Are itchy, little white dots on testicles sac a sign of an STD? White bumps on scrotum can be a very embarrassing thing not to mention the pain associated with them. In this article, we shall discuss what the causes of the dots are, what treatment option to be used and how you can get rid of the pain and itchiness at home using simple home remedies.
White dots on testicles sac appear dome shaped with the size varying from small to large. The dots are filled with a combination of sebum and keratin tissue thus the white or creamy color most visible. The dots are harmless but for most it maybe a cause for embarrassment and reduced self-esteem making them shy away from engaging in sexual activity.
The cause of the white dots on scrotum vary from herpes infection, folliculitis, and scrotal cancer all the way to jock itch. It is therefore important to note that, the dots are not an infection on their own, but a sign of an underlying medical complication. Treating and getting rid of the dots starts with identifying the actual cause. Depending on what is causing the dots, your general health provider will examine the symptoms and prescribe the appropriate medication.
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What does white dots on testicles mean?
White dots on testicles sac is a very common and harmless condition. For most the appearance of the dots are just small pimple like bumps with no pain, whereas for others, the dots may appear as large and painful bumps that are filled with pus and other dead cells.
We have stated that white bumps are not an infection, but a sign of an underlying infection, to avoid developing future health complication you need to visit your health care provider who will examine and test your blood to establish what the actual cause of the bumps is. When this is done, the doctor will be able to prescribe anti-inflammatory and anti-itching creams which will be helpful in relieving the pain. Also oral antibiotic maybe given to speed up the healing process.
All this will be prescribed in addition to the treatment of the underlying cause. For example, if the cause of the dots is herpes, the doctor will prescribe Famvir, Zovirax, and Valtrex for treatment together with the above mentioned medication.
Pictures, images of white dots on testicles
Below find an image inserted to help you understand the cause of symptoms. In the post throughout, you will find more pictures to give you visual aid on this condition.
I have tiny white dots on testicles- what causes?
The causes of white dots on testicles vary from person. Depending on the symptoms, your general health provider or dermatologist will be able to look at them and establish the actual cause of the bumps. Otherwise the possible causes of the tiny dots will include, but not limited to the following;
1. Scrotal cancer
Scrotal cancer or testicular cancer is a less common form of cancer and affects males of ages 15 and 50 years according to cancer research. The most common form of testicle cancer is germ cell testicular cancer which accounts for 96% of testicles cancer cases. Germ cell are the cells used by the body to create sperm.
For scrotal cancer your dermatologist will look at the following symptoms;
- Enlargement in either testicle
- Pain or discomfort in the scrotum
- Back pain
- A dull ache in the abdomen
- Felling of heaviness in the scrotum
- An explained collection of fluid in the scrotum
- Painless lump on one of the testicles
The condition is rare, but if you are diagnosed with it, the treatment option will include;
According to the Center for Advocacy for cancer of the Testes International (CACTI). The treatment option for testicular cancer will depend on the stage and type of the cancer. Once this is done the doctor will discuss with you the available option and treatment will be carried out. The option will include, surgical procedures, radiation therapy, chemotherapy are in rare cases stem cell transplant.
2. White Dots on Testicles STD
Are white dots on testicles sac a sign of sexually transmitted infection? Small white bumps does not always imply an STD infection. In most case, white dots will disappear on their own without any medical treatment.
Depending with the symptoms, white dots on testicles could be as a result of an STD. the common cause being Genital Warts and Herpes infection. Genital herpes is a viral infection caused by a virus herpes simplex virus, it is an STD and can be transmitted from mother to child during birth. On the other hand, genital warts are caused by human papilloma virus, the virus can be transmitted through body contact.
It is possible for the dots cause by genital warts to resolve on their own, however, you should not attempt to get rid of the virus with over the counter prescription, you risk damaging your skin, instead visit a health care provider who will prescribe medicine such as podofilox (condylox) and trichloroacetic acid (TCA) a cream that stimulate the immune system to fight the infection.
The most commonly used medication for genital herpes are acyclovir (Zovirax), famciclovir (Famvir), and valacyclovir (Valtrex). All these are in form of oral pills.
