Balanitis is swelling of the head of the penis.
The foreskin (the loose flap of skin that covers the head of the penis) is also often affected.
Balanitis is a common condition that can affect both boys and men, although it happens more often in men who have not been circumcised.
Balanitis is not normally serious and can usually be prevented with good hygiene.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms of balanitis include:
- swelling
- redness
- soreness
- thick discharge under the foreskin
Read more about the symptoms of balanitis.
When to see your GP
Visit your GP or local sexual health or genito-urinary (GUM) clinic if you have any of the symptoms of balanitis. While balanitis is not usually a serious condition, it can be a sign that you have another, underlying health condition, such as a sexually transmitted infection (STI) or thrush (a type of fungal infection).
Also visit your GP if your son develops balanitis. They may need prescription-only medication, such as antibiotics.
Who is affected
Balanitis can happen at any age. An estimated 1 in 20 boys under five years old are affected by balanitis. One in 10 men who attend a sexual health or genito-urinary (GUM) clinic have balanitis.
Skin irritation is the most common cause of balanitis in boys. It is usually related to poor hygiene, such as not getting rid of excess urine from the end of the penis after urinating.
In men, balanitis can have a number of causes, including:
- skin irritation due to exposure to substances, such as perfumed soaps or shower gels
- an allergic reaction after coming into contact with chemicals that are used in products such as soaps or detergents
- skin conditions, such as psoriasis
- sexually transmitted infections (STIs), such as gonorrhoea, genital herpes and syphilis
- persistent dribbling of urine following urination
Read more about the causes of balanitis.
Treatment
Most cases of balanitis are easily treated with a combination of creams or ointments and good hygiene, such as avoiding substances that irritate the penis.
In rare cases of balanitis that keeps coming back, circumcision (surgical removal of the foreskin) may be recommended. For example, if a man has a pre-existing condition that makes them unable to pull back their foreskin to clean it (phimosis), or persistent dribbling of urine following urination.
Read more about treatment for balanitis.
