What are testicular bumps?
A testicular lump/bump is an abnormal mass that can form in your testicles. The mass, or lump, is a fairly common condition that can have many different causes. Testicular lumps can occur in men, teenage boys, or younger children. They may be located in one or both of your testicles. Testicular lumps are signs of problems with your testicles. They may be caused by an injury, but they can also indicate a serious underlying medical problem.
Bumps on your scrotum can also be a result of various causes within the body. Sebaceous gland (a secretory gland in the body) secrete oily substances known as sebum that keeps the skin smooth and lubricated. In case the secreted sebum accumulates, then a bump may form.
These spots appear as small, red or white bumps on the scrotum skin, that are typically painless. They are considered benign/mild and may require no treatment depending on the causes and the chances of an underlying medical condition.
What do white bumps on the testicles mean?
Spots around your scrotum might appear in different forms including;
- Black
- Red
- White
It is normal to have pimples around the skin and around the genitals. But if you notice white bumps on your testicles, then you ought to be a little bit more cautious. You need to see your doctor as soon as possible. This is because the spot might signify a more serious underlying health condition
Depending on the cause of the bumps, there are various medications available to remedy the condition. Over -the -counter antibiotics might help get rid of the bumps, but if that fails and the bumps do not go away. See your doctor for check up to treat the underlying cause of the infection. For big itchy bumps, your doctor may be required to carry out a surgical procedure.
Causes of small white bumps on scrotum and shaft
1. STD and herpes (HPV)
Herpes simplex is the commonest cause of genital ulceration. It may present with large, deep and painful ulcers on the penis and scrotum, but is always accompanied by mouth ulcers the herpes virus can be spread to other parts of the body within and between persons who are already infected.
Warts or herpes can be directly associated with white spots on testicles sac. The lumps or mass of bumps around the testicular can be less painful but you should evaluate them right away. It is clear that some STDs can cause bumps on the testicles, including genital herpes or genital warts.
Herpes is marked by clusters of small, painful blisters on the genitals. They typically begin as tiny bumps which are usually not painful or itchy on these parts;
- Penis
- Scrotum
- vulva
- anus
Warts often occur in clusters and, if untreated, may grow into large fleshy masses; growth is more rapid in pregnant woman and in people with compromised immune systems.
Early recognition and adequate early treatment with Acyclovir does appear to protect infants from dissemination of infection where this is initially confined to the skin.
In men, untreated the infection can cause epididymitis, inflammation of the reproductive system that may result in fertility problems. A doctor can get rid of smaller warts by freezing them or by burning them off with an acidic chemical depending on the extent and severity of the case.
2. Cancer lumps on balls
In most cases, the first symptom noticed is a lump that develops on one testicle. The lump is often painless but some people notice some pain or discomfort coming from the affected testicle. In most cases, the first symptom noticed is a lump that develops on one testis.
More often than not, the vast majority of testicular lumps and swellings are caused by benign (non-cancerous) conditions that may not need treatment, but it’s important to know what’s normal for you and to see your physician if you notice any changes in your testicles so they can try to identify the cause.
The presence of lumps on the balls grows in stages as follows:
- Painless lump or swelling on either testicle. If detected early, a testicular tumor may be about the size of a pea or a marble, but it can grow much larger. Pain or discomfort, with or without swelling, in a testicle or the scrotum.
- Change in the way a testicle feels or a feeling of heaviness in the scrotum. You could note that one testicle may become more firm than the other testicle. Apart from that, testicular cancer may cause the testicle to grow bigger or to become smaller.
- Dull ache in the lower abdomen or groin
- Sudden buildup of fluid in the scrotum
- Breast tenderness or growth. Although rare, some testicular tumors produce hormones that cause breast tenderness or growth of breast tissue, a condition called gynecomastia.
- Lower back pain, shortness of breath, chest pain, and bloody sputum or phlegm can be symptoms of later-stage testicular cancer.
- Swelling of one or both legs or shortness of breath from a blood clot can be symptoms of testicular cancer. A blood clot in a large vein is called deep venous thrombosis. A blood clot in an artery in the lung is called a pulmonary embolism and causes shortness of breath. For some young or middle-aged men, developing a blood clot may be the first sign of testicular cancer.
Cancer is a killer condition and efforts should always be made to ensure that its progression is kept at bay. This is because it spreads very fast and it kills fast as well. More to that, it requires a lot of money to treat because of the complex therapy procedures to be undertaken.
3. Shaving
Shaving is the easiest and necessary routine hygiene procedures you should consider to undertake. It is a way of removing hair on the scrotum and crotch areas but when it is not done properly, it can cause a lot of ingrown hair on this arrears. The ingrown hairs, in the long run, lead to the presence of bumps on the scrotum housing the testicles. The instrument and methods of shaving should be given much attention.
