For some men, the smell of the penis is a minor inconvenience; For others, it is a major issue that affects their self-esteem and has the potential to derail an otherwise promising relationship. There are numerous reasons why a man may smell like a penis. One of the lesser known causes is something called axillary trichobacteriosis, or often just trichobacteriosis.

A strange name

Trichobacteriosis is a mouthful, to say the least. As Wikipedia puts it, it is “a superficial bacterial colonization of the hair shafts in areas that contain sweat glands, such as the armpits and groin.” It is similar to another condition, called trichomycosis, but trichomycosis is caused by a fungal infection rather than a bacterial infection.

So what does all this mean? Basically, when a man has trichobacteriposis in the groin, it means that a particular type of bacteria (called Corynebacteria, for those who keep track of such things) has gone a bit wild. It most often presents as nodules or waxy masses along the axes of the pubic hair or sometimes on the skin near the base of the pubic hair. These nodules or masses tend to be yellowish, although they can sometimes be red or black. Often times, it appears that many strands of pubic hair have developed a semi-sticky wax “second skin”. These masses or nodules are produced by all the excess bacteria that have invaded the area.

Smell of penis

And where does the smell of penis come in? When a man sweats, these bacteria are metabolized into testosterone to create a very strong musty odor. The more a man sweats and the more bacteria there is, the stronger the smell of the penis. In some cases, the smell can be overwhelming. Men with trichobacteriosis often develop sweat stains that cause a yellowish discoloration of affected clothing. (Although this article is about trichobacteriosis on the penis, it is also often found in the armpits, and often a man with it in one area has it in both areas. Therefore, discolored armpits on shirts can be a sign that the penis is also affected.)

Men who sweat a lot and / or men who do not practice proper hygiene are among those most at risk of developing trichobacteriosis. The responsible bacterium is itself a common one.

Treatment

Trichobacteriosis is a benign condition that does not cause physical harm to a person. But due to the strong penis odor it can cause, sometimes accompanied by itchy penis, it is recommended that men with the problem treat it.

The first step in treatment is usually to shave the affected area. In general, it is more effective to shave the skin rather than just trim. The area should remain clean and shaved for a period of 2 to 4 weeks. During that time, the area should be thoroughly washed regularly. Thorough scrubbing of the area while washing is believed to help better reach and kill bacteria.

After the hair grows back, men should wash the area regularly and may also want to keep it shaved. It may be helpful to “air the area” by spending at least an hour a day naked. Some men find that sleeping naked helps to ventilate the penis effectively.

The fight against trichobacteriosis can help to overcome the odor of the penis, and the fight can be enhanced if a man regularly applies a top-class penis health cream. (Health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven to be gentle and safe for the skin). It is important that the cream you choose contains vitamin A. Also known as retinol, vitamin A is a natural antibacterial agent that helps combat persistent penile odor (while also helping to combat unsightly blemishes). It also helps if the cream has a powerful antioxidant, such as alpha lipoic acid. This helps destroy excess free radicals that can weaken the skin of the penis through oxidative stress.