Smegma, causes, symptoms and treatment What is smegma?

Dead cells, sebum and skin oils are combined under the foreskin of the penis, and appear as small white bumps. This is called smegma.

While it may be alarming when first noticed, it is a natural phenomenon and helps promote lubrication between the glans and foreskin.

Smegma should be removed through normal washing process, but in some cases where hygiene is low or wash under the foreskin difficult, smegma can accumulate and cause problems.

Regular washing, creams for penis health and medication may be needed to control the smegma.

Smegma Symptoms

Smegma is present under the foreskin of men because the skin is constantly changing, but it is not always obvious. When it becomes visible, smegma appears as a moist white material into small balls between the glans and foreskin.

While smegma is odorless, in some cases, where hygiene is very poor smegma can harden into "stones" and can be very uncomfortable. 

Finally hardened smegma can cause bacterial cultures under the foreskin and increase the risk of infections and diseases.

If smegma occurs with other symptoms such as itching, swelling or pain, you should consult your doctor to rule out sexually transmitted diseases or fungal infections.

Smegma: Causes

Hygiene: Why do not all men experience smegma?

Depends on differences in hygiene, wash under the foreskin removes exfoliated skin cells before they can collect sebum oils and become visible smegma.

According to a research review published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, researchers have determined that smegma is composed of dead skin cells, oils prostatic secretions, sex hormones and white cells of the blood.

Doctors used to believe that smegma could cause diseases such as prostate cancer, but scientists now understand that smegma is common in adolescents and adult men.

It is useful to lubricate the space between the glans and the foreskin, and some believe it may have antibacterial and antifungal properties.

Phimosis, and smegma

Men who have difficulty retracting the foreskin back and exposing the head of his penis, may have a condition called phimosis. Very often congenital phimosis can also be caused by trauma, infection or scarring.

Because retraction of the foreskin is very difficult, hygiene and cleanliness so will, in many cases, so the presence of smegma, is more likely. According to a study published in The Journal of Urology, men with phimosis are nearly twice as likely to experience smegma than men without phimosis.

If cleaning the space under the foreskin is too difficult and not properly removed smegma, circumcision or partial circumcision may be needed in order to prevent discomfort or some related illness.

Smegma Treatment

Washing:

Smegma is a natural lubricant and antibacterial agent, but may accumulate if hygiene in the penis, it is not done regularly.

Regular cleaning of the glans penis under the foreskin with warm water and soap helps remove exfoliated skin cells and prevent them from accumulating. This good hygiene practice must be completed every day, especially in men with a tendency to develop much smegma as a preventive measure.

Medicines:

In some cases, antibiotics may have a regulatory effect on the oil glands sebum on the skin, and can benefit in cases of great accumulation of smegma, when the causes are not due to phimosis or poor hygiene.

Antibiotics are used for severe cases of acne as well, but take several months to see the full effect on the oil glands sebum.

Antibiotics can cause side effects in some cases, poor immune function (low defenses of the body), intestinal dysbiosis and digestive problems. Talk to your doctor about whether antibiotics are appropriate for you.