be healthy

Because a healthy penis is a happy penis

Even if you never develop skin cancer on your most valuable skin, there are other flesh maladies in that area that can cause panic attacks. Not to worry, says Adnan Nasir, M.D., Ph.D., a professor of dermatology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. You simply need to identify what you might be dealing with.

Sudden red, itchy rash: Contact dermatitis (doctor-speak for an allergic reaction). You could be allergic to the latex in your condoms, the detergent in your tighty whities, or even the lotion or perfume your girlfriend uses. One way to know for sure is to have your doctor do an allergy test. In the meantime, try a hypoallergenic detergent or a polyurethane condom, and pop an antihistamine like Benadryl or Claritin to relieve the itch.

Bright red, itchy rash where your legs meet your groin: Jock itch First, switch to boxers. (Sorry, boxer briefs are not a compromise.) Then slap on a little Gold Bond powder in the morning to keep your undercarriage dry as you sweat through the day. In more severe cases, your doctor might prescribe an antifungal cream.

Patches of yellow, greasy flakes with pinpoint bleeding when scratched: Psoriasis You might find similar patches on your elbows, knees, belly button, or scalp, and your finger- and toenails may begin to look bumpy. Swimming in salt water might clear this up. You can also use a hydrocortisone cream or a tar shampoo like Neutrogena T/Gel. Tough cases earn a prescription for a topical steroid or a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory cream.

Redness with yellow, greasy scales, but no bleeding: Seborrheic dermatitis This can also cover your sternum, and you may develop it near your eyebrows and behind your ears. Treat it with a selenium sulfide shampoo, such as Selsun Blue, or one containing salicylic acid or ketoconazole.

Rash with white, powdery scales in the folds of the skin: Eczema It can also show up in the crooks of your elbows and on the backs of your knees. Treat it with Sarna or Aveeno anti-itch lotion or a hydrocortisone cream. Prescription remedies include Protopic and Zonalon.

Any one of the above that doesn't go away after treatment, plus irregular bumps: possible skin cancer You'll need to visit a specialist for a biopsy of the affected area.