Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Genital skin lesions
Introduction
Genital skin lesions can be anything from simple irritation to a sexually transmitted disease to a malignancy. History and physical examination are critical for appropriate diagnosis
Differential Diagnosis
Differential Diagnosis
In alphabetical order. [1] [2]
- Behcet syndrome
- Candida Intertrigo
- Chancroid
- Condyloma Acuminatum
- Erythrasma
- Extramammary Paget’s disease
- Fixed drug eruptions
- Genital Squamous Cell Carcinoma
- Granuloma Inguinale
- Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV)
- HIV
- Inverse Psoriasis
- Lichen Planus
- Lymphogranuloma Venereum
- Molluscum Contagiosum
- Plaque Psoriasis
- Scabies
- Seborrheic Dermatitis
- Syphilis
- Tinea Cruris
- Zoon’s plasma cell balanitis
Diagnosis
Diagnosis
History and Symptoms
- Appearance of lesion
- Description of change in lesion
- Presence of pain and/or itching
- Sexual history
Physical Examination
- Complete skin and genital examinations
Laboratory Findings
- Viral culture
- Tzanck test
- Rapid plasma reagin (RPR)
- Venereal Disease Research Laboratory test (VDRL)
- Fluorescent treponemal antibody absorbed (FTA-ABS)
- Culture or Gram stain
- HIV workup
- Syphilis workup
- Pregnancy test
- Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C workup
Other Diagnostic Studies
- Biopsy
- Shaved biopsy
Treatment
Treatment
- Cool baths
- Podophyllin
- Cryotherapy
- Cantherone
- Trichloroacetic acid
- Laser (ablate lesions)
Acute Pharmacotherapies
- Antivirals
- Acetaminophen
- Nonsteriodal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- Topical immunotherapy
- Topical or oral antifungals
- Antibiotics
- Topical steroids
Surgery and Device Based Therapy
- Biopsies (after topical therapy)
- Surgical removal of lesions
References
References
Acknowledgements
Acknowledgements
The content on this page was first contributed by
List of contributors:
Suggested Reading and Key General References
Suggested Reading and Key General References
Suggested Links and Web Resources
Suggested Links and Web Resources
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]