Just as a male peacock shows off his gorgeous plumage to attract a mate, so too did men like to exhibit a good-looking penis for partners and prospective partners.  Practicing good penis health enables a man to keep his equipment looking attractive and appealing. Sometimes, of course, even when paying proper attention, a guy develops something like dry penis skin or a penis rash which mars his otherwise fine looking specimen of manhood. Knowing possible causes of penis blemishes and how to treat them helps a man be prepared. Therefore, the more information a man has, the better off he is – which is why it’s helpful for a man to know that sometimes exposure to spermicide may account for a penis rash.

What does spermicide do?

Just as a pesticide rids attacks and kills pests that can damage a plant, so does spermicide attack and destroy sperm. Now, men are justifiably fond of their sperm, but when engaging in sex for purely recreational purposes and without the intention of siring a child, they do like to take steps to ensure that pregnancy doesn’t occur. Incorporating spermicide with other forms of birth control, including condoms, is adding an extra layer of pregnancy protection.

Often the spermicide may be a foam, gel or cream that is used typically by the female partner. Many condoms come lubricated with a spermicide.  The most common spermicide is called nonoxynol-9 (or N-9), which attacks sperm membranes and basically immobilizes them.

There is some debate as to whether adding a spermicide to a condom increases pregnancy-prevention. Some doctors believe it provides a “back-up,” so that if the condom leaks or breaks, and sperm gets out, the spermicide can then “finish off” the sperm. Others believe that there is a lack of scientific evidence to back this up.

One negative is that the presence of a spermicide on a condom shortens the condom’s shelf life. It’s also important to realize that spermicide does not provide any protection against sexually-transmitted infections.

Penis rash

And, of course, there are some people who are allergic to nonoxyonol-9 and other spermicides. If a guy wears a spermicide-coated condom, he may later develop a penis rash which can range from light and largely invisible to nasty and incredibly itchy. Most of the time, the penis rash is red or pink lesions, but in rare cases the lesions may become blisters, which can be quite painful and can limit one’s sexual activity significantly. In extremely rare cases, a dangerous reaction involving chest tightness and wheezing can occur, which would require emergency treatment.

Discontinuing use of spermicide is the first step in treating it. Washing the area with a gentle cleanser can help, to remove all lingering traces of the spermicide. Sometimes an antihistamine can help if the itching is unbearable. The penis skin will need to be kept well hydrated, especially as it heals from the effects of the spermicide. If the penis rash is severe or painful, consulting a dermatologist is advised.

When spermicide from a condom brings about a penis rash, it can help to have on hand a first class penis health crème (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven mild and safe for skin). It’s even better if a man has been using that crème consistently, as the better the general penis health, the more likely it is that the penis rash will respond to moisturization quickly. The best crème will have a combination of moisturizers, such as a high end emollient (shea butter is excellent) and a natural hydrator (like vitamin E). In addition,  a creme with a potent antioxidant like alpha lipoic acid will provide delicate penis skin with a layer of protection against excess free radicals and the oxidative stress they cause which can delay restoration of healthy penis skin.