Penis Bumps - Unusual Causes: Understanding Fabry Disease

By John Dugan

When a dude is focusing on penis health, he needs to spend some time giving himself a physical examination. This involves both looking at and feeling the organ, in order to determine if there are any new penis bumps, rashes, scars, cuts or other issues which may need to be addressed. In the realm of penis bumps, it's surprising - and some might say disturbing - the number of things that can be responsible for those bumps. One of the rarer - but often longer-lasting - of these causes is called Fabry disease.

About Fabry disease

The National Institute of Health (NIH) says that Fabry disease is "an inherited disorder that results from the buildup of a particular type of fat, called globotriaosylceramide, in the body's cells." This genetic disorder is, fortunately, not common; its incidence is approximately 1 in every 40,000-60,000 males; it is even less common among females. It often occurs early in life, usually between 5 and 10 years of age; however, there are cases of it occurring much later in life. In general, late-onset cases are milder than early-onset ones.

There are numerous symptoms associated with Fabry disease. These include:

- Pain (often searing), typically in the hands and feet. This often is worse after exercising or physical exertion.

- Vision and hearing issues.

- Hypohidrosis, which is an inability to sweat at the level that the body needs.

- Gastrointestinal issues.

- Small dark red or blue-black bumps, which appear in clusters on the torso and upper legs.

It's the last-named symptom which is the focus of this article. These dark red clusters can appear in numerous places, and that includes presenting as penis bumps.

The penis bumps

These bumps - often called angiokeratomas - typically don't appear on the penis until adolescence. (They also are likely to appear on the scrotum and on the buttocks, as well as on areas between the penis and the buttocks.)

In most instances, the penis bumps do not itch or burn - which is a relief. But some men find them very unattractive and worry that they can be off-putting to potential partners.

The angiokeratomas -whether in the penis or elsewhere on the body - can last for a long time. Treatment of Fabry disease can help clear these up, but sometimes doctors recommend other methods to remove the bumps. These include a laser surgery option, as well as cryotherapy or electronic treatment.

Treating the Fabry disease itself is important, even if other methods are used to directly address the penis bumps. The most common treatment is enzyme replacement therapy, which helps replace the missing enzyme (globotriaosylceramide).

One of the other penis-related side effects of Fabry can be erectile dysfunction. This is because the disease can sometimes cause blood vessels to narrow. When this occurs in the penis, it is not able to get enough volume of blood when an erection is called for. Without a freely open and unblocked blood vessel, the erection will be diminished.

Diagnosing Fabry disease can be difficult, and some people go undiagnosed into adulthood. A man who has clusters of penis bumps should discuss this with his doctor -especially if he has clusters elsewhere on the body or exhibits any of the other common symptoms.

Fortunately, penis bumps from Fabry disease do not itch or burn - but other penis bumps may. Often using a top flight    penis health cr�me (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven mild and safe for skin) can help soothe an afflicted penis. It's best to find a cr�me that includes both a high end emollient (shea butter is an excellent choice) and a natural hydrator (such as vitamin E). This combination provides a "moisture lock" which helps hydrate penis skin, providing soothing relief. The cr�me should also contain alpha lipoic acid, which, as a potent antioxidant, strengthens penis skin by battling excess free radicals.

Visit www.menshealthfirst.com for more information about treating common penis health problems, including soreness, redness and loss of penis sensation. John Dugan is a professional writer who specializes in men's health issues and is an ongoing contributing writer to numerous online web sites.