Sores on the penis can range from small cuts to blisters or ulcers, and common triggers include friction, irritation from soaps or fabrics, poor hygiene, and balanitis.
Infections are also a frequent cause of sores on the penis, including genital herpes, syphilis, HPV, mpox, and other STIs, and symptoms may include itching, burning, swelling, pain, or discharge.
Medical evaluation is important if sores are painful, bleeding, paired with fever or discharge, spreading quickly, or not improving within about a week, since treatment may require prescription antifungals, antibiotics, antivirals, or other targeted therapies.

Sores on the penis can appear as cuts, ulcers, blisters, or scabs, and may be triggered by friction from sex or tight clothing, poor hygiene, or irritation from soaps, fabrics, or latex. In some cases, sores on the penis are linked to contact dermatitis, balanitis, or yeast overgrowth.

Sores on the penis may occur along with itching, burning, swelling, pain, or discharge, and the pattern of symptoms can help narrow down the cause. Infections are also possible, including genital herpes, syphilis, lymphogranuloma venereum, HPV, mpox, pubic lice, and urethritis, while autoimmune conditions and penile cancer are less common but important to rule out.

Because sores on penis have many possible causes, evaluation by a urologist often includes a physical exam and tests such as swabs, urine testing, and blood work for sexually transmitted infections. Treatment depends on the underlying cause and may include protective ointments, corticosteroid creams, antifungals, antibiotics, antivirals, or other targeted therapies.

Symptom quiz

Enter your symptoms below to determine what may be causing your penile sores:

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Main causes

The most common causes of sores on the penis are:

1. Friction on the glans

Friction on the glans, or head, of the penis can be the result of excessive rubbing during vaginal, anal, or oral sex, or from rubbing against clothing.

In addition to small wounds or cuts, other symptoms include localized redness, pain, and bleeding, which in some cases require immediate treatment.

How to heal: If you notice a wound or a crack on the head of your penis that may be caused by friction, it’s best to see a urologist for an evaluation and proper treatment to promote healing.

2. Skin irritation

Some people may experience skin sensitivity from certain fabrics or hygiene products, which can trigger redness, skin peeling, open sores, itching, and burning.

Penis irritation can result from friction, such as rubbing against clothing or during sexual activity. It can also occur due to poor hygiene, as sweat, oil, and microorganisms that build up on the skin may lead to a penile inflammation known as balanitis.

How to heal: If irritation is allergy-related, you should avoid contact with the triggering allergen. Antihistamine tablets or creams can help relieve symptoms, and moisturizing creams may promote healing of the affected skin.

Balanitis is usually treated with corticosteroid, antifungal, or antibiotic creams. With proper treatment, the lesions typically heal within about one week.

3. Allergies

A sore on the penis may appear due to an allergy to certain fabrics, soaps, hygiene products, or latex in condoms.

These products can cause skin irritation and inflammation around the penis as well as redness, flaking, ulcers, itching, and burning.

How to heal: It’s important to identify and avoid the substance or material that triggers the allergy. In some cases, doctors may prescribe anti-allergy medications, such as hydroxyzine, in ointment or tablet form to help relieve symptoms.

4. Diabetes

Poorly managed diabetes can increase the risk of inflammation or infection of the penis or foreskin, such as balanitis or balanoposthitis.

These infections are often caused by the Candida albicans fungus and can result in redness, itching, swelling, and the formation of small wounds or fissures on the penis.

How to heal: You should consult a urologist for evaluation and treatment, which usually includes antifungal ointments and/or corticosteroid creams. The doctor may also recommend improving your personal hygiene to help prevent future reinfections.

In addition, maintaining normal blood sugar levels is essential.

5. Genital herpes

Genital herpes is one of the most common causes of sores on the penis. It is caused by the herpes simplex virus, which spreads through contact with a person who has active, open sores.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), herpes simplex virus infection can cause painful blisters or ulcers at the site of infection, including the genitals.

How to heal: Genital herpes should be treated under the supervision of a healthcare provider. The provider may prescribe antiviral medications, such as acyclovir or famciclovir, in pill or cream form to limit the virus’s replication.

In addition, topical creams or gels containing anesthetics like lidocaine can help relieve symptoms such as pain and burning.

