Common causes of this condition include:

• Irritation and lack of airflow due to fluid (smegma) that can build up on the glans penis.

• Poor personal hygiene, especially in uncircumcised males. Not cleaning the glans penis and foreskin well can result in a buildup of bacteria, viruses, and yeast, which can lead to infection and inflammation.

Other causes include:

• Chemical irritation from products such as soaps or shower gels, especially those that have fragrance. Chemical irritation can also be caused by condoms, personal lubricants, petroleum jelly, spermicides, fabric softeners, or laundry detergents.

• Skin conditions, such as eczema, dermatitis, and psoriasis.

• Allergies to medicines, such as tetracycline and sulfa drugs.

The following factors may make you more likely to develop this condition:

• Being an uncircumcised male.

• Having diabetes.

• Having other medical conditions, including liver cirrhosis, congestive heart failure, or kidney disease.

• Having infections, such as candidiasis, HPV (human papillomavirus), herpes simplex, gonorrhea, or syphilis.

• Having a tight foreskin that is difficult to pull back (retract) past the glans penis.

• Being severely obese.

• History of reactive arthritis.

Symptoms of this condition include:

• Discharge from under the foreskin, and pain or difficulty retracting the foreskin.

• A bad smell or itchiness on the penis.

• Tenderness, redness, and swelling of the glans penis.

• A rash or sores on the glans penis or foreskin.

• Inability to get an erection due to pain.

• Trouble urinating.

• Scarring of the penis or foreskin, in some cases.

You may also have blood tests to check for:

• Viruses that can cause balanitis.

• A high blood sugar (glucose) level. This could be a sign of diabetes, which can increase the risk of balanitis.

Treatment for this condition depends on the cause. Treatment may include:

• Improving personal hygiene. Your health care provider may recommend sitting in a bath of warm water that is deep enough to cover your hips and buttocks (sitz bath).

• Medicines such as:

  • Creams or ointments to reduce swelling (steroids) or to treat an infection.

  • Antibiotic medicine.

  • Antifungal medicine.

• Having surgery to remove or cut the foreskin (circumcision). This may be done if you have scarring on the foreskin that makes it difficult to retract.

• Controlling other medical problems that may be causing your condition or making it worse.

Medicines

• Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.

• If you were prescribed an antibiotic medicine, use it as told by your health care provider. Do not stop using the antibiotic even if you start to feel better.

General instructions

• Do not have sex until the condition clears up, or until your health care provider approves.

• Keep your penis clean and dry. Take sitz baths as recommended by your health care provider.

• Avoid products that irritate your skin or make symptoms worse, such as soaps and shower gels that have fragrance.

• Keep all follow-up visits. This is important.