Balanitis Overview
Learn About Balanitis
Balanitis is swelling of the foreskin and head of the penis.
Balanoposthitis
Balanitis is most often caused by poor hygiene in uncircumcised men. Other possible causes include:
- Diseases, such as reactive arthritis and lichen sclerosus atrophicus
- Infection
- Harsh soaps
- Not rinsing soap off properly while bathing
- Uncontrolled diabetes
Symptoms include:
- Redness of foreskin or penis
- Other rashes on the head of the penis
- Foul-smelling discharge
- Painful penis and foreskin
Treatment depends on the cause of the balanitis.
- Antibiotic pills or creams are used to treat balanitis that is caused by bacteria.
- Steroid creams may help balanitis that occurs with skin diseases.
- Anti-fungal cream will be prescribed if it is due to a fungus.
In severe cases, circumcision may be the best option. If you cannot pull back (retract) the foreskin to clean it, you may need to be circumcised.
Sanford Bismarck
Nadim Koleilat is an Urologist in Bismarck, North Dakota. Dr. Koleilat and is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Balanitis. His top areas of expertise are Prostate Cancer, Familial Prostate Cancer, Penile Cancer, Nephrectomy, and Reconstructive Urology Surgery. Dr. Koleilat is currently accepting new patients.
Sanford Bismarck
Karim Courtemanche is an Urologist in Bismarck, North Dakota. Dr. Courtemanche and is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Balanitis. His top areas of expertise are Familial Prostate Cancer, Prostate Cancer, Enlarged Prostate (BPH), Ureteroscopy, and Reconstructive Urology Surgery. Dr. Courtemanche is currently accepting new patients.
Robert Pathroff is an Urologist in Bismarck, North Dakota. Dr. Pathroff and is rated as an Advanced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Balanitis. His top areas of expertise are Prostate Cancer, Familial Prostate Cancer, Enlarged Prostate (BPH), and Bladder Cancer.
Most cases of balanitis can be controlled with medicated creams and good hygiene. Surgery is not needed most of the time.
Long-term swelling or infection can:
- Scar and narrow the opening of the penis (meatal stricture)
- Make it difficult and painful to retract the foreskin to expose the tip of the penis (a condition called phimosis)
- Make it difficult to move the foreskin over the head of the penis (a condition called paraphimosis)
- Affect the blood supply to the tip of the penis
- Increase the risk of penile cancer
Tell your provider if you have any signs of balanitis, including swelling of the foreskin or pain.
Good hygiene can prevent most cases of balanitis. When you bathe, pull back the foreskin to clean and dry the area under it.
Published Date: July 01, 2023
Published By: Kelly L. Stratton, MD, FACS, Associate Professor, Department of Urology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Augenbraun MH. Genital skin and mucous membrane lesions. In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 106.
McLarney RM, Heymann WR. Balanitis. In: Lebwohl MG, Heymann WR, Coulson IH, Murrell D, eds. Treatment of Skin Disease: Comprehensive Therapeutic Strategies. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 22.
Virasoro R, Jordan GH, McCammon KA. Surgery for benign disorders of the penis and urethra. In: Partin AW, Domochowski RR, Kavoussi LR, Peters CA, eds. Campbell-Walsh-Wein Urology. 12th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 82.