You may get a cut on your penis, just like on any other part of your body. It typically heals on its own. But other conditions can cause irritation or sores that may look like a cut.

Your penis tip, shaft, or foreskin (if you’re uncircumcised) may get cut for many reasons, such as engaging in sexual activity and wearing uncomfortable clothing.

A cut is usually nothing to worry about, and it’ll heal on its own. However, sometimes a cut on the penis could get infected, which may lead to complications.

Keep reading to learn more about the causes, treatments, and prevention tips for a cut on your penis.

A penis can get cut for numerous reasons.

Friction injuries

Penile skin is thin and somewhat loose, whether the penis is flaccid or erect. As a result, the skin may get rubbed raw or pulled back and forth during physical activities, potentially tearing the skin.

A 2017 study found that people with a circumcised penis were less likely to experience penile cuts, abrasions, or scratches during sexual intercourse than people with an uncircumcised penis.

Some activities that may cause friction injuries like a cut on your penis may include:

  • sexual intercourse
  • masturbation
  • playing sports, such as cycling, football, baseball, and basketball
  • jogging or running
  • cardio exercises that involve up and down movements

During sex, any part of your penis may get cut from friction created by movement within the vagina, anus, mouth, or hands.

The most delicate areas are more likely to get cut, such as the frenulum. This is a small, thin strip of skin that connects the bottom of the penis head, or glans, to the shaft.

Zipper injuries

A 2023 review found that zipper injuries are the most common cause of penile injuries in the United States.

Zipper injuries usually affect children because they’re more likely to get distracted while using them.

However, the authors of the review note that adults may also experience zipper injuries, especially if another person, like a caretaker, is zipping up for them.

Zipper injuries usually affect the foreskin. This may cause pain, inflammation, and cuts.

Most people will try to treat zipper injuries themselves due to embarrassment, but this may cause further injury and make removal more difficult. It’s important to get immediate medical attention if you experience a zipper injury to your penis to prevent any complications.

Genital grooming

It’s possible to cut your penis while trimming your pubic hair with a manual or electric razor. According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), 1 in 4 people may injure themselves while shaving their genital area.

A cut on your penis could be painful and increase your risk of developing infections.

The AAD recommends the following tips to prevent penile cuts while shaving:

  • avoid distractions while shaving
  • use a clean, sharp razor
  • shave while standing

Learn more about how to trim your pubic hair.

Balanitis

Balanitis is an irritation on the head of your penis that may cause swelling, soreness, and discoloration. It’s more common in people who haven’t received circumcision.

The most common causes of balanitis include:

Balanitis may also cause itching. Frequently scratching itchy spots on your penis may cause you to cut open the skin. Untreated balanitis may cause your foreskin to become impossible to pull back, known as phimosis.

Yeast infection

A yeast infection (or thrush) happens when a fungus, such as Candida albicans, grows out of control on your penis skin or foreskin.

Common symptoms include:

It’s usually caused by not washing your penis thoroughly, sweating in your groin area, or having sex with someone who has an infection.

As with balanitis, spots of irritation may resemble a cut, and scratching itchy areas could cut open your skin.

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

Some STIs may cause penile symptoms that could look like cuts, such as swelling, rashes, irritation, and discoloration.

Some STIs that may affect your penis include:

Severe rashes and irritation can tear open your skin. It’s important to get an STI treated quickly before it causes any complications. Talk with your doctor if you notice any of the following symptoms along with a penis cut:

  • pain during urination
  • severe pain or swelling in your penis or testicles
  • blood in your urine
  • abnormal discharge from your penis
  • abnormal penis odor
  • pain while having sex
  • fever
  • headaches
  • fatigue
  • constipation or diarrhea
  • bumps or rashes around your upper thighs, butt, or anus

Most cuts will heal on their own without medical treatment, according to the United Kingdom’s National Health Service (NHS).

Speak with a healthcare professional if you’re still experiencing pain or swelling 7 days after a cut heals. Even if a cut seems minor, you can still be exposed to infections.

Get emergency medical help if you notice any of the following symptoms:

  • The cut is wide open and bleeding profusely.
  • You’re having trouble or feeling pain when urinating.
  • You feel excessive pain that doesn’t go away with pain medications.
  • There’s blood in your urine that isn’t from the cut.
  • You have pain or swelling in your testicles.

Treatment for a cut on your penis will depend on the underlying cause.

For small, shallows cuts, basic first aid should be enough to help treat it:

  1. Wash your hands.
  2. Put a bandage or clean piece of cloth over the cut to stop any bleeding.
  3. Use clean water to wash out the cut. Clean the area around your cut with soap, but don’t get soap in the cut.
  4. Use an ointment with antibiotics to moisten the area around the cut.
  5. Use a bandage or gauze dressing with medical tape to cover the cut.
  6. Change the bandage or dressing once daily.

It’s important to abstain from all sexual activity until the cut is completely healed.

For deeper and more severe cuts, a healthcare professional may have to close the cut with stitches, special glue, or surgery. They may recommend topical, oral, or injection drugs if you have a risk of developing an infection, too.

If you experience frequent penile cuts from friction injuries or balanitis, a doctor may recommend circumcision.

Prevent penis cuts by planning ahead and practicing good hygiene.

Some tips to help prevent penis cuts include:

  • keeping your penis skin clean by bathing regularly
  • keeping your penis moisturized if it tends to get dry
  • wearing comfortable, 100% cotton underwear that’s not too loose or tight
  • wearing a condom during sexual intercourse
  • wearing genital protection during physical activities, such as a jock strap
  • being careful when you masturbate, such as avoiding using a dry hand

Do foreskin cuts heal on their own?

Small, minor cuts that affect the foreskin will usually heal on their own with proper hygiene. More severe cuts, however, may require medical attention. This may include stitches, surgery, or medications to help heal.

Can I put Vaseline on my foreskin cuts?

According to the AAD, applying petroleum jelly to minor cuts may boost healing by keeping your skin moist. That said, petroleum jelly may cause irritation and balanitis in some people. As such, speak with a healthcare professional before applying Vaseline to foreskin cuts. They may suggest a better alternative for you.

Can you use Sudocrem on your foreskin?

Sudocrem may help treat minor cuts on your foreskin, but it’s sold as a medicated diaper rash cream. It’s best to speak with a healthcare professional before using Sudocrem on your foreskin to avoid possible complications.

A cut on the penis may affect the tip, shaft, or foreskin if you’re not circumcised.

Cuts usually heal in a few days and are treatable at home. Larger cuts, however, may take a week or more to heal and may require medical attention.

Talk with a doctor if your cut doesn’t heal right away or the cut and any associated symptoms get worse.