Embarrassing Illnesses

The way balanitis is treated depends on what is causing it. Often, your GP will simply advise you to avoid any irritating substances and give you some hygiene advice (see boxes).

Allergic reaction or irritation

If your balanitis is linked to an allergy or substance that irritates your penis, you may be given a mild steroid cream (1% hydrocortisone) to reduce inflammation. You may need to use this as well as antifungal or antibiotic medication.

If the head of your penis (glans) is infected, then a steroid cream should not be used on its own because it could make the infection worse.

It is important to avoid using soaps and other potential irritants while symptoms are present (see box, left).

Yeast infection

If balanitis is caused by a candida (yeast) infection, it is normally treated with an antifungal cream, such as clotrimazole or miconazole.

If you develop balanitis by picking up thrush in your partner's vagina during sex, you may both need treatment.

Avoid having sex while you are being treated for thrush or use a condom. This avoids the infection being passed back to your partner.

Most cases of balanitis clear up with treatment in three to five days.

Bacterial infection

If your balanitis is caused by a bacterial infection, you will be given antibiotics such as penicillin or erythromycin to clear up the infection.

Referral to a specialist

If your balanitis is not caused by an infection and your GP cannot identify anything that irritates your penis, you may be referred to a dermatologist (skin specialist) or genito-urinary (GUM) clinic for further investigation.

If you have phimosis (tight foreskin) and you keep getting repeat attacks of balanitis, then circumcision may be considered.