The skin on a person’s penis is particularly sensitive, and dry skin may cause discomfort. A person may develop dry skin on their penis skin for many reasons, including unlubricated sex or masturbation, chafing clothes, and use of harsh soaps.

For most medically aware men, their first reaction to dry penis skin is panic. Especially considering the plethora of visibly frightening symptoms, like redness, a rash, itching, flaking, or peeling, and fine lines or cracks on the skin that may even bleed.

The most common cause of dry skin on the penis or a dry penis head is lack of care when masturbating or having sexual intercourse. The penis is delicate; its skin is softer than any other skin on the body and it has many nerve endings and capillaries. All of which make sex that much more pleasurable. Therefore, rubbing the penis against clothing, not using adequate lubrication when masturbating or having anal or vaginal sex, and coming into contact with genital stubble, can cause penile skin to dry and become flaky.

Other typical causes of dry penis skin include: allergies, dermatitis, psoriasis, eczema. On rare occasions, a STD may be responsible for making the penis skin dry, but usually other symptoms will become apparent.

Dry penile skin may appear on the penis head and shaft after rough sexual activity. In addition, red patches and cracks may even become visible on the skin and the penis may be painful to touch.

Allergies, dermatitis, psoriasis, and eczema share similar symptoms, such as dry patches on penis that may be flaky and itchy. On occasions, the penis may feel as though it is hot and burning with visible inflammation. The skin may also crack and weep, and be itchy.

Apart from making the penis skin dry, candida causes the penis to become red, inflamed and itchy. In fact, the itch is so insatiable that it will be hard to ignore. A discharge from the eye of the penis may also be noticed.

Typically STDs have many other symptoms that make them stand out from common causes of dry penile skin. These include blisters, bumps, sores, unusual colored discharge from the eye of the penis, and an unpleasant odor and pain when urinating.

If the dry skin on your penis is caused by a yeast infection, you should abstain from sexual activity until the infection has been cleared. That’s because yeast infections are contagious, so you could spread the infection to your sexual partner. It’s not dangerous to have sex when you have dry skin on your penis if it’s not caused by a yeast infection, but it may be uncomfortable.

Dry skin on the penis is not typically a sign of a serious condition. Common causes are allergies to chemicals in soap or detergent, too much friction, psoriasis, or eczema.

If a person experiences dry skin on the penis and does not know the cause, they should see their doctor. It is particularly important to see a doctor if dry skin on the penis occurs alongside other symptoms.

Making lifestyle changes may help to prevent dry patches on the penis from coming back. For example, a person can try reducing the use of personal soaps, changing washing detergent, and using lubricant during sex or masturbation.