Spot Reduction for Angiokeratoma of the Scrotum

Hi Gents,
I also suffer from this affliction - even though I am married (10 years) and my wife has no issue with this condition whatsoever, I absolutely hate it! I have spent a fortune on laser ablation, which proved not only to be a painful exercise, but more importantly, completely ineffective - the spots just returned, a complete waste of money! Yes, it may be a benign physiological condition, but it most certainly is a cancer of a man's self esteem, confidence and character. After reading some of the articles previously posted, I really got inspired by the determination and courage guys have shown in their attempt to rid themselves of what is potentially a soul-destroying condition. I've subscribed to this topic and it's great to see how resourceful guys are. To be honest, I'm a little nervous of the HCL method, as I think there are too many risks involved: incorrect solution (too strong/too weak); if you have an accident, or spillage, you could cause serious injury to yourself, or even worse, someone else. For me, the acid treatment gets a "thumbs down" and I think you should attempt the "Soldering Iron" method first before risking the acid method.
The 'Soldering Iron' method, as far as I'm concerned, works! The first time I read the post, I got quite excited, because of the fact that I had already undergone the laser ablation treatments: yes, it proved ineffective over the long run, but I always felt that if I could somehow manage the "spots" myself, I would do a better and less painful job, because I was in control, and I'm more than happy to do a little "ball maintenance" every once in a while.

The 'Soldering Iron' method I use is slightly different to the one described in a previous post: for 9 Euro I bought myself a "mini soldering iron" or "soldering needle", normally used in model train soldering. The tip of the iron reaches 400degC, perfect for cauterizing -  it does the same job, if not better and more hygienic than the 'paper clip' method, and is a lot easier work with as it is about the size of a pen
(see link: http://www.conrad.com/Mini-Soldering-Iron-Ms-7512-7.5-W/12v.htm?websale7=conrad-int&pi=588184)
You'll also need a plug in power supply unit (output 3-12VDC // 600 mA max)
I disinfect the 'iron' with Isopropyl- alcohol I get from chemist. Before I start, I swab my scrotum also with the alcohol and then apply an even covering of Tea Tree oil, to avoid infection. I then ensure the 'iron' get's up to temperature, pull the area of my scrotum I wish to treat, tight (ensures the 'spots' stand proud) and proceed to touch them very quickly with the hot iron. I found that if I come down perpendicularly and touch the spot with the tip of the iron, the spot tends to burst and bleed profusely, as opposed to being cauterized. The most effective way is if you come down at an angle (same as pen to paper) and just touch -literally a split second- the 'spot' with the side of the tip of the iron, and you should in most cases hear a tiny satisfying "pop" :-D . There is slight pain but its instantly gone once you've removed the iron. In most cases, the spot is cauterized instantly, but you will have 1 or 2 that bleed. I've managed to clear all my spots and I can't tell you how satisfying it is to look down and see a 'normal' ball-bag! It may not be a permanent fix, but there is so little discomfort involved, I have no problem in managing the spots from here on out!

I must stress though that I strongly agree with point that Nicki di Coco made in his post regarding underwear - he's 100% spot-on, and us guys who suffer from this condition can't afford to cheapskate when it comes jocks... fork out, get quality and pay attention to the laundry label.

By the way, anyone ever considered Sclerotherapy - treatment for spider/varicose veins?   (  http://youtu.be/trgCR1J3EZ0 )
 

how do you guys attach the paper clip to the soldering iron? I tried straightening the paper clip and tried to "wrap" it around the soldering iron but the paper kept breaking on me :(

Alan77, simply spiral wrap the PC around the end of the soldering iron > leaving a little straight section to do the burning.

Thanks for the advice / description of your soldering iron method. I've actually gone ahead and bought one for myself for about US $30 and am seriously gearing up to try it... it has 5 or 6 different tips. BUT as it is now the hottest time of the year I've decided to put it off until late Sept. at least as doing this kind of self treatment may not be such a good idea when it's so hot and sweaty... to reduce risk of infection / irritation on the scrotum, a very sensitive and often moist area.

Just a couple questions for anyone who has tried the soldering iron treatment on angiokeratoma spots on their own scrotum....

1) What is the immediate effect upon the spot exactly once you've applied the quick burn??? Does it disappear? turn black?, scar?, scab?, heal (how long ?) or what???
1a) Does it scab over and fall off after a few days?
1b) Does it leave any kind of scar? If so, how would you describe it?

