Pimple on Scrotum (Balls) Won’t Pop or Go Away: Meaning, Pictures & Treatment

A pimple on the groin area can be the source of worry and discomfort especially if it hurts (painful), won’t go way or won’t pop.

Itchy bumps on the scrotal sack are even worse. But can you get a pimple on your scrotum really?

What does it mean? What are the causes of these lumps that appear to be small, hard, big, red, and sometimes white pimples on the scrotum, shaft and around anus area?

• Bumps on scrotum skin can be a symptom of a sexually transmitted disease (STD).
• They may also be a sign of cancer.
• While you should worry about recurrent bumps that are not razor bumps and ingrown hair, some of these zits may be harmless.

Benign bumps on the genital area should however not be ignored because they can easily be confused to be harmless yet they are dangerous.

Can you get pimples on scrotum?

Can you get a pimple on your balls? What does it mean?

A bump around the genitals can appear as black, white, or red. Some may be pus-filled and cause a lot of discomfort.

According to a doctor on ZocDoc, “you can get a pimple on the skin of your scrotum.” But why would you get a zit or bump around the genitals of all parts?

The reason is that the area around the scrotum is almost always moist.

In addition, friction from thighs and some clothing can cause a lot of irritation that will cause scrotum pimple-like bumps.

As you will also learn later in this guide, shaving may cause ingrown hairs, which mostly look like razor bumps under skin on scrotum.

What does it mean? Unlike acne on the nose, scalp or around the ear, pimples on the penis shaft and scrotal skin can be a source of worry. Most people would ask if such sores or zits mean an STD or even cancer.

The answer to your question cannot be conclusive unless you have a doctor look at it and a proper diagnosis done. It does not matter if the scrotum zit is painless or painful.

Seek medical attention because it could mean anything from an STD to cancer to just an ingrown hair that you should not worry about.

Causes

What causes acne ples on balls and genital area? Buddy MD on discussing genital bumps divides them into two different types: lumps inside scrotum sack and bumps on the surface of the skin.

Each of these are have different causes and may or may not be of serious health implications.

Cystic acne, STDs, herpes, bad shaving techniques, skin cancer and many other factors relate to the causes of scrotal acne.

1. Shaving bumps and ingrown hair

Some men worry about scrotal bumps when they are actually nothing but just part of the texture of the scrotal sack skin. The small bumps are part of the hair follicles and are likely to look like raised bumps because the skin on the scrotum is very thin.

However, poor shaving technique can also cause genital hair to curve downward into the skin when growing and form ingrown hair.

Ingrown hair bumps can also be described as pimples or bumps on the skin in the bikinis or scrotal region.

To prevent or get rid of these, avoid rough shaving methods such as chemical removal, waxing and tweezing. These can cause pimples on scrotum and anus area, around inner thighs and upper legs.

2. STD, herpes or warts

Do pimples on the scrotal sack mean an STD? Not always, but in some instances, they could be a sign of a developing STD.

Herpes is one of the major diseases discussed when a patient shows symptoms of a pimple on scrotum.

Warts are also a possible cause of scrotal bumps. These may be hard lumps on the scrotum sack skin. They can also look flesh-like even though they start developing as small pimples or zits. At the start, you might not be able to tell whether it is a genital wart on your balls.

Genital herpes and warts are normally characterized by painful zit-like growths and may appear as if they have pus or fluid in them. If it is herpes, you are likely to see the lesions spreading to the surrounding area.

3. Testicular cancer

The American Cancer Society reports that “Men who develop lumps, swelling, or pain in the groin or scrotal area may be worried they have testicular cancer.”

One of the main symptoms of testicular cancer is a hard painless lump on the scrotum, or on the testicles.

However, that does not entirely mean that a small pimple on the scrotum means cancer.  There are many other conditions that may manifest as pimples. Doing a testicular cancer self-exam can help you determine if you have a lump that is a cancerous growth or not.

4. Folliculitis

Folliculitis results from inflamed and sometimes infected hair follicles on the skin. This can occur on the scrotum area as well and lead to white spots. You might think it is a whitehead on your scrotum skin or sack but it is folliculitis.

• Itchy white pimples on the scrotal sack appear as white headed raised bumps just around the hair follicles.
• These may later have pus, turn red or become painful or start to hurt.
• If you have just one acne spot around the genitals, then it is likely that the white bump is folliculitis that developed from a hair follicle that got injured when you pulled it.

To get rid of white pimples on your scrotal sack or skin, you will need to practice proper hygiene. However, in some instances, you may need to have it treated properly. A doctor might give you an anti-inflammatory cream to help relieve itching.

5. Fordyce spots

Do you have a white rash on scrotum or around your genitals? Painless spots on your scrotal skin could be fordyce spots.

When sebaceous glands become visible on the skin, they are called Fordyce spots. These can appear as white bumps under eyes, on the face, legs and other parts of the body. If you have a painless white bump, it is likely to be a Fordyce granule.

