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Showing posts from April, 2026

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Your Beard Isn’t Breaking Out—Your Clippers Are Dirty

on April 17, 2026

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Your Beard Isn’t Breaking Out—Your Clippers Are Dirty

Not Acne: Understanding Tinea Barbae (Beard Fungus) Tom of P-Town Health | Practical, stigma-free care for men’s health If you’ve got what looks like stubborn “acne” in your beard—especially if it’s itchy, scaly, or just not responding to your usual routine—you might be dealing with Tinea barbae , not acne at all. Let’s break it down so you can spot it early, treat it correctly, and avoid spreading it (to yourself or others). What Is Tinea Barbae? Tinea barbae is a fungal infection of the hair follicles in the beard and mustache area, caused by dermatophytes (the same family of fungi responsible for athlete’s foot and ringworm). Unlike acne, this is not a bacterial process —so benzoyl peroxide and typical acne washes often fail (and can sometimes irritate things further). Why It Gets Misdiagnosed as Acne Because it can look very similar to: Ingrown hairs Razor bumps ( pseudofolliculitis barbae ) Inflamed acne Folliculitis...

Watersports – What You Need to Know From a Health Perspective

Hey there, friends! Tom of P-Town here, bringing you another open and honest discussion about kink and sexual health. Today’s topic: watersports , sometimes called “golden showers” or urolagnia. Whether you’re curious, experienced, or somewhere in between, I’m here to offer straightforward, non-judgmental information. The name of the game is exploration and pleasure—but as with any erotic play involving bodily fluids, it’s essential to be informed about possible health risks and ways to reduce them. Let’s dive in. What Exactly Are Watersports? For those who are new to the concept, watersports involves sexual arousal or pleasure derived from the act of urinating on—or being urinated on by—a partner, and sometimes being urinated "in" as well. This might happen as part of power dynamics (dominance and submission) or simply as another way to play and bond intimately with a partner. While it’s definitely not everyone’s gulp of tea, plenty of folks enjoy it in a consensual, respec...

New outbreak of a sexually transmitted cause of skin rash in gay men

The Tric That’s Hard to Get Rid Of: A New Fungal Infection on the Rise in MSM Itchy, red, and stubborn—no, we’re not talking about that ex you can’t shake. A new fungal infection is making the rounds in some MSM (men who have sex with men) communities, and it’s proving to be a bit trickier than your typical jock itch. Meet Trichophyton mentagrophytes , a fungus that’s causing a sexually transmitted skin infection that’s both annoying and persistent. What’s the Deal? A handful of MSM have recently been diagnosed with this fungal infection, and here’s the kicker—it doesn’t respond to over-the-counter topical antifungals like your standard athlete’s foot or ringworm. Instead, it’s requiring oral antifungal medication to clear up, making it a bit more of a hassle than your everyday skin nuisance. How Is It Spreading? While research is still ongoing, it seems that Trichophyton mentagrophytes is spreading through close skin-to-skin contact—yes, that means intimate encounters...

“Rimming” 101: Why It Feels Amazing — and the Gut Bugs Your Doctor May Miss

1. Why it (really) feels so good Neuro-rich real estate. The anal rim and perineum are packed with free nerve endings (A-δ and C fibers) plus branches of the pudendal and vagus nerves. Light, wet stimulation sends a direct line of sensory traffic to the sacral spinal cord and onward to the limbic “reward” loop. Parasympathetic power-up. Gentle oral pressure activates baro-receptors around the sphincter, triggering a vagal surge of acetylcholine → smooth-muscle relaxation, lower heart rate, and that warm, floaty feeling many guys describe. Oxytocin + dopamine cocktail. Oral–anal contact is about as intimate as it gets; MRI work on affectionate touch shows a rapid rise in oxytocin and nucleus-accumbens dopamine, amplifying trust and arousal. Add the flavor layer. Taste and scent cues from apocrine glands light up the same olfactory cortex that responds to pheromones, folding another sensory channel into the mix. No wonder survey work puts lifetime analingus experie...

A new cream to regrow hair? Prevent Male Pattern Baldness?

If you spend any time around men’s health (especially guys who’ve watched their hairline change in real time), you’ve probably heard the buzz: Winlevi® (clascoterone) —a topical anti-androgen already FDA-approved for acne—may have a future role in androgenetic alopecia (male-pattern hair loss) . There’s a reason this idea won’t die: the biology makes sense. And recently, late-stage trial programs of clascoterone formulated for the scalp have reported promising topline results in androgenetic alopecia. STAT +2 Fierce Pharma +2 But here’s the key clinical reality: Winlevi is FDA-approved for acne, not hair loss. That means we do not yet have FDA-reviewed evidence that Winlevi regrows hair, and we don’t have standardized guidance on dosing, scalp formulation, long-term outcomes, or insurance coverage for alopecia treatment using this medication. FDA Access Data +1 Let’s break down what we know, what we don’t, and how some cl...

Feed Your Muscles and Your Mojo

When your glutes are tight from squats and your chakras feel like a tangled set of fairy lights, a good spiritual retreat can be the reset button your whole system craves. Research shows that combining contemplative practice with time in nature lowers cortisol, improves immune function, and boosts mood—perfect fuel for the workouts, workweeks, and weekend shenanigans that make up gay-male life today.1 At Tom of P-Town Health we call this “integrated self-care”: flex the body, nourish the mind, and let the spirit exhale. Below are five gay-affirming retreats that consistently earn glowing reviews. They range from rustic-communal to plush-boutique, so you can pick the vibe (and price) that matches your spiritual—and financial—fitness. 1. Easton Mountain – Greenwich, NY Snapshot Details Vibe 175 wooded acres created by gay men, for gay men—think summer-camp energy with adult freedoms. Signature Amenities Clothing-optional pool, hot tub & ...

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