Horncup, Horncup - Causes, Symptoms and Removal

Warts like the penis
The term "horn tip", occasionally "horn tip" (lat. Hirsuties papillaris penis or hirsuties papillaris coronae glandis), wart-like structures are designated which have a whitish, skin-colored or reddish color and occur from the glans edge to the foreskin tape of the penis can. It is often thought to be classic warts or a sexually transmitted disease, or is due to a lack of hygiene. However, this is not correct, because the small papules are just an evolutionary remnant (atavism), much like a strong body hair. Accordingly, they are neither dangerous nor contagious, but can at most be inherited.

contents

• Symptoms of hornbill
• Cause of Hornzipfelchen
• treatment options
• Removal of horn tips
• Help with problems caused by horn tips

Symptoms of hornbill

Horn tips are usually in the form of small, up to a few millimeters long pimple-like changes in the cornucopia at the edge of the glans or the transition between glans and penile shaft. The horn-tips from the outside are often reminiscent of small warts and can be either white, skin-colored or reddish. In rarer cases, they can also occur as small flesh-colored or white dots on the glans.

Horn tips are reminiscent of warts. (Image: roblan / fotolia.com)

The small raised nodules or Hautstückchen are typically arranged in rows ("papillae"), with up to three rows from the glans edge to the foreskin tape can occur. The expression can be quite different: In part, they occur in the form of fewer, smaller, barely recognizable points, in other cases, in turn, their number may amount to a few hundred.

About 10 to 20% of men are affected by the phenomenon. They usually arise during the period of puberty. In circumcised men, the skin lesions occur less frequently, and there is no complete scientific explanation for this phenomenon.

In very rare cases, similar skin changes also occur in women, which are called "hirsuties papillaris vulvae". In these cases, the female tip occurs in the area of ​​the external female genitals (vulva) or in the area of ​​the vaginal vestibule, the so-called "vestibulum vaginae", the slit-shaped space between the labia minora. In contrast to genital warts, which occur unstructured distribution, the papillae are arranged here rather symmetrical, moreover, they are usually colored pink women without whitish spots. In many mammals Zipfel are a very pronounced phenomenon, as they act as adhesive organelles during sexual intercourse.

Cause of Hornzipfelchen

The small wart-like papules are not - as is often assumed - a sexually transmitted disease, a malformation or the result of a lack of hygiene. Likewise, they are not a symptom of viral diseases such as genital warts, genital warts or human papilloma virus (HPV) infection..

However, these assumptions are not true, because the skin lesions represent only a harmless "atavism". This is a developmental remnant meant, which was previously known only by past generations, such as the hair on the back or the whole body. Correspondingly, hornbill can be inherited in principle, but are not dangerous or contagious.

Horn tips have nothing to do with a lack of hygiene. (Image: Anastasia / fotolia.com)

treatment options

Since there is no (contagion) danger from the corners, there is usually no medical need to remove them. They are considered as "anatomical variation" and as so-called "normal findings". It is different, however, when the wart-like changes in the skin by physical stimuli such as pressure, heat or cold ignite and thereby swelling, bleeding or sensory disturbances occur - because then there is a medical indication for removal.

Removal of horn tips

Even though they are not a problem from a medical point of view, many men feel disturbed or sexually impaired by the warty lesions, for example because the partner is insecure or makes derogatory remarks. Similarly, the skin lesions can be seen as unpleasant in a strong expression - accordingly, a removal from cosmetic aspects for sufferers with severe suffering quite a sensible option.

The procedure is usually done by means of a laser, alternatively there is the possibility of an "electrocauterization" in which alternating current is passed through the body at a high frequency in order to remove the horn tips individually and selectively. Both treatments usually do not cause pain. Slight discomfort can only occur during anesthesia with an anesthetic ointment, which makes the affected areas insensitive.

If the tips are very small, should be waived in the opinion of experts on a laser treatment rather - because in such a case, the effort usually exceeds the benefits. Especially possible complications and remaining scars should be considered in such an intervention.

Since there is usually no medical need for removal, the cost of treatment must be borne by the patient himself. The costs per laser treatment amount to about 300 Euro, but in some cases they grow again after the treatment, so that a new intervention is necessary.

If the small papules for the person concerned become a problem, there is the possibility to remove them. (Image: vchalup / fotolia.com)

Due to the typical appearance in the form of rows of raised small nodules or pieces of skin a confusion with other phenomena such as the "Fordyce glands" (free sebaceous glands on the penile skin) or the contagious genital warts is hardly possible. However, since a confusion with so-called "molluscum" on the penis shaft (molluscum contagiosum) as well as the skin changes in the sexually transmitted infectious disease syphilis is quite possible, in case of doubt always a dermatologist should be consulted.

Help with problems caused by horn tips

Horn tips may be a big problem for men, because especially with sexual contacts, it can quickly lead to uncertainties or misunderstandings, such as when the small wart-like skin pieces are mistaken for a sexually transmitted disease. A strong expression can be problematic, for example, because the person concerned is uncertain whether it is perhaps not "something serious" behind it or difficulties arise in terms of dealing with their own body and sexuality.

Accordingly, in case of uncertainties or questions of any kind, a dermatologist should always be consulted. In addition, sufferers should keep in mind that this is not an infectious, dangerous disease and an open discussion with the partner often helps to clarify uncertainties and misunderstandings.

However, it is not recommended to self-treat, for example with conventional wart remedies with salicylic acid. This can quickly irritate and damage the sensitive genital mucous membrane and thereby lead to inflammation and severe pain. (nr, updated on 27.10.2017)
Specialist supervision: Barbara Schindewolf-Lensch (doctor)