Dermatoses of the Male Genitalia

Abstract

Male genital dermatoses present a diverse array of symptoms including itch, pain, cracking, blistering, bruising, dysuria and dyspareunia, and can affect quality of life in terms of sexual, dermatological, psychological and urological morbidity. Dermatoses such as psoriasis, lichen planus and atopic eczema may manifest in specific morphology in the genital region, while other dermatoses such as lichen sclerosus, have a genital predilection, and subtle clinical signs that require assiduous assessment and a trained eye to detect. Treatment may present similar challenges due to the essential functions and associated stressors in the region. Precancerous pathologies also present challenges in terms of clinical recognition, and treatment, with diverse morphologies and region‐specific predisposing factors, and surgical challenges in terms of preserving sexual and urinary function.