According to Wikipedia, clusters of Fordyce spots appear most on genitals, oral cavity and also on the face. They specifically note that these pimples appear to have no pain, are small, pale or sometimes red raised bumps about 3mm on the shaft of penis, scrotum or labia.

6. Blood blisters on scrotum

Scrotum blood blisters are sometimes called angiokeratomas. These may start bleeding or will not stop bleeding for a while. According to Dr. Robert Bennett, they can result from benign dilated veins.

Another doctor on HealthTap, Dr. Jerome Litt suggests that blood blisters on the scrotum may be harmless lesions that are common in older men.

7. Jock itch

One of the symptoms of jock itch is a painful or itchy rash on the groin, around buttocks, on scrotum and inner thighs. The resultant bumps have a red-brown color and will cause a lot of discomfort around the groin.

 

Jock itch is a fungal infection and will affect the skin although it is not very serious. Mayo Clinic terms it as “not serious” and is prevalent in athletes and overweight people because of excessive sweating that attracts the development of fungus around the groin. Most people describe jock itch as red itchy pimples on scrotum.

8. Sebaceous cyst

A hard pimple on scrotum sack is likely to be a sebaceous cyst.

A small hard pimple or lump on scrotum sack can be a bump from ingrown hair. However, if not, it could be a benign sebaceous cyst, according to Dr. S. Samantha, MD – pathologist and microbiologist.

A sebaceous cyst is often described as a hard pimple under the scrotum sack, as it is likely to be felt just under the skin.

The keratin substance in the bumps is what makes it feel hard. The cause of the sebaceous cysts is said to be blocked sebaceous glands, hair follicles that are swollen and sometimes too much production of testosterone hormones in men.

If the bump won’t pop

Most people complain of pimples that don’t pop or just won’t pop as normal zits would.

An attempt to pop this zit-like growth is likely to result in blood draining from the rounded structure. Although popping a bump on your genitals is not really advised, you can do it if you know how to do it.

However, a scrotal zits that won’t pop could be a sign that it is a sebaceous cyst or a growth of some kind. A bump with no head is likely to be very problematic if you try to pop it. Here’s what you should know before trying to pop the pimple:

• Popping a pimple in such an area is likely to be very painful since the skin is light or thin.
• An attempt is likely to push bacteria deeper, making it even worse. This can lead to an infection on the zit, which will be followed by pus.
• A zitthat is not ripe on the scrotum won’t pop at all. You have to wait for it to come closer to the surface before you attempt to get rid of it.

It won’t go away

Are pimples on your scrotum normal? What if they don’t go away and appear to be purple in color, with no head and recurring all the time? Aren’t they weird? A cluster of zits, or rash like formation in the genital and groin region should go away on its own.

However, according to Steady Health, bumps that won’t go away on the scrotum, around the anus and shaft are generally caused by ingrown hair and razor bumps. If you have been shaving, waxing or using other hair removal methods frequently around this region, it should explain the recurrence of the pimples or bumps. However, if you don’t shave yet the pimples are weird and keep appearing, you should visit a doctor.

On baby

Does your baby show rash on the scrotum? Raised bumps that look like whitehead pimples on a toddler child around the groin and scrotal region are more often than not diaper rash. According to Medline Plus Medical Encyclopedia, diaper rash is a common problem in babies between the age of 4 and 15 months.

Diaper rash may appear as small, bright red rashes that might get bigger. Some of them may be red and form scaly skin as they dry up.

In boys, the zits may cause a lot of discomfort around the scrotal region and make the baby to cry all the time. Look out for the following symptoms of scrotal diaper rash.

• Bright red rashes that keep spreading and growing in the groin region.
• Red and scaly areas on the penis and scrotum.
• Ulcers, blisters, large lumps and sores that may be filled with pus.
• Small patches that appear to be red and spreading.
• Your baby might scratch when you remove the diaper.

One way of identifying diaper rash on the scrotum of the baby is to look and determine if the rash does not spread beyond the end of the diaper.

Red pimple on balls

Do you have a red bump on your balls? How do you stop an itchy red pimple like bump on scrotum? According to Dr. Jason Emer, MD, red pimples on balls are likely to be follicular eczema. These develop as a result of friction between your legs.

During exercise, the red scrotum pimples on the sack may increase or form a cluster. If you are prone to acne, it could be the reason for those bumps as well. If you are not sure of the cause, see a dermatologist or general physician to do a proper diagnosis and suggest the proper treatment.

Painful zit that hurts

White, red, sore, painful to touch pimples are likely to be sebaceous cysts that are inflamed or irritated. If you are complaining of a pimple on testicles that is painful, Buddy MD notes that it is simply an infected cyst.

Infection of sebaceous cysts occurs when bacteria around the groin area enter the cyst. Scratching or attempting to pop the pimple, or even friction that arises from walking may cause a painful pimple because of the irritation.

• Infected cysts are normally swollen
• They start to hurt when disturbed or irritated
• Sometimes, the sores on scrotum will start oozing pus

Treatment for pimples that hurt on the shaft and scrotum may include antibiotics. However excision may be required if the swollen pimple becomes large or keeps growing big and hurting.

