I bought mine at Fry's for $5. It does not say what the wattage is but if I had to guess it's on the low end like 30 watt. It works great and I tap the spots lightly 2 or 3 times until it's obvious I have treated it. I don't think a powerful iron is a good idea. Start off taking it easy until you get the hang of it. Steady your hand on your leg. It's expected you will have the shakes at first. After a few spots it gets easier. Remember to use antiseptic afterwards and repeat antiseptic ointment application a few times a day. Neosporin is great. Tea tree oil is great. Rubbing alcohol works. If you get a bleeder stop and deal with that. It happens and is part of the process. AKNM
Can you please make a video on how you've made the metal paper clip with the soldering iron, thanks
Or post how did you managed to attach the paper clip to the soldering iron without that the paper clip will move, thanks
The tip on my soldering iron is fine tip so the paper clip is not necessary. If you have a soldering iron but it is not fine tip you would wind the paper clip a couple of times around the tip of the iron. You may need pliers to do that unless you have strong fingers.
Thank you to everyone in this thread. It's near impossible to get a doctor to assist because of its "harmlessness" (not harmless to my sex life!). This thread has been both informative and comforting (stronger as one and all that!).
First thing I tried yesterday (which was probably quite dangerous) was use a safety pin and just lance the things. I was very intoxicated and frustrated at the time (only reason I had such an aggressive go at it) so the pain was non-existent and the ones that did pop seem to have disappeared the next day - but it was a very bloody process. I did a few more today while sober with less success because I'm a lot more cautious, certainly popped more of the large ones but the small ones are quite painful and a bit too deep and small to get adequate pressure.
The other issue with lancing is not always going deep enough or slightly missing which causes bleeding but not from the blister, and once that happens I can no longer squeeze the area so must leave it alone and try elsewhere or wait an hour. Not great, plus I have quite a lot, I'd say 40 in one area and 20 in another.. I did get rid of at least 10 significant ones in the minor area, looks much better already.
Anyway I did buy a soldering iron (and attach a paperclip because that seems safer), but I've been extremely scared to use it. I did muster some courage and tried once, it stung a bit, I tried a couple taps but nothing seemed to happen (though it was a large one I tried so perhaps I needed to be more brutal).. so since it was pain with no gain I've kind of been scared off the technique and gone back to the gore method of piercing them...
Any tips for getting over the fear of burning them? seems like the fastest method.. just.. yeah, fire for some reason is scarier than sharpness for me.
It did help to read peoples experiences, like, how the skin reacted in various ways to it, and how it looked while healing etc.. hmm, maybe I'll read those again..I did order some numbing cream, while I doubt it does a lot it might give me more confidence.
First thing I tried yesterday (which was probably quite dangerous) was use a safety pin and just lance the things. I was very intoxicated and frustrated at the time (only reason I had such an aggressive go at it) so the pain was non-existent and the ones that did pop seem to have disappeared the next day - but it was a very bloody process. I did a few more today while sober with less success because I'm a lot more cautious, certainly popped more of the large ones but the small ones are quite painful and a bit too deep and small to get adequate pressure.
The other issue with lancing is not always going deep enough or slightly missing which causes bleeding but not from the blister, and once that happens I can no longer squeeze the area so must leave it alone and try elsewhere or wait an hour. Not great, plus I have quite a lot, I'd say 40 in one area and 20 in another.. I did get rid of at least 10 significant ones in the minor area, looks much better already.
Anyway I did buy a soldering iron (and attach a paperclip because that seems safer), but I've been extremely scared to use it. I did muster some courage and tried once, it stung a bit, I tried a couple taps but nothing seemed to happen (though it was a large one I tried so perhaps I needed to be more brutal).. so since it was pain with no gain I've kind of been scared off the technique and gone back to the gore method of piercing them...
Any tips for getting over the fear of burning them? seems like the fastest method.. just.. yeah, fire for some reason is scarier than sharpness for me.
