Hirsuties papillaris genitalis (more commonly referred to as 'pearly penile papules', or PPP) is a clinical skin condition of the male genital organs. It is a harmless anatomical variation with no malignant potential, although it can be mistaken for HPV warts by inexperienced doctors. The papules appear as one or several rows of small, flesh-colored, smooth, dome-topped bumps situated circumferentially around the corona (see image) or sulcus of the glans penis. Pearly penile papules are not a sexually transmitted disease and are in fact quite common. Various studies have shown that the incidence may be in the between 8% and 48%, varying with region and whether or not the subjects are circumcised. They tend to be more common in uncircumcised men. Lesions typically are asymptomatic and persist throughout life; however, they gradually may become less noticeable with increased age. Sensitivity may or may not be a problem.
A similar condition - vestibular papillae of the vulva occurs in females, and similarly can be misinterpreted for HPV infection; again, this is not a sexually transmitted disease, but a normal variation on human anatomy.[1]
References
- Sonnex C, Dockerty WG (November 1999). "Pearly penile papules: a common cause of concern". Int J STD AIDS 10 (11): 726–7. doi:. PMID 10563558. http://ijsa.rsmjournals.com/cgi/pmidlookup?view=long&pmid=10563558.
External links
- Hirsuties papillaris genitalis at eMedicine
- DermAtlas—more images
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