Penis Injury
Is this your symptom?
- Injuries to the male genital area (scrotum or penis)
Key Points
- Injuries to the male genitals (penis, scrotum) are not common. Clothing and the location of the genitals usually protect them from injury.
- Injury can rarely occur during vigorous sex or masturbation.
- The need for treatment depends on the type of injury.
Types
The most common injury is a direct blow to the male genital area. Most often this happens from being hit by a ball or getting kicked in the genital area. Severe pain occurs right away. The pain can be so bad it makes a person sick or even vomit. Usually this type of injury is not serious. The pain will go away in 10 to 30 minutes. Pain lasting longer than one hour is a sign that there may be a more worrisome injury.
Injuries to the skin of the penis and scrotum are not common.
- Bite Injury: An animal or human bite can cause a bruise, cut, or scratch.
- Bruise: It is caused by a direct blow to the skin. Bruises are tender to touch. The bruised skin may first look red, then purple, and finally orange-yellow. A doctor exam is recommended if there is visible bruising.
- Cut - Shallow: Shallow cuts (scratches) only go part way through the skin. They rarely become infected. A scratch is an injury to the skin from a sharp edge. For example, a scratch can be caused by fingernails. A shallow cut or scratch can usually be treated at home.
- Cut - Deep: Deep cuts (lacerations) go through the skin. Stitches are usually needed.
- Zipper Injury: The skin of the penis may become caught in a pants zipper. Emergency care is usually needed. Local anesthesia (numbing medicine) and special tools are required to remove the zipper safely.
More serious injuries include:
- Testicular hematoma or rupture
- Testicular torsion
- Fractured penis
- Urethral tear
When to Call for Penis Injury
Call 911 Now- Major bleeding (nonstop bleeding or spurting)
- You think you have a life-threatening emergency
Call Doctor or Seek Care Now- Pain or burning when passing urine
- You think you need to be seen, and the problem is urgent
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Call Doctor Within 24 Hours- Mild pain in penis, scrotum, or testicle lasts more than 1 day
- Blood in semen
- You think you need to be seen, but the problem is not urgent
Call Doctor During Office Hours- Last tetanus shot was more than 10 years ago, for CLEAN cut or scrape
- Last tetanus shot was more than 5 years ago, for DIRTY cut or scrape
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Self Care at Home- Minor scrape
- Direct blow to area (such as a baseball, kicked, bicycle straddle injury)
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Care Advice
- What You Should Know:
- A direct blow to the penis and testicles can cause severe pain.
- In most cases the pain will get better in 10-30 minutes with rest. Usually there is no long-term damage.
- If the pain lasts longer than one hour, you need to be seen.
- Here is some care advice that should help.
- Treatment of a Direct Blow to Genital Area:
- Put a cold pack on the area for 10 minutes. Here is how to make your own cold pack. Put some ice in a plastic bag. Wrap the plastic bag in a towel.
- Lay down and rest.
- Treatment of a Minor Scrape (Abrasion):
- Wash the scrape with soap and water for 5 minutes. Gently scrub out any dirt with a washcloth.
- Put on an antibiotic ointment.
- Call Your Doctor If:
- Moderate or severe pain lasts more than 1 hour
- Mild pain lasts more than 1 day
- Any swelling or visible bruising of penis or scrotum
- Trouble passing urine or there is blood in the urine
- You think you need to be seen
- You get worse
And remember, contact your doctor if you develop any of the 'Call Your Doctor' symptoms.
Disclaimer: this health information is for educational purposes only. You, the reader, assume full responsibility for how you choose to use it.
| Last Reviewed: |
2/23/2019 1:00:34 AM |
| Last Updated: |
11/3/2018 1:00:30 AM |
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