It did help to read peoples experiences, like, how the skin reacted in various ways to it, and how it looked while healing etc.. hmm, maybe I'll read those again..I did order some numbing cream, while I doubt it does a lot it might give me more confidence.
Practice a lot before you actually touch the tip to the blister. Tap closer and closer then lightly touch. Just a little so you can see how it feels. I have done the goring method. Bloody. Slow. Not as sterile.
I'm 46 and i have these spots as well. I've found that popping them with a safty pin and letting them bleed out works out great. And then putting blue star on the sack area. Of course it burns a bit but they stay gone for a long time. I've tryed a lot of different way of dealing with theme and this works the best for me.
Hey man if you can keep doing that you can get them under control . I first started popping mine it scared the scrap out of me but i noticed letting them bleed out would reduce the veins in my sack as well . Im going to try the iron method it sounds promising but i think the bleeding them out helps a lot. Good luck man .
I agree with your observations on the benefits of letting some blood flow. I have experienced that as well. It has been only lightly referenced in this thread. I would love to hear a medical explanation to why it resulted in so much relief.
i have been applying coconut oil for while and i cant really tell if it has done any good. the marks have not receded but i'm wondering if they would've getten worse had i not used the coconut oil.
by a while i meant over a year
I simply wait for the AK pustules to develop into red spots. Then in the shower a simply grab each one and pop it like a pimple. Be ready to clean up the blood.
I've had Angiokeratoma of the scrotum for years and probably first noticed it in my early to mid 20s where it wasn't overly wide spread. Now in my late 30s it had escalated significantly and to the point where it was having a significant impact on my sexual self being. With this in mind I hit the online forums to find out if there was some sort of magic cream to be applied or at the very least, what others were doing to treat the problem.
I settled on going to see a dermatologist for treatment via a laser (not sure which type of laser, sorry). The experience wasn't at all pleasant although it did go some way to remedying the problem. First, the lack of empathy from the Dr for what is clearly an emotionally sensitive problem was disappointing. Being told to drop your pants and then have the Dr respond with shock as to the extent of the problem was like, the “I was in the pool” moment from George Costanza in Seinfeld. Secondly, I'm pretty sure this dermatologist had never treated Angiokeratoma of the scrotum previously.. and potentially, the use of the laser she had available may not have been ideal (see pt 4). Third, the treatment process was very painful despite the application of some numbing cream prior. Fourth, the burning by laser created a ridiculous amount of blood, making it hard for the Dr to see each target and leaving me there for 30min with tissues to my balls to stem the bleeding and having to use lady’s pads inserted into my undies to make it home.. Fifth, for 2 days after my balls felt like like they’d been rubbed over a cheese grater.
So… enough of the background.. but suffice to say, I am talking from some base of experience.
The good news however, is that I feel I’ve settled on a much more manageable treatment option (not a solution. i’m afraid we’re stuck with this problem, so the best we can do is treat it to lessen the visibility and impact on our sexual self confidence). My treatment option is based on online forum research (some people had recommended versions of this), my treatment via a dermatologist and the treatment I administered on myself twice.
You will need:
1. Numbing Cream (I used NumbSkin Cream, which contains 10.56% Lidocaine)
2. Antiseptic Liquid (I used Thursday Plantation Tea Tree Oil)
3. Soldering Iron and 3xAA batteries (I used a TradeFlame 4.5v 6w version. Available at hardware or hobby stores)
4. Ointment to relieve and clean (I used Lucas’ papaw ointment)
The process as follows:
1. Apply numbing cream 30 min prior liberally all over the target area (tip, use some cling wrap to cover the area and before placing you’re undies back on)
2. Apply antiseptic liquid to the soldering iron tip (tip, i used Q tips to apply)
3. Direct the tip of the soldering iron to each target spot (tip, apply very gently. i found that you’re sort of singeing each spot rather than popping it.. possibly what the Dr should have been doing. You will hear a little pop or sizzle and the area will turn white)
4. Rinse off in shower and carefully dry the area (tip, by now the numbing cream will have worn off and the area will be sensitive so go gently)
5. Apply some ointment
6. Regularly apply ointment, keep area clean and dry and avoid getting too sweaty for a 2 days..
7. For 2 days it will be a little uncomfortable (but nothing like the cheese grating laser)
8. Each spot will look a bit nasty, like a small burn for a while as the dead skin falls away.. but you should be good to get back out there in a week.
