penile psoriasis

Last reviewed 01/2018

  • about 2% of the population have psoriasis
  • anogenital skin (sacrum, buttocks, pubic mound and penis) is a common, and sometimes the only, site of psoriasis
    • usually psoriasis is not itchy
  • diagnosis is usually clinical
    • biopsy is occasionally required for solitary mucosal lesions in uncircumcised patients when Zoon‘s balanitis, Bowen’s disease and extramammary Paget’s disease cannot be excluded
  • Treatment
    • options for treatment include topical corticosteroids, weak tar preparations and topical vitamin D analogues
    • systemic treatment (methotrexate or ciclosporin) may occasionally be indicated for treatment of severe anogenital psoriasis

Reference:

  1. Bunker C B. Male genital dermatology. London: Saunders, 2004.