3. Folliculitis
Folliculitis is the inflammation of the hair follicles. This is caused by a bacteria, a yeast infection or a fungus infection of the skin. Shaving and wearing tight clothing’s that rub the skin can irritate the hair follicles thereby damaging them. The follicles can also be blocked by sweating, petroleum jelly and makeups. Once the follicles are damaged, they are likely to get infected. The condition is also common for people with diabetes and HIV/AID.
Folliculitis appears as a red pimple with hair in the center of each one of them. The pimple like dots are filled with pus, are itchy and have a burning feeling. It is also possible for small pimples to appear on stomach, arms and legs.
It common for the folliculitis heal on their own in about 2 weeks, otherwise treatment option will include, warm compresses or compress using salty solution to reduce the itching. If the inflammation persist, your doctor, may prescribe antibiotics, they may also be helpful for high fever.
4. Jock itch
Tinea cruris, also called jock itch is a fungal infection of the skin. The infection is caused by mold-like fungi known as dermatophyte. The infection is common in men and adolescent boys. The infection causes a rash that often itches and burn, the affected area appears as red and scaly.
The symptoms to watch out for include;
- Redness in the affected area
- Burning sensation around the scrotum
- Discoloring around the testicles sac area
- Rash around the genital area.
In most case the disease can be treated at home, you could use anti-inflammatory cream but you need to avoid hydrocortisone creams which can worsen he condition, wear loose clothing, you can also apply a warm compress (using salty water warm water)
5. Fordyce spots
This are small raised, white dots on skin surface. They mostly appear on the surface of the scrotum, labia or the penis shaft. Although Fordyce spots are sebaceous glands in the wrong place, they are not associated with any disease or illness. The spots are not harmful or contagious. Dermatologist believe they are only of cosmetic concern.
For most dermatologist, Fordyce spots are viewed as normal, and most advice against treating them. However the treatment option will include,
- Pulsed dye laser, used to expand the sebaceous glands
- Electro desiccation,
- Micro-punch technique
6. Pilar cyst
Also referred to as epidermoid cyst, this are small smooth lumps that appear under the surface of the skin. This kind of lumps are non-cancerous and are mostly considered harmless. For most people the main reason they would want to get rid of them is for cosmetic beauty and not for health or medical complication.
A mild Pilar cyst may show no symptom, however with time, the cyst will fill up with pus and dead cells becoming inflamed. The other possible symptom in severe case would be, the cyst become infected ad become red and painful, the cyst may leak the pus and blood when punctured and finally a horn like structure will appear on the surface of the cyst.
The treatment option for Pilar cyst usually involves simple surgical procedure, the skin is numbed, an incision is made over the cyst which is then pulled out, this procedure should be done with the help of a specialized medical practitioner, and should not be performed at home.
7. Molluscum contagiosum
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, Molluscum contagiosum is a common harmless infectious disease that affect the skin. It is possible for people to contract the disease by sharing towels or having body contact.
The most common sign of the infection is a pink or red colored bumps on the surface of the skin. For people with weak immune system or those infected with HIV/AIDS, they tend to have more of the dots compared to those who don’t.
The condition is contiguous and immediate medical attention is required. Treatment of this condition for children is not encouraged to the unwanted side effects observed. The condition is left to heal without any medical intervention. However for grown up, treatment is carried out to avoid the spread to other parts, reduce the chance of spreading to other people and prevent it from growing out of control. Treatment option include
- Curettage, where a small tool is used to scrape out the bumps.
- Cryosurgery which involves freezing the dots with liquid nitrogen
- Laser surgery where laser rays are used to destroy the bumps.
- Imiquimod, helps immune system fight infection
- Antiviral medication for applying on the bumps.
Hard white dots on testicles sac, balls
Depending on how long you have had the dots, how large the dots are and how painful they appear, hard white dots on testicle should not be a cause for alarm or worry. If you have never had sex or engaged in sexual activities before, the dots on your genital area could most like be pimples, a skin cyst or just an ingrown hair which are very common and harmless.
On the other hand, if you have had the bumps on your penis for long and they fail to go away, you need to visit a doctor as soon as you can. This means you could be suffering from an underlying health complication. The other causes of the hard bumps on scrotum and around the shaft of your penis could be genital warts which mostly appears as irregular hard bumps.