All the best.
I settled on going to see a dermatologist for treatment via a laser (not sure which type of laser, sorry). The experience wasn't at all pleasant although it did go some way to remedying the problem. First, the lack of empathy from the Dr for what is clearly an emotionally sensitive problem was disappointing. Being told to drop your pants and then have the Dr respond with shock as to the extent of the problem was like, the “I was in the pool” moment from George Costanza in Seinfeld. Secondly, I'm pretty sure this dermatologist had never treated Angiokeratoma of the scrotum previously.. and potentially, the use of the laser she had available may not have been ideal (see pt 4). Third, the treatment process was very painful despite the application of some numbing cream prior. Fourth, the burning by laser created a ridiculous amount of blood, making it hard for the Dr to see each target and leaving me there for 30min with tissues to my balls to stem the bleeding and having to use lady’s pads inserted into my undies to make it home.. Fifth, for 2 days after my balls felt like like they’d been rubbed over a cheese grater.
So… enough of the background.. but suffice to say, I am talking from some base of experience.
The good news however, is that I feel I’ve settled on a much more manageable treatment option (not a solution. i’m afraid we’re stuck with this problem, so the best we can do is treat it to lessen the visibility and impact on our sexual self confidence). My treatment option is based on online forum research (some people had recommended versions of this), my treatment via a dermatologist and the treatment I administered on myself twice.
You will need:
1. Numbing Cream (I used NumbSkin Cream, which contains 10.56% Lidocaine)
2. Antiseptic Liquid (I used Thursday Plantation Tea Tree Oil)
3. Soldering Iron and 3xAA batteries (I used a TradeFlame 4.5v 6w version. Available at hardware or hobby stores)
4. Ointment to relieve and clean (I used Lucas’ papaw ointment)
The process as follows:
1. Apply numbing cream 30 min prior liberally all over the target area (tip, use some cling wrap to cover the area and before placing you’re undies back on)
2. Apply antiseptic liquid to the soldering iron tip (tip, i used Q tips to apply)
3. Direct the tip of the soldering iron to each target spot (tip, apply very gently. i found that you’re sort of singeing each spot rather than popping it.. possibly what the Dr should have been doing. You will hear a little pop or sizzle and the area will turn white)
4. Rinse off in shower and carefully dry the area (tip, by now the numbing cream will have worn off and the area will be sensitive so go gently)
5. Apply some ointment
6. Regularly apply ointment, keep area clean and dry and avoid getting too sweaty for a 2 days..
7. For 2 days it will be a little uncomfortable (but nothing like the cheese grating laser)
8. Each spot will look a bit nasty, like a small burn for a while as the dead skin falls away.. but you should be good to get back out there in a week.
All the best.
I haven't read all the posts so this may have been mentioned, but when using the soldering method, apply a LIDOCAINE cream beforehand. Aspercreme is one such (the one with 4% lidocaine). I tried a soldering iron originally and the pain was unbearable, unlike some other guys. I couldn't imagine doing that on hundreds of spots. Following directions for numbing agents used in tattooing, I applied the cream and wrapped the area in cellophane for 20 minutes before undergoing the procedure, which was then practically painless and allowed me to go very rapidly from one spot to the next. And don't forget to apply an antibiotic ointment afterward.
Hello.. i bought a soildering iron that goes upto 480c, when i touched the spots it never popped just made a sizzling sound. I am not sure if this is enough?