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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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I don't know whats happened, I clean my penis everyday without fail, just recently I was walking to work & dying for a pee, so went round a corner & had a wee... & ever since that day my penis has swollen up round the head of it its like the bones have dislocated & shrinked in size, so the rim of the head has budged backwards, and there feels to be a bone sticking out on the right side of it, if I look at it from the top, it is very painful & feel like am having erection problems, can someone please tell me what this is? and how I can cure it without going to the doctor?





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I got a foreskin infection now it my penis head got white sore .it very pain and itchy after I apple forsodern oilment ,even when I touch movin around.i am just 14 I need help





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Hi. Could someone please help? Over the last few days my, penis shaft has got bigger and bigger, it is swelling up greatly to almost twice the size width ways! It is sometimes sore if pressure is applied and I find it hard to pull my foreskin back. Last night I read something about balantis and something to do with smegma, I went in the bath and managed to pull my foreskin right back and found lots of white stuff with I think was the smegma as it had a foul smell to it, I cleaned it in hot wot and used cotton buds to get rid of the what is thought to be smegma. I read that balantis can be caused by using to much soap or shower gel to wash under the foreskin as it causes dry skin? I am also pretty sure I have chlamydia, as my partner had it when she was check a few weeks ago. I have an appointment with the doctor on tuesday. I'd like to also add on the shaft of my penis there seems to be like a swollen vein and its very puffy, almost as if it wants to explode. Could anyone help me with this? Bearing in mind after giving it a good clean last night, the swelling seems to have went down slightly. Can I just add, I read it can be cause by poor hygiene, I am a very clean person and wash down below everyday, so it comes as a real shock! Thanks.





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Hi im 14 and i masturbate alot and recently i noticed a red line above the forskin when i pull it back, when i pull it back its like a hole and im quite worried please help





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When I masterbate my penis well swell And I do I gentle and it lasts up to about 12 hrs any ideas plez





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Hi, similar to another post (Posted on 5 Aug 2011 13:28 by Robert) - I have 2 red blotches on the head of my penis, however, they are a little painful - particularly when masturbating. AM now worried as I have read articles about Penile Cancer on the web. I have not have sex for over 2 years so am sure it is not an STI. Can you please help?





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Sounds like a mild case of balanitis to me. Apply something like Sudocrem to the area in a morning and at night, and be sure to wash it off before re-applying. When it seems to go down, just ensure you wash your penis thoroughly, with a little soap, to keep it clean in future.

the opening to my urethra seems to be growing closed and turning a whitish colour, it isnt painful but it is really concerning to me. i am also circumcised any advise or help will be greatly appreciated.





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the opening to my urethra seems to be growing closed and turning a whitish colour, it isnt painful but it is really concerning to me. any advise or help will be greatly appreciated.





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I had balanitis once or twice when I was much younger, but it seemed to clear up. I'm 18 now, and have noticed in the last couple of years, a series of incredibly small whitish growths that ring the rim of the glans. Could this be a recurrence? They appear to just be tiny flaps of skin, rather than blisters or other maladies.





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Hello, I think you are experiencing what is known as PPP or Pearly penile papules. Do some reasearch on them and check some pictures out to see if they resemble what your experiencing. If so there's nothing really to worry about as PPP are naturally apart of your own anatomy. I would suggest going to a sexual health clinic just to be on the safe side.

Looking at it, this appears to be exactly what I have. I've also noticed them recently (if slowly) to be receding slightly. I sincerely doubt it's anything more, I'm not sexually active. Thanks for the advice.

White spots of dead skin on tip of penis and the head White blotches even when I get erection the spots remain White and the unnafected areas go red with blood flow





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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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