6. Syphilis

Syphilis is an infection caused by Treponema pallidum bacteria. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), during the primary stage of syphilis, sores are usually (but not always) firm, round, and painless, and they can occur in, on, or around the penis.

This infection is often transmitted through unprotected sex from an infected partner. If left untreated, syphilis can lead to more advanced stages of infection, like secondary or tertiary syphilis.

How to heal: If you notice any s yphilis symptoms, contact your primary care provider as soon as possible so they can start appropriate treatment promptly.

7. Lymphogranuloma venereum

Lymphogranuloma venereum is is a sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by Chlamydia trachomatis bacteria. It usually causes painless sores or small fluid-filled blisters, which can appear 3 to 5 days after initial exposure to the bacteria.

In addition, the sores or lumps may develop into painful, bleeding ulcers at the infection site, which later heal into bumps.

How to heal: Treatment is managed by a urologist, who may prescribe antibiotics to eliminate the infection-causing bacteria.

It is also important for all sexual partners to receive treatment to prevent reinfection, even if they have no symptoms.

8. HPV

HPV is an STI that spreads through unprotected sexual contact with someone who has the virus. It can cause genital warts as well as lumps or sores on the penis.

How to heal: Treatment should be managed by a urologist, who may prescribe topical ointments or acid-based applications to treat the HPV warts. In more severe cases, surgical removal may be necessary.

9. Donovanosis

Donovanosis, also known as granuloma inguinale, is another STI that is caused by Klebsiella granulomatis bacteria.

Generally, swelling may develop in the genital area about 3 days after infection. If untreated, this can progress to painful wounds or ulcers, often on the penis, that grow larger over time and bleed easily.

How to heal: Treatment for donovanosis requires prescription antibiotics to eradicate the bacteria. More extensive lesions may also need surgical intervention.

10. Urethritis

Penile wounds can also occur internally, as seen in urethritis. This condition typically causes pain along with yellowish or light-colored discharge. Common causes include STIs like gonorrhea or chlamydia.

How to heal: Treatment should be guided by a urologist and usually involves the use of antibiotics, depending on the type of bacteria that caused the infection.

11. Mpox

Mpox (formerly monkeypox) is a viral infection caused by a virus from the Orthopoxvirus genus. It leads to symptoms like fever, chills, and painful, itchy blisters or sores on the skin.

This sexually transmitted infection can affect the skin in any body region, including the genitals such as the penis or anus. It spreads through direct contact with secretions from blisters and sores, which heightens transmission risk during sexual intercourse.

How to heal: Treatment for this condition typically involves antiviral medications like tecovirimat, prescribed by a urologist or infectious disease specialist. Doctors may also recommend drugs such as acetaminophen to ease associated symptoms like fever or pain.

12. Pubic lice

Pubic lice, also known as an STI, results from infestation by the Pthirus pubis louse species. It spreads primarily through sexual contact with an infected person.

This STI often causes intense genital itching, particularly in the pubic area or scrotum, along with inflammation, bumps, or sores from excessive scratching.

How to heal: Treatment should be guided by a urologist or dermatologist. It usually involves applying a lotion or shampoo containing 1% permethrin, with a second application required after 1 week.

13. Autoimmune disease

Certain autoimmune diseases can cause penile or genital sores, such as Behçet's disease, pemphigus, lichen planus, Crohn's disease, Reiter's syndrome (reactive arthritis), erythema multiforme, and dermatitis herpetiformis.

These conditions often produce lesions in other body areas too. Systemic symptoms like fever, fatigue, or weight loss are also common.

How to heal: Diagnosis and treatment of autoimmune diseases typically occur under the supervision of a rheumatologist or dermatologist. These specialists often prescribe medications such as immunosuppressants or corticosteroids to regulate the immune system and alleviate symptoms.

14. Cancer

Penile cancer is very rare. It involves a tumor that develops on the penis shaft or scrotal skin, often appearing as sores, nodules, or changes in skin color and texture.

This cancer mainly affects men over 60, but younger men who smoke or have poor hygiene are also at risk.

How to heal: Cancer treatment is guided by an oncologist and urologist. Options may include medications, surgery to remove affected tissue, and/or chemotherapy or radiation therapy, depending on the cancer stage and lesion severity.

Sores on Penis: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment