Conditions
Balanitis
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.
Comments and Questions
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Please note: Unfortunately Channel 4 cannot respond to individual inquiries. If you have any concerns, you can check out NHS Choices, but ultimately it is always best to check with a health professional.
I have some tiny red blotches and the head of my penis, I did have unprotected sex 3 days ago and appeared 2 days after, these are not painful, irritant and have no affects what so ever, just some tiny red blotches, could you advise what this could be and any treatment? thanks
hi im joe and i have redness going a round my bellend, and i have dry skin what can i doo?
Hello, when the penis either relax/ or erect at the end of the foreskin there seems to be either a swelling or air around the top, it is not sore nor painful and has no rash,Thank you.
I have had problems with my foreskin for well over a year now and my GP eventually refered me to a specialist who said I had Zoons Balanitis. He told me the only treatment was circumcision which I was not happy with. I logged into a mens health forum in the internet and someone had the same infection but he cleared it up with a cream called Trimovate. This is only available by prescription but I got some from my doctor. I have been applying it to the inside of my foreskin twice a day for about three weeks. I am pleased to say that it is 90 per cent better and hopefully it will be gone soon.
hi i have a dry splitting foreskin i have been to the doctors which have prescribed daktacort but this only aids for a short while. it eventually heals but then when i have sex it comes back and is really tight and splits again and sometimes bleeds. what else could i use or could be done thanks
Hi, I'm worried about my foreskin and the head of my penis as they are currently much more red then they normally are, there is a moisture under the foreskin and it's quite itchy can you shed some light on the situation please thanks Adam 16
i'm 13 and my penis head shaft and scrotem are coverd in little white spots (mostly on the forescin) and it makes me embaresed even through no one can see it
hi im 17 and a virgin. i have a really sore sweeling under the head of the penis and it hurts to pull the foreskin back. it causes alot of pain- only under the foreskin and on the head. it also causes small bits of cheese like substance which i am just a little worried about when it comes to sex. thanks jake
I had Balanitis for years and used all the creams available but it kept coming back so I got circumcised and I no longer have the problem
hello, i have the same sort of thing, i've never let it get this bad, but am starting to get very depressed trying to find a cure for it! mine comes and goes but resently seems to be regular, i dont have trouble passing water! doctors have said its thrush and given me cream for it. at 1st it helps but now it doesn't. ive had many swabs and std checks but everything is clear, they said it was yeast problem. im in a steady relationship but is very imbarrassing getting it out when its bad and often puts me off having sex! i would love to be clean from it once and all, i will do anything to help! thanks for your time
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