The symptoms of balanitis vary in severity. You may not experience all of them. They include:
- red skin around the head of your penis (glans)
- swelling of the head of your penis
- irritation and soreness on the head of your penis
- thick discharge under the foreskin
- a rash or ulcers (sores) around the head of your penis
- itchiness around the head of your penis
- an unpleasant odour
- a tight foreskin that will not retract (pull back); the medical name for this is phimosis
- pain when passing urine
When to seek medical advice
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).
It is therefore important to visit your GP or your local sexual health or genito-urinary (GUM) clinic to have your symptoms diagnosed and to receive any necessary treatment.
You should also visit your GP if your son develops balanitis. They may require prescription-only medication, such as antibiotics, to treat their symptoms. Your GP can advise them on how to improve their hygiene by regularly cleaning the head of their penis, particularly under the foreskin.
