Buzz
Pearl beads, also referred to as benign genital papules, are tiny bumps around the coronal ridge of the penis. They appear after puberty and often grow in one or two evenly spaced rows. These beads are harmless and non-contagious, meaning no treatment is necessary. However, some individuals may choose to remove them for cosmetic reasons. It is advised to consult a doctor to discuss potential solutions and to rule out other conditions that might require treatment. If surgery is not preferred, you may consider unproven folk remedies to lighten the bumps.
Steps
Explore Medical Treatment Options
Consult a doctor if the bumps become a concern. Pearl beads on the penis are a normal, harmless anatomical feature and are not contagious. However, if they cause anxiety, it is important to see a doctor for a proper examination to confirm they are benign. You can then discuss possible treatment options with the doctor.
Warning: Please note that any treatment for pearl beads on the penis carries certain risks. It is advisable to consult with a doctor about these risks and carefully consider your options before deciding on treatment.
Ask about the CO2 laser removal method. This is one of the most effective treatments for pearl beads on the penis. The high temperature of the laser destroys the bumps, and local anesthesia is used to numb the area during the procedure. Within 5 to 7 days after treatment, the tissue around the head of the penis will regenerate, leaving smooth skin.
- You may experience some pain after the procedure, but the doctor will prescribe pain relief medication.
- Usually, just one session is enough to remove all the bumps, but in some cases, 2-3 sessions may be needed.
Consider radiosurgery for removing pearl beads from the penis. If CO2 laser therapy is not suitable for you, your doctor may recommend radiosurgery. This method uses high-dose radiation to target the bumps, causing the tissue to die and shed. While not as effective as CO2 laser surgery, it is more effective than other options.
- Radiosurgery, also known as Cyberknife, does not involve cutting the penis to remove the bumps but uses targeted radiation. The procedure is painless and lasts between 30 minutes and 2 hours. However, you may need multiple sessions to completely remove all the bumps.
- During the procedure, the doctor or technician will be in a separate room, but you can communicate with them via an intercom system. The doctor will perform the procedure by controlling a robotic arm that administers the radiation.
Consider if surgical excision is right for you. In this surgery, the doctor will use a scalpel to remove the bumps while you are under local anesthesia. This type of surgery typically leaves a scar and can be quite painful during recovery. However, your doctor will prescribe pain medications to assist with discomfort.
- Surgical excision is not commonly used for removing pearl beads on the penis as it may leave a scar. However, if other options are not available or suitable for you, your doctor may suggest this method.
Learn about electrosurgery and curettage methods. This procedure, known as hyfrecation, is a type of surgery using a device called a hyrefrector that applies an electric current to the bumps. The electric current dries out the tissue of the bumps, after which the doctor uses a curette to remove them.
- This treatment will leave a scar and requires local anesthesia. You may experience significant pain during recovery, but your doctor will prescribe pain relief medications for you.
Consult with your doctor about cryotherapy. Cryotherapy involves using liquid nitrogen to freeze the bumps and remove them by freezing. After the procedure, the skin will heal, and the pearly penile papules will disappear. This procedure causes mild burning sensations and usually does not require anesthesia. However, cryotherapy comes with certain risks, such as:
- Scarring
- Swelling
- Loss of sensation in the treated area for 12 to 18 months
- Changes in skin pigmentation
- Blinching and bleeding in the treated area
- Longer recovery time
Advice: Cryotherapy may not be suitable for everyone, so it is important to discuss the benefits and risks of this method with your doctor.
Exclude other potential conditions
Check if the bumps have a consistent shape. Pearly penile papules do not have random shapes. Typically, the bumps are arranged in one or two rows around the penile crown. If the bumps are scattered and do not form a ring around the penis head, consult your doctor for a check-up.
- For example, if you only see a few bumps on the head of the penis, they could indicate another condition, such as genital warts or sebaceous glands.
Pay attention if the bumps appear anywhere other than the penile crown. If the bumps appear on the shaft of the penis, they are likely not pearly penile papules. Pearly penile papules are only found on the penile crown.
- For example, lesions on the penile shaft may be misplaced sebaceous glands or flat lichen.
Take note of any white, lumpy discharge on the bumps. The pearl necklace on the penis does not typically produce noticeable discharge. If there is discharge, it is often from misplaced sebaceous glands. If you observe any discharge from the bumps, it is best to consult a doctor.
Be aware of any changes to the bumps. The pearl necklace on the penis remains unchanged, with the bumps always staying in place since puberty. If you notice the bumps enlarging or changing, consult a doctor. This could indicate that the bumps are not part of the natural pearl necklace and might require a doctor's diagnosis.
Advice: If you have any concerns about the pearl necklace on the penis, seek a medical diagnosis. It is important to treat any issues if the bumps are not part of the pearl necklace but another condition. If the bumps are confirmed as part of the natural pearl necklace, you can feel more reassured.
Trying unverified home remedies
Apply toothpaste to the bumps once a day. Although this method has not been scientifically validated, some individuals claim it works. Gently rub toothpaste onto the pearl bumps and leave it on for 5-10 minutes before rinsing off.
- You can apply toothpaste before taking a shower.
- Try this method daily for 4-6 weeks to see if there is any improvement.
Apply castor oil to the bumps once daily. Some men have noticed improvement after regularly applying castor oil to their penile papules for several weeks. Use a cotton swab or cotton ball to apply the oil, wait for 5-10 minutes, then rinse thoroughly.
- Repeat this daily for 4-6 weeks and monitor the changes in the bumps.
Use fresh lemon juice on the bumps every day. While this remedy has not been scientifically proven, some men have used fresh lemon juice at home to improve the appearance of their penile papules. Squeeze a lemon to extract the juice, then use a cotton ball to apply it to the bumps. Leave it on for 5-10 minutes before washing it off completely.
- Repeat this daily for 4-6 weeks and observe if the papules improve.
Advice: Never apply lemon juice or anything else to an open wound. If there is any abrasion or ulcer on the penis, refrain from applying any substances until the wound heals.
Try applying diluted eucalyptus oil to the bumps once a day. Some men have found eucalyptus oil to be effective in treating penile papules, so you might want to give this method a try. Dilute a few drops of eucalyptus oil with 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of carrier oil like almond oil or baby oil. Dip a cotton swab into the mixture and apply it to the bumps. Leave the oil on the penis throughout the day.
- Try this daily for 4-6 weeks to see if it has any effect.
Advice
- Keep in mind that the pearl-like bumps on the penis are a normal anatomical variation of the human body and are quite common.
Warning
- Under no circumstances should you attempt to remove the bumps on the penis with sharp or rough objects. You could harm the penile tissue, leading to issues like pain or scarring.
