Penile Melanosis: Causes and Risk Factors
The cause of Penile Melanosis is unknown. However, it may be related to sun exposure or other environmental factors such as smoking.
There are no known effective treatments for Penile Melanosis. However, there are various lifestyle changes that can reduce your risk of developing this condition.
How do I Know if My Skin Is at Risk?
There are several ways to tell whether your skin is at risk of developing Penile Melanosis. You need to determine how likely it is that you will develop this condition based on these criteria:
1) Your Age : If you have a high school diploma or less, then chances are that you are not at risk for Penile Melanosis.
However, if you have a college degree or higher, then chances are that you are at risk.
2) Your Family History : If one member in your family has had Penile Melanosis, then chances are that you too will develop this condition.
(If two members in your family have had Penile Melanosis, then odds are that both of them will develop this condition. However, if only one member of your family has had Penile Melanosis, then you may or may not develop this condition.
Also, if three or more members in your family have had Penile Melanosis, then you are certain to develop this condition.)
3) Your Gender : If you are a man, chances are that you are at risk for developing Penile Melanosis.
However, if you are a woman, then chances are that you are not at risk.
4) Your Past : If you have spent excessive time outdoors in the sunlight and/or have a history of heavy smoking, then chances are that you too will develop this condition.
(If two or more members in your family have suffered from heavy smoking, then odds are that both of them will develop this condition. However, if only one member in your family has had a history of heavy smoking, then you may or may not develop this condition.
Also, if three or more members in your family have suffered from heavy smoking, then you are certain to develop this condition.)
5) Your Body Type : If you are of lighter skin complexion and do not have any darker-colored spots on your back or arms, then chances are that you are not at risk of developing Penile Melanosis.
However, if you are of darker skin complexion and/or have any dark-colored spots on your back or arms, then chances are that you too will develop this condition. (If two or more members in your family have lighter skin complexions, then odds are that both of them will develop this condition.
However, if only one member has a lighter skin complexion, then you may or may not develop this condition.
Sources & references used in this article:
Penile melanosis by J Revuz, T Clerici – Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 1989 – Elsevier
Penile melanosis successfully treated with the Q‐switched ruby laser by TA Delaney, NPJ Walker – British Journal of Dermatology, 1994 – Wiley Online Library
Pigmented penile macules by M Mahto, PD Woolley… – International journal of …, 2004 – journals.sagepub.com
Penile lentiginosis by A Kaporis, Y Lynfield – Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 1998 – jaad.org
Vulvar melanosis by RI Rudolph – Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 1990 – Elsevier
