Illness name: balanitis

  • Original languages: English

Description:

Balanitis

Balanitis is when the head of the penis is swollen and sore.

Balanitis is not usually serious but it's important to see a GP to find out what's causing it.

Check if you have balanitis

With balanitis, the head of your penis is usually:

  • red, swollen, itchy and sore

Other symptoms can include:

  • pain when peeing
  • a thick discharge that comes from under your foreskin
  • bleeding around your foreskin
  • an unpleasant smell
  • difficulty pulling back your foreskin – though in young children it's normal to have a tight foreskin

Non-urgent advice: See a GP if:

  • you or your child have symptoms of balanitis
  • treatment has not worked

Adults can also go to a sexual health clinic for assessment.

Sexual health clinics can help with balanitis

Sexual health clinics treat problems with the genitals.

Many sexual health clinics offer a walk-in service, where you do not need an appointment.

They'll often get test results quicker than GP practices.

Find a sexual health clinic

What happens at your appointment

A doctor or nurse will look at your penis and ask you a few questions. They may also wipe a cotton bud over the head of your penis to test for infections.

If any treatment they prescribe does not work, the cause is unknown, or the infection is severe and thrush is present, a blood test may be suggested to check if you have diabetes.

Treatment for balanitis

Treatment for balanitis depends on what's causing it.

A GP may prescribe:

  • a mild steroid cream or ointment
  • an antifungal cream or ointment
  • antibiotics

If you or your child keeps getting balanitis and medicine has not helped, circumcision (surgery to remove the foreskin) may be considered.

Things you can do if you have balanitis

Do

  • wash your penis every day

  • gently pull back your foreskin and wash the area with warm water

  • dry gently after washing

  • if you use condoms, choose condoms for sensitive skin

  • wash your hands before peeing or touching your penis

Don’t

  • do not use soap or shower gel but you could use an emollient (moisturising treatment)

Things you can do if your child has balanitis

Do

  • gently wash your child's penis every day

  • use warm water and then dry it gently

  • if they wear nappies, change your child's nappies often

Don’t

  • do not use soap, bubble bath or baby wipes

  • do not pull your child's foreskin back if it is fixed in place

Causes of balanitis

Causes of balanitis include:

  • not washing your penis properly
  • some young boys have a very tight foreskin ( phimosis ), which means they cannot pull it back to clean under it
  • thrush
  • a sexually transmitted infection (STI) such as gonorrhoea or chlamydia – if a STI is suspected you may be referred to a sexual health clinic
  • substances such as soap, shower gels or condoms may irritate the skin
  • diabetes – high levels of sugar in your pee can cause thrush

Page last reviewed: 08 July 2020
Next review due: 08 July 2023