2) It was mentioned that the spot is instantly cauterized... what does that look like?
2b) The soldering iron I got is usually used for leather & wood crafts so it obviously leaves burn marks on those materials. What is the effect on live skin?

3) Bleeding has also been mentioned, any suggestions for treating that? I assume a compress, applying pressure with a clean cloth is good.

Just asking these questions as it seems like the better prepared we are ahead of time, the better the treatment / results.
I promise to post any results when I get the nerve in the next month or two (when the weather is cooler) to try this method.

Nicki,

I will try to answer your questions...

1) What is the immediate effect upon the spot exactly once you've applied the quick burn??? Does it disappear? turn black?, scar?, scab?, heal (how long ?) or what???
1a) Does it scab over and fall off after a few days?
Answer: Mine really didn't scab at all.

1b) Does it leave any kind of scar? If so, how would you describe it?
No scar or any sign of where the spot were.

2) It was mentioned that the spot is instantly cauterized... what does that look like?
Answer: Mine looked a little lighter and perhaps a trace of dried blood appeared on the bigger ones, but it seemed to wash of after one or two showers.

2b) The soldering iron I got is usually used for leather & wood crafts so it obviously leaves burn marks on those materials. What is the effect on live skin?
Answer: I just bought a pencil type soldering iron that is used for electronics. The paperclip was one of the larger clips, about 1-3/4" long. I straightened it out, then wrapped it in a spiral (4 twists) around the tip of the soldering iron, then left a straight end that extends beyond the tip of the soldering iron by about 3/16". It's that tip I quickly touch to the spots.

3) Bleeding has also been mentioned, any suggestions for treating that? I assume a compress, applying pressure with a clean cloth is good.
Answer: Only one of mine bled. All I did was to apply a piece of gauze moistened with alcohol to it, for about a minute or two and it quit bleeding.

I hope this help.

Hi all.

I am mid 30's and have had Angio of the scrotum for approx. 3 years.

Being single again now they have made me paranoid about being with a new woman but I didnt want to go through Laser (as it is intrusive and the feedback I have heard is that they generally re-appear).

I purchased a soldering iron with a pencil style head and tackled the right side of my scrotum three days ago.

Thus far the results are pleasing. The larger ones may need another treatment but the smaller ones that made a popping sound when i made contact with the soldering iron seem to have vanished (you will understand the great feeling when you get when you hear the popping sound - once youve done it you will understasnd what i mean).

I treated the area with tee tree oil on completion and seems to  be healing perfectly (I didnt go full on so I dont have any blistering etc).

I  had no blood just the slight pain when contact is made (I held the soldering iron on the area for about one second - enough time for the black area to go back to a skin colour).

I will keep you posted but seems to work and cant wait to hit the left side then - hit the town.

I would forget about this paperclip nonsense. Shell out a few dollars and buy one with a think pencil style head and save yourself the dramas.

I would say there really are no "dramas" involved in the paperclip method; However I did a little clean up on a few tiny spots and decided that my soldering iron is a pencil type, and has a small enough tip to use without the paperclip. It did work, but I noticed it was hotter and I had to be a little more careful not to touch the spots very long.

I've never used the tea tree oil or anything extra. I haven't had any problems, so I don't see a need for the tea tree oil or any other antibiotic/antibacterial ointment or cream.

I'm glad to hear you are having success.

The 'dramas' I mentioned about the paperlip method were in relation those that I read in the earlier thread. Several people had problems with paperclips breaking/falling off etc.

The pencil style soldering works a treat but does get dam hot.

Tee Tree oil is just a precaution I prefer to take.

I twisted the paperclip rather tightly around the tip of my soldering iron, so I didn't have any problem with it coming off at all. I know tea tree oil is a good antiseptic, so never hurts to be safe.

Thanks

Has anyone tried removing sports that are wider in diameter than the tip of the paper clip?  If so, what kind of success have you had?  Any bleeding?

I'd say three or four of mine were wider than the tip of the paperclip. I suppose two were about double the size of the paperclip tip. Only one of them bled and not for very long. The bigger ones seemed to be mostly as easy to "burn off" as the smaller ones.

