wipes, made specifically for this area? “If you use them, make sure you let the genitals dry before you put your underwear or pants back on. You could be using the wipes to help one problem, but then create another,” Dr. Brahmbhatt says, sealing in moisture and asking for trouble.
Is manscaping good or bad?
When it comes to pimples on your balls, manscaping can actually help prevent them. Grooming can reduce sweating and a trimmed lawn offers fewer opportunities for infected hair follicles.
How much does your underwear choice matter?
“It’s important to create an environment that lets your balls breathe,” he says. Super-tight underwear is like super-tight anything else—it reduces airflow and can leave you sweaty and warm. “If you like your balls super-snug, wear breathable, moisture-wicking underwear,” he says. “And wash them before you wear them the first time.”
In other words, treat your sack just like you would any other part of your skin, and you won't have to worry.
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