Big pimple still growing large

A large bump on testicles should be enough cause for alarm. It is normal to have Fordyce spots in this area, but when something develops into a growing zit or bump, it should be checked by a doctor as soon as possible.

A growing pimple on infant testicles is also a problem that should not be left unaddressed. While in some cases, these bumps and zits or sores clear by themselves, sometimes they dong go away and keep growing huge or large.

If after a week or two it has not subsided and keeps growing, hardening or forming a lump under your skin, see a doctor quickly because it could be a benign growth or a cancerous growth as well.

Growths inside scrotum sack

Spermatoceles are abnormal growths, usually referred to as cystic growths on the inside of the epididymis. The sac that develops may feel like a lump inside the scrotal sack, just above or on the lower or under side of the area.

Spermatocele sacs contain dead sperm cells and other seminal fluids. If the pimple like growth is painless, then it is more likely to be a spermatocele. It will not need treatment although the growing bump on scrotum may continue to grow large, at which point it might require surgery to remove it.

Yellow and infected with pus

According to Steady Health, ulcers can manifest themselves on the scrotum as craters and may cause the loss of the epidermis, which will result in an uncomfortable infected pimple on the penile shaft or scrotum.

A yellow pimple may be an infected zit that should be treated as soon as possible. If you pop the pimple, it is likely to form pus or bleed a little and end up forming a crust. However, if it does not heal fast on its own, it could be infected and may turn into a boil.

Yellow pimples on your scrotum, or a boil with pus may be a developing ulcer that is likely to be caused by genital herpes, a viral infection or could also mean skin cancer. It is highly advised that you see a doctor as soon as possible for proper diagnosis and proper treatment of infected pimples on scrotum if you suspect you are developing ulcers, herpes, skin cancer or any STD.

Treatment

How do you get rid of pimples on scrotum? Can you remove them fast? There are treatments and home remedies that can be used to cure scrotum sack bumps. The treatment that is used is largely dependent on the cause of the problem. Here are different ways to get rid of bumps on scrotum and genital area.

1.    Antibiotics for folliculitis

Antibiotics are normally administered for the removal of the pimples if the area if the infection lasts for long and also if hygiene is not enough to clear the problem. If the area is itchy and causes you a lot of discomfort, apply warm compresses to relieve itching and the general drying feeling.

Infections, as you already know, occur if the zit on scrotum gets infected from bacteria that are already around the genital area. If you see a swollen bump with pus, or any kind of discharge, antibiotics will be administered after which excision done to prevent future recurrence.

2.    Corticosteroid injections for inflamed zits

Sebaceous cysts are generally small and may not cause any problem at all. However, if they cause you discomfort, they are likely to be inflamed.

A doctor may prescribe certain injections to help relieve the inflammation. Normally, according to Buddy MD, a synthetic steroid such as Triamcinolone acetonide is used to reduce the inflammation. Corticosteroid injections are also enough to relieve you of the inflammation though.

3.    Surgery to remove bumps

Any bump that might be big to medium sized might have to be removed surgically. This is especially done to get rid of hard and growing bumps. A small surgical incision may be done on the surface of the skin of your scrotal sack to help remove pus or sebum, or even blood.

If such kind of surgery does not solve the problem, complete surgical removal may also be done prevent the raised pimple from coming back or growing back. A deep comedone on the skin around the scrotum may also require surgical removal.

4.    Fungal medications to treat jock itch bumps

If the pimples occur because of jock itch, you might need to get fungal medications. According to MedicineNet, keeping the groin very clean is one of the ways to cure acne on scrotum. However, that will entirely depend on the cause. Two kinds of medications are advised for treating and getting rid of the bumps.

• Antifungal creams that are applied for up to four weeks to get rid of fungal jock itch
• Zinc oxide ointments are also recommended as a treatment which will help get rid of excess moisture around the groin to help stop jock itch from spreading.

Home remedies

Natural treatments are also a way to get rid of scrotal bumps, acne and zits. Here’s how to get rid of white pimples and red pimples on scrotum naturally.

• Clean the scrotum area as well as the skin around your genitals with antibacterial solution. This can help get rid of dead cells that are likely to the cause of acne and pimples from clogged pores.
• Avoid tightly fitting underwear because they increase the risk of contact dermatitis.

It is highly recommended that you see a dermatologist for proper diagnosis and treatment of cystic pimples on the shaft, anus area and scrotal sack skin. The skin around these parts is sensitive and any strong home remedies can easily cause a burn or come with adverse side effects instead of removing the bumps.

Sources, References and Citations

• http://buddymd.com/small-painless-lump-on-the-scrotum-sebaceous-cyst-vs-other-causes-and-management
• http://www.steadyhealth.com/articles/pimple-like-bumps-on-penis-and-testicles
• http://www.simple-remedies.com/mens-health/white-bumps-on-scrotum.html
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fordyce_spots
• http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000964.htm
• http://www.medicinenet.com/jock_itch/page6.htm#what_is_the_treatment_for_jock_itch
• http://www.simple-remedies.com/mens-health/white-bumps-on-scrotum.html