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Conditions

Balanitis

Circinate Balanitis (Photo courtesy of CDC)

Soreness, swelling and redness of the head of the penis is known as balanitis, which is a Greek word meaning ‘inflammation of the acorn’. Symptoms and treatment can vary depending on how severe the case is, but sufferers may experience irritation and soreness of the glans (the head of the penis), thick lumpy discharge under the foreskin and pain when passing urine. There are several ways in which this bacterial infection can develop, but the most common perpetrator is candida or yeast infection, which can be picked up during sex. Similarly, some sexually transmitted infections can also cause balanitis, such as genital herpes, chlamydia, and syphilis. As balanitis affects the penis (or the acorn, if you’d prefer), you can keep the offending item in your trousers and away from prying eyes. But the best way to prevent this condition is through good hygiene, which, for future reference, is also the best way to attract women.

What the Men in White Coats Say

Comments and Questions

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Im 14 my voice has broken my testicals havent dropped i masturbate very often ive noticed my penis getting very itchy and sore lately it has red blotchy parts on head of penis and top of foreskin any ideas?





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I Am 14 Yrs Old, My Penis Is Red And Sore To Touch Sometimes, And It Is Even More Red Around The Urethra, And I Also Have Tiny White Spots Around The Head. (I Already Know What To Do With Those) What Should I Do About The Redness???





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Can anyone help I have a red rash on the tip of my penis which contains little pimples which are smooth, it does not hurt it only appeared today in the bath I'm 16 btw





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Hi, I am 45, married and diabetic. I have had this condition of redness, slight burning on the tip of the penis and foresikin with very tiny cuts. In the past, doctor will give me some granules to be diluted in water to be used to clean the penis and apply some softening cream and the problem will go away in few days. Now, I am in a foreign country, doctor here has given me some candida wash which is not effective, i mean i clean the penis, but within a day, some sticky offwhite waste like formation will come in the foreskin, it will go with plain water but will come again, due to this I am sexually inactive for more than 5 months but do mastrubate some time. What could be the reason, the lasst time my GP told me that it appears some bacterial infection and I will send you to the dermatologist. What could be the cause of this problem, is it diabetic related?





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I'm diabetic too and have this problem I'm 19 and would like to know if it goes away?

im 16 and i have red inflamation on the head of my penis, anyone got any ideas what it is ?.





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I also have this just noticed it today, I think it may be Balanitis As I have a red patch with little pimples which are smooth and the area is either red or a orange looking colour

Hi I'm 17 snd for a while now when I pull my foreskin back there as very samll white spots around the top of my foreskin you can feel them or anything they are just visable ??





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Could be PPP:http://www.channel4embarrassingillnesses.com/conditions/pearly-penile-papules

I am 13 years of age and when I get a erection my foreskin does not come back. and, when I touch the end of my penis is uncomfortable and hurts slightly. any advice?





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Hello, I Am Nearly 15, I Had This Same Problem When I Was 13, It Is Just Because Your Not Ready And It's A Bit Tight, Just Wait A Little While And Try To Slowly Get It Back In The Shower Or Bath Or Something, It Will Be Uncomfortable At First But Gradually It Will Be Fine And Normal And Not Painful In Anyway IF You Have Good Hygiene And Clean It Properly

i have red spots on end of penis head, which start to itch then weep,ive had this for a few years now, not sexally active, can you help





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I get sore foreskin after sex and small splits in foreskin which last for days and i ruining my sex life. I get discharge that randomly happens and smells! My girlfriend also gets sore after sex and very itchy so there must be some sort of link! i have been the clinic got tested for everything and it all came back clear of all sti's but they said there was some sort of bacterial infection so gave me anti biotics which seemed to work but after sex again it has come back worse??? plz help! :





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I am 33 year old male and after having sexual intercourse with my wife the end of my penis has become sore to touch, swollen and red and i have noticed a lump the size of a pea has developed. Although i have noticed redness before, the lump is a new developement, although it has shrunk in size in the few hours after and the redness also dissapears - its as though the sex aggrevates my foreskin or bellend for a short period of time after. Does anyone know what this could be?





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It looks like no one else has asked this question, so please fill in the rest of your details below.





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Content supplied by NHS Choices

Symptoms of balanitis vary in severity and you may not have all of them. Symptoms include: Read More »

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