- What are pearly papules?
- Prognosis of the disease
- Symptoms of pearly papules
- Diagnosis of pearly papules
- What are the causes of pearly papules?
- Treatments for pearly skin tags
- Which specialist should be consulted?
What are pearly papules?
Pearly papules or by their scientific name hirsuties papillaris genitalis, also called genital angiomifibromas, are benign excrescences that occur in the male genital organ and, to a lesser extent, in the female genital organ. They are characterized by small, approximately 1 millimeter, white protuberances that protrude from the crown of the glans penis, and also frequently appear on the sides of the frenulum.
This condition of the penis is not related to any sexually transmitted disease, but can be confused with some disease or condition of hygiene or sexual habits.
They are often asymptomatic, but may also become more obvious as they increase in size and become pearly pink in color.
The incidence of this condition affects approximately 20-30% of the male population.
Pearly papules are not a symptom of venereal disease,
of a bacterial infection, or of a fungus.
Prognosis of the disease
Pearly papules are not a symptom of any disease that may affect the health of the individual, they are simply an aesthetic imperfection, and in some cases they may also disappear spontaneously. They may also become more visible in males who have not been circumcised.
Occasionally, pearly papules may disappear with time, but they may also last a lifetime without any condition.
Symptoms of pearly papules
Pearly papules are small outgrowths of about 1mm with a rounded shape and the color can vary from pale pink to pearly white. They usually occur at the base of the glans penis in men or at the vulva in women. They do not cause irritation or infectious processes and are not contagious.
They usually appear as white pimples similar to pimples or warts, pink or whitish in color, but beyond that, there will not be the appearance of any side effects nor will they be painful.
Medical tests for pearly papules
The diagnosis is made through a simple objective examination by the specialist, who will rule out the presence of possible venereal diseases, such as condyloma or molluscum contagiosum, usually accompanied by itching and infections, by means of penoscopy.
What are the causes of pearly papules?
At present, the origin of this unsightly disorder is not clear. What is clear is that they are not the symptom of any venereal disease, bacterial infection or fungus. Sometimes they may even be congenital and then disappear with time or, on the contrary, when they reach adulthood, they may increase in size.
Can it be prevented?
As we have already mentioned, as they are not a contagious disease or pathology, papules cannot be prevented.
Treatments for pearly papules
Despite the great discomfort they cause in men because of their appearance, pearly papules are not a health problem, but only an aesthetic one. The treatments available to eliminate them are therefore aimed at improving the aesthetics of the skin of the affected genital organ. The most effective techniques to eliminate them go through removing the prominent tissue in the area:
- The COâ‚‚ Laser, which eliminates all papules in a single session in less than half an hour.
- Electrocoagulation, which through an electric needle sends an electrical impulse that destroys each papule, without side effects or pain.
- Cryotherapy, which uses liquid nitrogen to dry the papules, which will then fall off naturally.
- Curettage or surgical removal of the problem.
Which specialist treats it?
The specialists in charge of diagnosing and treating this disorder are the Dermatologist, the Andrologist, the Urologist and the Gynecologist.