If you're worried, see a doctor or visit a local sexual health clinic.

What is this lump on my penis? 

These are small flesh-coloured lumps normally found on the head of the penis. They usually go all the way around the penis head in 1 or 2 rows. These lumps are normal. They're not sexually transmitted or caused by bad hygiene. They don't cause symptoms and don't require treatment. ::: body-ad-desktop zones:: 232632,232515,232640 types:: 163 disclaimer:: AD typeFilter:: native_ad adCount:: 1 ::: ::: body-ad-mobile zones:: 232632,232515,232642 types:: 5,163 disclaimer:: ADVERTISEMENT typeFilter:: display/native_ad adCount:: 1 :::

Pearly penile papules 

Fordyce spots are small yellowish or white spots on the head or shaft of the penis. Fordyce spots are sebaceous glands (tiny glands found near the surface of your skin) without hair follicles. They can also appear on the inside of the cheeks or on the lips, and are present in 80 to 95% of adults. Fordyce spots are generally harmless and don't need treatment. ::: body-ad-mobile zones:: 232632,232515,233460 types:: 5 disclaimer:: ADVERTISEMENT typeFilter:: display adCount:: 1 :::

Fordyce spots 

This is a hard swelling that suddenly appears on the shaft of the penis after sex or masturbation. It happens when the lymph channels in your penis are temporarily blocked. Lymph is a clear fluid that forms part of the body's immune system. The swelling should soon subside and won't cause any permanent problems. ::: body-ad-mobile zones:: 232632,232515,245869 types:: 5 disclaimer:: ADVERTISEMENT typeFilter:: display adCount:: 1 :::

Lymphocele

<a href="/skin-changes/lichen-planus">Lichen planus</a> is a non-infectious itchy rash of purple-red bumps that can affect many areas of the body, including the penis. ::: body-ad-mobile zones:: 232632,232515,245870 types:: 5 disclaimer:: ADVERTISEMENT typeFilter:: display adCount:: 1 :::

Lichen planus

<a href="/human-papillomavirus/genital-warts">Genital warts</a> are small fleshy growths or bumps that can appear on the shaft, and sometimes head, of the penis or under the foreskin. They're caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV), which is a <a href="/sexually-transmitted-infections">sexually transmitted infection (STI)</a>.

Genital warts 

A painful blister or sore on your penis could be caused by <a href="/herpes">herpes</a>, which is an STI caused by the herpes simplex virus. A painless sore or ulcer on your penis could be caused by <a href="/sexually-transmitted-infections/syphilis">syphilis (another STI)</a>.

Sores or ulcers 

Peyronie's disease is an uncommon condition that causes a thickened area or hard lump (plaque) in the shaft of the penis. This can cause the penis to become curved when it's erect.

Peyronie's disease 

<a href="/childrens-health/molluscum-contagiosum">Molluscum contagiosum</a> is a viral skin infection. It causes small firm, raised spots on the skin, which usually form in little clusters. They can affect the penis and general groin area, in which case it's considered an STI.

Molluscum contagiosum 

<a href="/penis-cancer">Penile cancer</a> is a rare type of cancer that can cause a sore or lump on the penis, most commonly on the head of the penis.

Cancer of the penis 



If you're worried, see a doctor or visit a local sexual health clinic.

## Pearly penile papules 

These are small flesh-coloured lumps normally found on the head of the penis. They usually go all the way around the penis head in 1 or 2 rows.

These lumps are normal. They're not sexually transmitted or caused by bad hygiene. They don't cause symptoms and don't require treatment.


::: body-ad-desktop
zones:: 232632,232515,232640
types:: 163
disclaimer:: AD
typeFilter:: native_ad
adCount:: 1

:::


::: body-ad-mobile
zones:: 232632,232515,232642
types:: 5,163
disclaimer:: ADVERTISEMENT
typeFilter:: display/native_ad
adCount:: 1

:::

## Fordyce spots 

Fordyce spots are small yellowish or white spots on the head or shaft of the penis. Fordyce spots are sebaceous glands (tiny glands found near the surface of your skin) without hair follicles.

They can also appear on the inside of the cheeks or on the lips, and are present in 80 to 95% of adults. Fordyce spots are generally harmless and don't need treatment.


::: body-ad-mobile
zones:: 232632,232515,233460
types:: 5
disclaimer:: ADVERTISEMENT
typeFilter:: display
adCount:: 1

:::

## Lymphocele

This is a hard swelling that suddenly appears on the shaft of the penis after sex or masturbation.

It happens when the lymph channels in your penis are temporarily blocked. Lymph is a clear fluid that forms part of the body's immune system.

The swelling should soon subside and won't cause any permanent problems.


::: body-ad-mobile
zones:: 232632,232515,245869
types:: 5
disclaimer:: ADVERTISEMENT
typeFilter:: display
adCount:: 1

:::

## Lichen planus

[Lichen planus](/skin-changes/lichen-planus) is a non-infectious itchy rash of purple-red bumps that can affect many areas of the body, including the penis.


::: body-ad-mobile
zones:: 232632,232515,245870
types:: 5
disclaimer:: ADVERTISEMENT
typeFilter:: display
adCount:: 1

:::

## Genital warts 

[Genital warts](/human-papillomavirus/genital-warts) are small fleshy growths or bumps that can appear on the shaft, and sometimes head, of the penis or under the foreskin.

They're caused by the human papilloma virus (HPV), which is a [sexually transmitted infection (STI)](/sexually-transmitted-infections).

## Sores or ulcers 

A painful blister or sore on your penis could be caused by [herpes](/herpes), which is an STI caused by the herpes simplex virus.

A painless sore or ulcer on your penis could be caused by [syphilis (another STI)](/sexually-transmitted-infections/syphilis).

## Peyronie's disease 

Peyronie's disease is an uncommon condition that causes a thickened area or hard lump (plaque) in the shaft of the penis. This can cause the penis to become curved when it's erect.

## Molluscum contagiosum 

[Molluscum contagiosum](/childrens-health/molluscum-contagiosum) is a viral skin infection. It causes small firm, raised spots on the skin, which usually form in little clusters.

They can affect the penis and general groin area, in which case it's considered an STI.

## Cancer of the penis 

[Penile cancer](/penis-cancer) is a rare type of cancer that can cause a sore or lump on the penis, most commonly on the head of the penis.

error

 There was an error when submitting your feedback – have a screen break then try again in a few minutes.

Oh no, something’s gone wrong

ANY COMMENTS OR SUGGESTIONS?

initial

This isn’t helpful

This isn’t relevant

Something is wrong

This isn’t accurate

Please select one.

loading

success

We're listening – we use your feedback to improve your experience, and make our content more helpful.

Thank you for your feedback

References

All of Healthily's articles undergo medical safety checks to verify that the information is medically safe. View more details in our <a href="/safety" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">safety page</a>, or read our <a href="/legal/editorial-policy-principles" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">editorial policy</a>.

Article information

Worried about a spot, lump or growth on your penis? Learn about what some of the causes might be here - using content verified by certified doctors.