Although you may initially feel embarrassed about visiting your GP with the symptoms of balanitis, it is important that you do.
This is because you (or your child) may require prescription-only medication, such as antibiotics or antifungals (see balanitis – treatment for more information), which you will only be able to access through your GP.
It is also possible that your symptoms could be a sign of a more serious underlying health condition, such as diabetes, for which you may need additional testing.
Children
In trying to determine what is causing balanitis, your GP will examine your child’s penis and ask them (or you) whether they have any additional symptoms, such as itchiness or pain when passing urine.
Your GP may also ask a number of questions to help determine the cause of your child’s balanitis. For example, they may ask:
- how often your son cleans his penis or, in younger children, how often they have their nappy changed
- whether they may have been exposed to irritants, such as soap or bubble bath
- whether you have noticed them playing or fiddling with their foreskin
- whether they have a history of skin conditions, such as eczema
Further testing is usually only required if a child’s symptoms are particularly severe or fail to respond to treatment. This usually involves taking a small sample of cells from the head of the penis (a biopsy) and testing them for the presence of an infectious agent, such as bacteria or fungus.
Adults
To determine the cause of balanitis in adults, a similar process is followed. Your GP will examine your penis and ask you about your symptoms.
They will also ask questions to help establish what is causing your symptoms, such as exposure to irritants, or whether you may have damaged the head of your penis during sex.
As with children, further testing is usually only needed if your symptoms are severe, if they have not responded to treatment, or if you have had repeated episodes of balanitis.
In addition to taking a sample of cells from your penis, your GP may refer you for blood and urine tests to measure your blood sugar levels. This is to check whether you have developed diabetes, which may be making you more vulnerable to infection.
Your GP may also recommend that you are tested for sexually transmitted infections (STIs). They may refer you to a sexual health clinic.
