NHS Choices Condition
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Your GP should be able to diagnose balanitis simply by the redness and inflamed (swollen) appearance of the glans.
Often, you will simply be advised to avoid any potential substances that irritate the penis and practise good hygiene.
If your balanitis is caused by a yeast infection (thrush), this can be easily treated.
Tests
If your GP thinks balanitis could be caused by something else, or it does not clear up with treatment, you may need to have some tests. These can include:
- AÂ swab (sample of cells) taken from the penis to help identify the bacteria causing the infection.
- AÂ urine sample to check for sugar (if diabetes is suspected).
In rare cases, a biopsy (sample) of inflamed skin may be taken. This is sent to a laboratory and looked at under a microscope to identify the cause of the infection.
view information about Balanitis on www.nhs.co.uk »Important Notice
The information provided on this website (including any NHS Choices medical information) is for use as information or for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical care by a qualified doctor or other qualified healthcare professional. We do not warrant that any information included within this site will meet your health or medical requirements. This Embarrassing Bodies site does not provide any medical or diagnostic services so you should always check with a health professional if you have any concerns about your health.
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