It’s the banana no man wants to see peeled. When skin is peeling on a man’s penis, it is a precarious situation. Oftentimes, a man won’t know his member is peeling until he feels it. Maybe it catches on the rough denim of his pants or during a clothing change. The penis could be red, angry, shiny, flaky, or anything in between as it voices its displeasure over some offending incident which has caused the problem. Thankfully, once it’s noticed, it can be remedied in a day or two in most cases. Here are few common reasons for peeling penile skin and how to fix them. 

Harsh Soaps – Simple but true, soaps and cleansers can cause a lot of trouble for delicate penile skin. This includes not only soaps for body washing but also laundry detergents as well. Avoid cleansers with harsh chemicals such as sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), BHAs, Triclosan and triclocarban, aminophenol, diaminobenzene, phenylenediamine, parabens, PEGs, and something called “fragrance.” Stick with gentle cleansers with natural ingredients whenever possible. If a man has recently changed a cleanser and noticed peeling skin, take a picture of the ingredients list, and then pitch the product. Cross reference that list with others to see what could be causing the irritation.

Allergic Reaction – Lots of people are allergic to latex condoms, lube, and other items that may find themselves on their private parts. As above, investigate and dispose. Wash the area with warm water and let air dry. Take some Benadryl if needed.

Friction from Tight Clothing or Chafing – Feeling a little too tight in the skinny jean? Avid runner? Anytime a man wears clothing too snug around his Johnson or subjects it to un-wicked sweat, skin peeling on the penis can happen. Loosen up, wear breathable undies, and use Body Glide when activity-induced chafing can occur.

Friction from Going Dry – Having dry sex or loving oneself without lube can result in chafing and friction burn leading to peeling penile skin. Whether it was an accidental run-out or an intentional experiment, that much movement without lubrication of some sort will cause problems down the line, not only with discomfort, but also by contributing to peripheral nerve damage. Find a good product and lube up before sexy time.

Yeast infection – Too much yeast and a man can end up with an itchy, flaky rash that produces skin peeling on the penis. He also might experience cottage-cheesy discharge, a fiery urination experience, and a funky odor emanating from down below. See a doctor for diagnosis and treatment asap.

Psoriasis – This non-contagious, autoimmune condition causes shiny, red patches on the head or shaft of the penis. While it usually has a scaly appearance on the body, on the penis, it looks more like raw, peeling skin. Seek medical care immediately. Usually, a prescription cream will help.

Eczema – Another non-contagious skin issue most people are familiar with, eczema produces a dry, scaly rash, and often with it, itching and irritation. In some cases, it also forms fluid-filled blisters which can ooze and then scab over, resulting in the appearance of peeling penile skin. See a doctor immediately.

Balanitis – This is when the head or the foreskin specifically swells and gets irritated, and eventually breaks into peeling skin. Men who are uncircumcised and/or have lacking hygiene are most often afflicted. Clean it thorough with a gentle cleanser and warm water. Rinse well and air dry. Repeat forever. If the infection doesn’t clear up within a week or the foreskin stops retracting, see a doctor.

Skin Peeling on the Penis: Treatment and Prevention

No matter what caused it, treat peeling penile skin with extreme caution and tenderness. Don’t scratch or use anything but gentle, natural products on the delicate penile skin. Keep the entire genital area clean and dry and in loose clothing to promote air-flow.

In addition to keeping the penis clean and dry, use a natural, specially formulated penis health creme (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which has been clinically proven safe and mild for skin). These special crèmes are rooted in soothing, natural moisturizers like Shea butter and vitamin E to hydrate and seal in moisture. Use a crème with vitamins like A, B5, C, and D3 to provide important nutrients to defend again skin irritants and encourage elasticity and healthy cellular function.