University GuideFree competitionsStudent EntertainmentStudent NewsStudent TV Media ChannelFree Student StuffStudent Jobs & CareersStudent FinanceStudent AccommodationStudent Humour & JokesStudent ForumStudent Members
Students UK > Student Health > Student guide to lumps and bumps
Student Poll
How often do you upgrade your mobile phone?
Every 6 months
Every 12 months
More than a year between upgrades
Student Polls
Student Jokes
Man walks into a bar, Ouch!
Humour & Jokes

Student guide to lumps and bumps - Warts

Warts

The skin of the scrotum is usually rough and creased. Small, cauliflower-like, raised lumps may be warts and should be treated by a doctor, usually in a genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinic. Do not attempt to remove them yourself.

Tiny, smooth bumps on the scrotum and shaft of the penis are normal and are simply hair follicles or sweat glands.

These tend to stick out more when the scrotum is tight, as in cold weather, and are particularly noticeable on the erect penis where they cause a disproportionate amount of unnecessary concern.

Hernia

A loop of bowel can protrude through gaps in the abdominal wall and form a swelling or hernia at the join between the thigh and abdomen (inguinal region). In some cases, the hernia may move into the scrotum. Men are much more likely to develop an inguinal hernia than women because of a potential weakness in the abdominal wall at the groin. If a lump in the scrotum is an inguinal hernia, the impulse from a cough may be felt in the scrotum. However, men will often be totally unaware of such a hernia until it becomes very large or if it strangulates (cuts off its blood supply), causing sudden pain.

Learning to lift correctly, keeping active and watching your weight will reduce your risk of a hernia. Once a hernia has developed, a truss will prevent strangulation by keeping the bowel where it belongs, but surgery is invariably the best option.

Hydrocele/varicocele

A soft lump in the scrotum, especially if you can get your fingers between it and the testicle, is most likely to be a hydrocele. This is a collection of sterile fluid in the cord attached to the testicle, which is invariably harmless. Left untreated, a hydrocele can grow to a large size and cause discomfort, so they are usually best drained early. Varicoceles are similar, except they are caused by enlarged blood vessels. Both may require surgical removal in severe cases.

Neither condition is dangerous except in very rare cases when they become infected or put pressure on blood vessels.

Next: Infections and other warts >>