Hi guys. I'm in my mid thirties and have  had these spots for the past 5 years gradually getting worse. I went ahead and bought a pencil type welder soldering iron and tied it on one of my spots today and it worked just like the other guys have said. I touched the spot for as short a fraction of a second as I possibly could and heard a slight popping sound and the spot just disappears into a tiny dot. I felt a tiny bit of pain but it lasted a fraction of a second. I felt pretty scared about doing this,thing king to myself I can't believe I'm about to solder my testicles :) but it did work. Now the question I have is the spot I did was perhaps 2mm but I have a bigger one that I'm scared of doing as it protrudes out a few mm and is perhaps 4 mm across .. Has any one used the soldering iron technique on one so big ? Anis did it bleed ? It's the bleeding I'm scared of really, as I imagine it might take a while to stop. If anyone's got any experience with this your comments would be greatly appreciated. 

Ukguy,

Most of mine were 2-5mm in width. I didn't have a lot but (about 20 in total) what I did have we're mostly on the larger size.

I was lucky they didn't bleed but the biggest 4 or 5 needed several treatments. I don't hold the soldering iron there long so they got four treatments before they disappeared. Give a week or two between treatments and you'll get results.

I suggest tea tree oil if they bleed and as an extra precaution (I know I don't want an infection on my nut sack).

Good luck and keep the forum posted.

Hello!  I haven't replied to these forum in a long long time and glad there are so many of us finally getting together and trying to solve our "issues".  Anyhow, the first time I tried the HCL method works.  Basically hydrochloric Acid which I use with glass capillary and dap it on the spot(s).  I tried the laser thing, expensive and it comes back within a month.   I tried the Wart removal thing, did work if you somehow got the applicator to correctly touching the spots only or else you'll burn the surrounding skin.  So I tried the HCL and it's been working great since January. I do it  every 2-3 months it would get smaller and smaller.  Many are indeed gone and some are smaller to a size of a head of a pin.   I only have like 4 dots on the left and 2 dots on the right, not noticable at all.   I know as we get older we will get new ones and some old ones will relapse/refill, but at least now we have ways to maintain it.  Before we had no answers, doctors says just deal with it and we just end up helpless and self concious like broke penis dogs.  I'll try the paper clip thing once i get the balls to do it.  haha.

Hi guys! I posted a couple months back and just wanted to report that YES, the soldering iron method works! I purchased a pen-like craft tool used for burning wood / leather crafts (heats up to 400 F, comes with various adjustable tips) and with the cooler weather upon us I decided to actually give it a shot today.

Another post was correct in that actually getting the nerve to touch a hot iron point (even a small craft pen one) to such a sensitive area of one's own flesh is the hardest part of the whole ordeal! My fingers started shaking and I turned off the iron and had to return to try it again almost 40 mins later! Ha! But after taking a few deep breaths I actually managed to touch the pen-like tip to a spot, lightly and quickly. It does sting a little, for just a sec, but is not nearly as bad as you may think. i did hear a pop or slight sizzle but I got some hair too. As said elsewhere the spot turned a light flesh color. I did touch 4 spots in total. I had determined to hit 3 on the left side first, touching 2 spots 2 times as my first touch was maybe just a little too light (this is good!) A light, steady touch is ideal! I was emboldened enough to attempt 1 spot on the right side but shaky fingers and the smell of some burning hair (got stuck to the iron) unnerved me enough to quit again. Remember to pull the skin up, stretch it between your fingers and make the spot more visible, stand up, and away from your actual testes. This is just a skin surface thing and I don't think you wanna touch this to the skin as it rests on the testes. Make sure your hands are clean and steady. USE CAUTION! If you get skittish you don't wanna drop the tool on YOUR tool!

I used alcohol for cleaning the tool and my scrotum and the tea tree oil on the skin as a precaution before starting. I am definitely encouraged to try again soon, maybe even later today, on some other spots. I will report back on progress and results. Advice: practice first with the tool unplugged or unheated to get a sense of what you'll be doing without the fear of the burn, may make your hand steadier or more practiced at least. I was unnerved when the tool was first heating up and the metal changed color - an iridescent blue pink, like oil on a wet street; whether this is from the ethanol alcohol I used to clean it or is just a quirk of the tool - I don't know. But the sight of that and the slight smell of hot black rubber (circular "safety guard" at base of hot pen heating up) unnerved me at first. If your hands / fingers shake - put it down, switch it off and come back to it later. After you lightly touch the first spot or two you will be encouraged. 

Thank you to all of you men on this forum for your candor and advice. You guys have a huge set on ya!;-)