Differential Diagnosis for White Skin on the Penis
- Single most likely diagnosis
- Dry skin (xerosis): This is a common condition that can cause white, flaky, or scaly skin on the penis due to moisture loss, irritation, or environmental factors. It's often benign and treatable with moisturizers.
- Other Likely diagnoses
- Eczema (atopic dermatitis): A chronic skin condition characterized by itchy, inflamed skin that can appear white or light due to scratching and skin thickening.
- Psoriasis: An autoimmune condition causing thick, scaly, white patches on the skin, including the genital area.
- Lichen sclerosus: A rare skin condition that creates patchy, white skin that's thinner than normal, often affecting the genital and anal areas.
- Contact dermatitis: Skin inflammation caused by contact with irritants or allergens, leading to redness, itching, and possibly white skin patches.
- Do Not Miss (ddxs that may not be likely, but would be deadly if missed.)
- Lichen planus: An autoimmune condition that can cause white, lacy patches on the skin and mucous membranes, potentially leading to scarring and increased cancer risk if left untreated.
- Squamous cell carcinoma: A type of skin cancer that can appear as white or discolored patches on the penis, requiring prompt medical attention.
- Extramammary Paget's disease: A rare skin cancer that can cause white, scaly patches on the genital area, often associated with an underlying adenocarcinoma.
- Rare diagnoses
- Vitiligo: A condition causing loss of skin pigment, potentially resulting in white patches on the penis, although this is less common in the genital area.
- Scleroderma: A chronic autoimmune disease that can cause skin thickening and hardening, potentially leading to white, tight skin on the penis.
- Leukoplakia: A condition characterized by white patches on mucous membranes, including the genital area, which can be precancerous if left untreated.