Chafing or friction burns on your penis may be a result of sexual activity, masturbation, or wearing tight clothing. You can prevent friction burns by being more gentle during masturbation or sex.
Burns occur when your skin comes into contact with a very hot source. In friction burns, the heat is produced due to contact or rubbing against an abrasive source like carpet, concrete, or clothing.
It’s hard to determine the prevalence of penile friction burns. A 2023 review estimates that 1% to 17% of all burns occur on the penis, but the authors conclude that this is likely an overestimation.
Keep reading to learn more about the symptoms, causes, treatments, and prevention methods of penile friction burns.
A friction burn occurs when the friction between the skin and another object causes enough heat to burn the skin. It’s a cross between a scrape and a heat burn, according to the Burn and Reconstructive Centers of America.
Friction burns on the penis most commonly occur due to rubbing very hard on it, which can create enough heat to burn and scrape off skin. This may occur during masturbation or sexual contact, such as foreplay or intercourse.
Using lubrication during sexual activities may help prevent friction burns, especially if you regularly engage in them.
Penile friction burns may also be caused by contact with soft materials.
For instance, if you regularly wear tight clothing, your penis can rub against the material and cause a minor friction burn. You may also get a friction burn if you dry yourself vigorously with a towel.
Penile friction burns can affect any part of the penis, including the glans (head), prepuce (foreskin), shaft, and scrotum.
A minor friction burn may cause tenderness, swelling, and skin redness or other color changes. These usually only affect the epidermis, which is the top layer of skin.
In more severe penile friction burns, you may also experience:
- a burning sensation
- wetness
- pain
- blisters
- charred skin
- loss of sensation in the penis
It’s important to note, however, that these severe symptoms are more commonly associated with thermal burns.
If just the tip of your penis is inflamed and in pain, and you haven’t experienced any traumatic event, then it’s more likely you have balanitis. Balanitis is
Other symptoms of balanitis may include:
- tightened foreskin
- discharge
- itchiness
A friction burn may cause similar symptoms to sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). STDs are STIs that have
For instance, skin discoloration, swelling, and a burning sensation may be symptoms of several STIs, including:
However, it’s important to note that STIs are bacterial, fungal, or viral infections transmitted through sexual contact.
Friction burns occur due to the heat produced from friction with an abrasive source. It’s possible to experience a friction burn during sexual contact. But unlike an STI, a friction burn is not caused by an infection.
Here are some other symptoms that you may have an STI and not a friction burn:
- white, yellow, green, or watery discharge from your penis
- pain or burning when you urinate or ejaculate
- painful or swollen testicles
- itching or irritation inside your penis
- sores on your penis, rectum, or mouth
It’s important to speak with a healthcare professional if you experience any symptoms of friction burn or STIs. They can examine your symptoms to provide a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.
Treatment for a friction burn on the penis will depend on the severity of the burn and your symptoms.
A minor penile friction burn should heal on its own with rest within 1 week.
During this time, consider wearing loose-fitting, breathable underwear and pants in soft fabrics. You don’t want to wear anything that could rub against your penis and irritate it more.
Applying a gentle moisturizer or a prescription cream like 1% silver sulfadiazine may also help manage a burn. But it’s important to speak with a pharmacist or healthcare professional before applying any products on the penis.
The skin on your penis is more thin and sensitive than that on other body parts, so some products that can be used elsewhere may irritate the skin and even worsen the friction burn.
If you experience more severe symptoms, such as blistering, pain, pus, or a loss of penile sensation, it’s important to get medical attention. Very rarely, they may recommend debridement (removal of dead skin cells) or skin grafts (replacing dead skin with healthy skin) for severe friction burns.
You should also abstain from sexual activity and masturbation until your skin has completely healed. Resuming activity too soon could worsen your symptoms or lead to further complications.
Here are several tips to help you prevent penile friction burns and other types of irritation:
- Be more gentle when you masturbate or have sex. If your penis hurts, stop rubbing or ease up on the intensity.
- Use a water-based lubricant or a prelubricated condom during partner sex and solo play to reduce friction. Avoid oil-based lubes, as they can make condoms break.
- Keep your penis clean. Wash it every day with warm water and soap. If your foreskin is intact, gently pull it back and wash underneath. Also wash the base of your penis and testicles.
- Watch for a thick, white substance under your foreskin called smegma. If it builds up, bacteria can multiply and cause balanitis.
- Dry your penis thoroughly. Gently pat— don’t rub — with a towel.
If you regularly experience penile friction burns, speak with a doctor. They may recommend other prevention methods for you.
You can usually manage a friction burn at home, but keep an eye out for more serious symptoms.
See your doctor right away if you have:
- yellow or green discharge from your penis
- pain or burning when you go to the bathroom
- a painful or itchy rash, blisters, or warts on your penis that don’t go away
- pain during sex
Friction burns are usually caused by the heat produced from intense rubbing between the skin and an abrasive object.
Penile friction burns may occur during intense sexual activity or from wearing tight-fitting clothing. Symptoms may include skin discoloration, swelling, and tenderness.
If you experience a friction burn on the penis, speak with a doctor. They can help develop a treatment plan for you.