The bumps caused by ingrown hairs are very different from all the others caused by other conditions including STIs. They present with very different characteristics that can help you mark out the difference. They appear as:
- Pus-filled pimple-like swellings
- A hard irritating bump that may be filled with puss
- Itchy swollen bumps on the crotch area
- Pain around swollen sharp and stiff hair on the scrotum
- Skin darkening
- Embedded hairs on the scrotum suck and crotch
4. Warts
They are contagious, projecting fleshy growth on the external genitals or anus, consisting of fibrous overgrowths covered by a thickened epithelium (outer layer).
They are normally due to sexual contact with a person infected with human papillomavirus (HPV); they are usually benign (non-cancerous), but many subtypes have the potential for malignant (cancerous) change.
The risk factors for warts include:
- Having unprotected sex
- Having unprotected sex with many different people
- Having sex with a person whose sexual history is unknown
- Oral sex raises the risk of genital warts developing in the mouth or throat
- Starting sexual relations at a young age
- Having stress and other viral infections (such as HIV or herpes) at the same time
Just like any other cause, the sight or presence of this condition should raise awareness and need to consult a medical physician for professional advice. Failure would lead to complications whose outcome would not be pleasant at any other time. A doctor would always prescribe the best remedy for the condition.
5. Folliculitis
What is folliculitis?
Folliculitis is the inflammation of hair follicles which may be due to gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus or due to transmission of bacteria during hair plucking while shaving. It will appear as a pimple-like a bump on testicles or penis and is usually caused by an ingrown hair. It looks like a whitehead and often itches.
How does it cause white spots?
White pimples appear in this condition, causing itching initially. If left poorly managed, these spots may worsen into bigger lesions to cause pain along with redness
How can the condition be remedied?
Application of warm compresses is effective in order to relieve pain due to the condition. In severe cases, if the pain and redness do not resolve, antibiotic therapy is usually needed.
Antibacterial over-the-counter medications containing benzoyl peroxide are often used to treat folliculitis, but resistant cases may need antibiotic pills to clear the skin.
Depending on the cause and severity of folliculitis, it may require no treatment and resolve spontaneously, or it may require treatment with powerful antibiotics or other drugs. Good skin hygiene and proper shaving techniques have been shown to prevent folliculitis.
Before any medical procedure is undertaken, proper consultation with a medical practitioner or physician should be sought to point out the condition.
6. Fungal infection/jock itch
Jock itch is caused by fungi called dermatophytes. These microscopic organisms are normal inhabitants of your skin, and stay in check as long as your skin is clean and dry.
It usually begins with mild intermittent itching in the groin. The itching can get worse and become unbearable in some cases. The rash is usually on both sides of the groin and affects the folds.
The rash may become dry, rough, and bumpy, develop pus bumps, or begin to ooze. Sometimes, there is central clearing as the rash spreads outward to the thighs. The itching and rash can spread to the genitals like the penis.
Hard white bumps on scrotum
Bumps may appear on scrotum for a variety of reasons. They can broadly be divided into 2 categories:
- Bumps over the surface of the scrotal skin
- Lumps inside the scrotum sack
When sebaceous glands become visible on the skin, they are called Fordyce spots. These can appear as white bumps which thereafter become hard on the genitalia.
Bumps over the surface of the scrotal skin
The hard white bumps on the scrotum may be as a result of so many causes. We could describe them as:
1. Sebaceous Cysts
Skin that bears hair is kept soft by the oil (sebum) secreted by sebaceous glands. These glands open into the hair follicles and, if blocked, become distended by their own secretions. Eventually, enough sebum accumulates to form a sebaceous cyst which is a smooth, firm nodule in the skin. The cyst contains a white-yellow cheesy material and sometimes has a visible opening onto the skin. Sebaceous cysts frequently become infected particularly in the groin region where bacteria are prevalent.
2. Fordyce Spots
These are visible oil-secreting sebaceous glands that are found in large percentage of the population. These are considered normal structural variant rather than a disease. Sebaceous glands secrete an oily substance called sebum that keeps the skin smooth and lubricated. Fordyce spots appear as small, red or white bumps on the scrotal skin, that are typically painless
Lumps inside the scrotum sack
These come in so many forms and can be seen as below:
1. Spermatocele
Spermatocele is an abnormal cystic growth of the epididymis, a coiled tube on the upper side of the testicle, that transports and stores sperms. This abnormal sac or spermatic cyst contains dead sperm cells and fluid. This usually does not cause pain. It doesn’t usually require treatment. However, it may sometimes grow large and tense. Then it may require surgery.
2. Varicocele
It is an abnormally swollen or knotty varicose vein present along the spermatic cord. Essentially, it’s an enlargement of the veins that drain the testicles.
Usually, it doesn’t produce any symptoms. Rarely may it produce pain that may be perceived as dull discomfort or heaviness. It may increase on prolonged standing or later in a day after exertion. It may get relieved after rest.
