Are You Sick?

Scrotal Injury

Is this your symptom?

Injuries to the male genital area (scrotum or penis)

Types of Genital Injuries in Males

The penis and scrotum are exposed and at risk for injuries. All the common skin injuries can occur.
Cut. Minor cuts or scrapes heal quickly.
Bruise. Minor bruises heal quickly.
Penetrating Injuries (serious). Puncture injures, whether due to a fall or impact with a sharp object, will need checked at the ER.
Zipper Injury. The foreskin or skin on the penis can get caught on a zipper. You may want a doctor to help with removal.

Blunt Injuries

Urethral Injury (serious). The urethra passes through the entire penis. It can be injured by a kick to the groin or a straddle injury. Also, from putting objects into the urethra through the opening at the tip of the penis.The urethra can be bruised or torn. The main symptoms are bloody urine and trouble passing urine.
Painful Scrotum. A blow to the testicle, such as during sports or by being kicked, will normally cause severe pain. If there was no damage, the pain should go away within 30 minutes. If it persists, you need to be examined.
Swollen Scrotum (serious). Any scrotal swelling from an injury needs to be examined. It may be minor, but need to rule out any other problems. With a severe blow, the testis can burst (rupture).
Ruptured Testicle (serious). A direct blow to the scrotum can also cause a tear of the capsule around the testicle. To save the testicle, this needs emergency surgery. The main finding is severe pain and a swollen scrotum.
Hematoma (Blood Clot) of Scrotum. Blunt trauma can cause a large blood clot to form inside the scrotum. Sometimes, it needs to be drained. This can happen from being hit by a ball or a kick during sports. The main finding is severe pain and a swollen scrotum.

Straddle Injuries

An injury to the groin from falling on an object that is being straddled.
Examples are the crossbar of a bike or a fence.
The urethra can be bruised or torn. The urethra allows urine to pass from the bladder to the outside.
A symptom of a damaged urethra is blood at the penis opening. Other findings are bloody urine, trouble starting the stream or pain when passing urine.

Other Injuries

Burns or scalds. Cool the area right away with cold running water and go to ER. Burns or scalds to the genitalsia may need care by a specialist.
Fractured penis (serious) can occur during vigorous sexual activity or masturbation. You may hear a snap or pop sound and the penis is painful and swollen right away; there is loss of the erection. The penis will look misshapen and bruised. This is an emergency and needs surgery.
Constricting objects such as penile rings can sometimes get stuck and cause a persistent erection and increasing swelling of the penis. Go to the ER to get the rings removed to prevent serious and permanent damage to the penis.

When to Call for Scrotal Injury

When to Call for Scrotal Injury
Call 911 Now Major bleeding that can't be stopped Fainted or too weak to stand You think you have a life-threatening emergency Call Doctor or Seek Care Now Skin is split open or gaping and may need stitches Skin is cut and No past tetanus shots Swollen or painful scrotum Pain or trouble passing urine Blood in urine, semen or at the penis opening You think you need to be seen, and the problem is urgent	Contact Doctor Within 24 Hours Genital pain or swelling lasts more than 1-2 days Blood in semen Dirty cut or hard to clean and no tetanus shot for more than 5 years Clean cut and no tetanus shot for more than 10 years You think you need to be seen, but the problem is not urgent Contact Doctor During Office Hours You have other questions or concerns	Self Care at Home Minor genital injury

Call 911 Now

Major bleeding that can't be stopped
Fainted or too weak to stand
You think you have a life-threatening emergency

Call Doctor or Seek Care Now

Skin is split open or gaping and may need stitches
Skin is cut and No past tetanus shots
Swollen or painful scrotum
Pain or trouble passing urine
Blood in urine, semen or at the penis opening
You think you need to be seen, and the problem is urgent

Contact Doctor Within 24 Hours

Genital pain or swelling lasts more than 1-2 days
Blood in semen
Dirty cut or hard to clean and no tetanus shot for more than 5 years
Clean cut and no tetanus shot for more than 10 years
You think you need to be seen, but the problem is not urgent

Contact Doctor During Office Hours

You have other questions or concerns

Self Care at Home

Minor genital injury

Care Advice

Bleeding - How to Stop:
- For any bleeding, put direct pressure on the wound. Use a gauze pad or clean cloth. Press for 10 minutes without taking the pressure off, or until the bleeding has stopped.
- Note: minor cuts in the genital area can bleed a lot. This is because of the rich blood supply.
- For the same reason, the cut heals quickly.
Cut or Scrape Treatment:
- Wash the wound with soap and water for 5 minutes. It may be easier to do this in the shower or bath.
- For any dirt, scrub gently with a clean wash cloth.
- Put on an antibiotic ointment (such as Polysporin). No prescription is needed. Use 2 times per day.
Cold Cloth for Bruise:
- For bruises or swelling, put a cold wet washcloth on the skin.
- Use once for 20 minutes, but only if tolerated.
- Reason: helps reduce the bleeding and pain.
Burns or Scalds:
- Cool the area with clean cold water right away.
- Cover with a clean cloth or towel and go to ER.
Pain Medicine:
- To help with the pain, give an acetaminophen product (such as Tylenol).
- Another choice is an ibuprofen product (such as Advil). Ibuprofen works well for this type of pain.
- Use as needed, but do not take more than the maximum recommended dosage as stated on the package.
- If you are not sure what to take, ask a pharmacist.
What to Expect:
- Cuts and other minor injuries in the genital area heal quickly. Most often, they heal in 3 or 4 days.
Call Your Doctor If:
- Pain becomes severe
- Passing urine becomes painful or hard to do
- You think you need to be seen
- Your symptoms get worse

And remember, contact your doctor if you develop any of the 'Call Your Doctor' symptoms.

Disclaimer: this health information is for educational purposes only. You, the reader, assume full responsibility for how you choose to use it.

Quick Links