There is a highly likelihood that the hard bumps could be as a result of cancer. According to report by the American Cancer Society, males are likely to develop hard bumps and swelling in or around the scrotum at different ages of their growth. You need to visit a general practitioner to check the cancerous cells to make sure that the cancer does not spread to other parts of your genitals.
Itchy little white dots on testicles
“I have had this itchy little pimple like dots for a week now, I tried anti-inflammatory creams I bought from the pharmacy but it does not seem to help. Could this be a sign of a sexually transmitted disease? Or am I suffering from cancer.”
In most cases, white dots on testicle sac is a common and harmless occurrence. However, the bumps may signify a serious underlying medical complication which when no careful consideration is given it could turn fetal. According to a health publication by Buddy MD, white dots on testicles sac can be due to two factors. One, factors affecting the skin from external and those that affect from underneath the skin.
Otherwise the common cause of this dots include STD. herpes, genital cancer and poor method of shaving. Most of the time, the condition will resolve on its own without any medical intervention, but if this fails to happen, you need to visit a dermatologist (doctors who specialize in skin treatment) for effective diagnosis and specialized treatment.
Painful white pimple-like dots on testicle and penile shaft
For most men having pimple like bumps on the scrotum and penile shaft can be very embarrassing and demeaning. Even though it is hard for the pimple like lumps to be noticed by your sex partner, the guilt and emotional unsettlement can be enough to “kill” yourself esteem and sexual drive.
It is important to note that, white dots on testicles sac and around the penile shaft is not necessarily harmful. Same common cause of such dots include Fordyce spots, which are tiny white spots. They are harmless and non-contagious therefore no medical attention is required. The dots are not sexually transmitted thus your sex partner should not worry.
The other common cause is pearly papule, these are small normal bumps that appear around the head of the penis. They are not sexually transmitted and will often go away on their own. Finally the dots could simply be septic spots, this are simply pimples, they go away on their own but if it doesn’t have your general practitioner cheek it out. Please do not pop the bumps as you risk transmitting the infection.
Treatment for small white dots on testicle
“I have had these bumps on my testicles such for long now, at times they itch and the other time they don’t. It is embarrassing to have sex with my partner and I am afraid to have the doctor check them out. Could I be suffering from HIV or cancer, I am scared”
For many people, white spots on testicles sac and around the penile shaft can be embarrassing and demoralizing. This should not be the case. Most of the small bumps on scrotum are normal, harmless ad will tend to resolve on their own without any medication attention. Take note that if this fails to happen, it means there is an underlying medical condition responsible. You need to have your doctor check them out for effective medication.
Treating and getting rid of the bumps mainly involves treating the underlying cause. Pleases refer above for the treatment option of each of the causes. Otherwise, general treatment will involve the use of antibiotics to prevent infection, corticosteroid injection for inflamed bumps and when the bumps are large and causing complication, a surgical procedure maybe carried out.
Natural home remedies to get rid, cure white dots on testicles
From our findings, we have seen that most of the skin infection causing white dots on testicles sac and around the penile shaft are harmless, normal and always go away on their own. If you have just noticed the bumps on the scrotum, you do not need to worry or start taking medication, there exist simple home remedy which will help ease the itching and reduce the pain while ensuring a faster recovery.
Here’s what you need to do:
- Avoid scratching the dots
- Put on loose clothing that facilitate free flow of air.
- Maintain good hygiene, you should shower often and ensure your genital area is dried properly
- You could also apply antifungal powder found over-the-counter
- Apply antibacterial solutions such as aloe Vera and apple cider vinegar this will reduce the itching and reduce the inflammation.
Further references
- White dots on testicles http://www.enkivillage.com/white-spots-on-testicles.html
- http://www.netdoctor.co.uk/conditions/sexual-health/a12010/spots-on-the-penis/
- http://www.doctorslounge.com/urology/forums/backup/topic-27054.html
- https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/contagious-skin-diseases/molluscum-contagiosum
- Folliculitis http://www.webmd.com/skin-problems-and-treatments/tc/folliculitis-topic-overview#2
- http://www.healthline.com/health/jock-itch#4
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