Mostly varicocele doesn’t require any treatment. If the pain is mild then it may get relieved by resting lying on your back. You may also take pain medications. If the pain is severe or accompanied by swelling or infertility problem, then you may need to undergo a surgery.
3. Hematocele
Hematocele is a collection of blood in the pouch. It occurs after surgery or injury involving this area. It may also get consolidated and become hard with time. There may be some discomfort as well.
If it is small and painless, then foot elevation and bed rest may be sufficient. In such a case, surgery is performed to drain the accumulated blood. Ultrasound is done to diagnose the type of swelling.
4. Hydrocele
It is a sac filled with fluid around the testicle. It usually leads to a smooth and uniform enlargement of the scrotum.
5. Epididymitis
Epididymitis is a pain and inflammation of a curved and coiled structure at the back of testicle called epididymis. It normally stores and carries sperms.
6. An Inguinal Hernia
An inguinal hernia occurs when there is a protrusion of abdominal contents through a weak area in the abdominal wall that passes via an inguinal canal (groin) into the scrotum.
7. Testicular Torsion
Testicular torsion occurs when the testicle rotates and twists the spermatic cord through which it is suspended. This results in cutting off the blood supply to the testes and consequent necrosis/death.
8. Injury to the Scrotum
An injury may also lead to the swelling due to oozing of fluid and blood at the site of trauma.
9. Tumors
Testes sometimes is affected with an abnormal growth of tissue due to tumor or cancer.
Management
- Clean the scrotum area as well as the skin around your genitals with an 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.
Itchy white bumps on scrotum
Itching in the area of the penis or external genital organs occurs for many of the same reasons that itching occurs elsewhere on the body. Infections, that include those that cause sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are all also contributors.
White itchy bumps may indicate some medical conditions that include:
Genital herpes
It is caused by a type of the herpes simplex virus (HSV) that enters your body through small breaks in your skin or mucous membranes. The genital signs and symptoms include:
- Small red bumps, blisters (vesicles) or open sores (ulcers) in the genital, anal and nearby areas
- Pain or itching around the genital area, buttocks and inner thighs
The initial symptom of genital herpes usually is pain or itching, beginning within a few weeks after exposure to an infected sexual partner. After several days, small red bumps may appear. They then rupture, becoming ulcers that ooze or bleed. Eventually, scabs form and the ulcers heal.
Genital warts.
This condition shows some symptoms that enable it to be pointed out:
- Small, flesh-colored or gray swellings in your genital area
- Several warts close together that take on a cauliflower shape
- Itching or discomfort in your genital area
- Bleeding with intercourse
Jock itch
This term is used to refer to an inflammation and irritation of the groin area, may spread to the penis and scrotum then result in itching of the skin of the penis and scrotum.
It is caused by a group of fungi called dermatophytes. These fungi naturally live on your skin and do not cause problems. However, when you remain in sweat-soaked clothes after exercising, the lengthy exposure to moisture can allow the fungi to multiply quickly. When you have an overgrowth of dermatophytes in your groin area, it causes the infection known as jock itch.
The fungi that cause jock itch are highly contagious. You may get the fungal infection through close personal contact with an infected person or through contact with the unwashed clothing of an infected person.
This condition is associated with:
- Excess moisture and sweating
- Tight underwear
- Rubbing and friction of skin
- Fungal infection
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Long-term use of corticosteroids
- Improper hygiene of groin area
STD
Sexually transmitted disease could also be a cause of testicular bumps. Though not always, bumps on the testicles might be as a result of STDs such as Herpes, with pimples on the scrotum as the major symptom. It hard for you to tell whether it is a genital wart or a pimple, that’s is why you are advised to seek the attention of your doctor as soon as possible.
Scrotum Eczema or Dermatitis
It is characterized by severe burning-like itching, redness, scaling, and thickening of the scrotal skin. The common causes of scrotum eczema or dermatitis include allergens, irritants, and stress.
Management of this situation
- Keep the groins clean and dry.
- Wash the area frequently with soap and water. This should be done after any work that involves sweating.
- Wear loose cotton underwear; avoid tight-fitting clothes.
- You may need a topical antifungal cream such as miconazole, clotrimazole or tolnaftate- as deemed suitable by your physician. If scrotum rash doesn’t go away in 2 weeks, then you may need to see a dermatologist.
References
- http://www.steadyhealth.com/topics/problem-with-bumps-on-scrotum
- http://www.medicinenet.com/folliculitis/article.htm
- http://www.healthline.com/health/testicle-lump#Overview1
- http://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/testicular-cancer/symptoms-and-signs
- http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sexually-transmitted-diseases-stds/in-depth/std-symptoms/art-20047081?pg=2
- http://www.medicinenet.com/penile_itching/symptoms.htm
