Even men who are not embarrassed can easily get a little flushed when they have dry penis skin in view for others, especially their bed partners, to see. In most cases, taking some careful measures for penile health can alleviate the problem in a short time, but sometimes the cause of dry penis skin can be more difficult to treat. That may be the case when the culprit for dry skin is a condition called ichthyosis.

What is it?

In reality, ichthyosis is not just a condition; is the name of a group of skin diseases. There are 28 skin diseases that fall under the classification “ichthyosis,” most of which are genetic, meaning that a person inherits them rather than “catches” them from someone else (or something).

All forms of ichthyosis are characterized by dry skin; in many cases, it is also cracked, flaky, or flaky. (Ichthyosis is derived from a Greek word for “fish,” primarily because some forms of the disease cause the skin to become exceptionally scaly.)

But just because a man has ichthyosis does not automatically mean that his penis resembles a creature from the Black Lagoon. There can be a great variation in the degree of severity from one type of ichthyosis to another and from one person to another. In fact, the most common form, ichthyosis vulgaris, is generally very mild and often indistinguishable from common everyday dry skin.

Symptoms

The symptoms of ichthyosis are familiar to anyone with dry skin. There is often itching, redness, cracking, and dryness. In severe cases, blisters and infections are common. Fortunately, severe cases are relatively rare, and most of the time they do not manifest directly on the penis.

If a man has ichthyosis that is affecting his penis, it is most likely similar to the normal dry skin on the penis. However, while the dry skin on the penis tends to disappear with treatment, ichthyosis can create a more persistent dryness on the skin of the penis. This is because the genetic nature of most ichthyosis cases means that a person tends to treat the symptoms rather than the disease itself. Because of this, dry penis skin due to ichthyosis tends to require more regular and consistent treatment to keep dryness at bay.

Treatment

Except in severe cases, treatment generally requires keeping the skin hydrated. People with dry skin should drink a lot of water, especially on hot days when they have been sweating or when they have been in areas with a lot of air conditioning. (Air conditioning can dry out the skin.) They should also ensure that the soaps and detergents used are mild and do not contain harsh ingredients that can aggravate dry skin problems.

With dry penis skin, whether due to ichthyosis or not, men should regularly use a top-notch penis health cream. (Health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven to be gentle and safe for the skin). The best creams can significantly aid the continued hydration of the member. For example, a cream that contains a combination of a high-end emollient (such as shea butter) and a natural moisturizing agent (such as vitamin E) can create a “moisture lock” that combats dry penis skin and keeps flexible and elastic. It also helps if the cream contains a variety of other vitamins (such as A, B5, C, and D) and a powerful antioxidant (such as alpha lipoic acid), as they all work together to ensure the continued health of the delicate skin of the penis. Alpha lipoic acid is known to help fight free radicals, which cause oxidative stress and can severely traumatize the skin of the penis, adding to dry skin problems. Using a penis health cream is rigor for any man whose penis skin needs help.