l If you have recurring balanitis and have For Further Information: a phimosis, then an option is to be cir cumcised to remove the foreskin. If there Phone the Department Department are images in this attachment, they will of Sexual Health on 01202 704536, not be displayed. Download the original and ask to speak to a Health Advisor. attachment Alternatively phone Can balanitis be NHS direct on 0845 4647 prevented? or visit www.nhsdirect.co.uk Tips which may help to prevent some cases Balanitis of balanitis include: l Wash the glans each day. Pull the fore Our mission skin back gently whilst in the bath or Providing the excellent care we shower. Then gently clean the glans would expect for our own families. using just water, or water and an emollient such as Dermol or Hydromol. Department of Sexual Health Make sure the penis and glans are The Royal Bournemouth Hospital, totally dry before you put on underpants. Castle Lane East, Bournemouth, l If symptoms are related to condom use, Dorset, BH7 7DW try using a condom which is designed The Bournemouth Hospital Charity raises funds for the Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals to enhance for sensitive skin. (Ask your pharmacist patient care and purchase items which directly benefit patients for advice.) and staff above and beyond that which can be funded by the NHS alone. If you would like to contribute to the l Wash underwear with non-biological Bournemouth Hospital Charity please contact them on 01202 704060, email [email protected] detergents and rinse well. or visit www.bournemouthhospitalcharity.org. l Wash your hands before going to the If you have any queries or concerns about your care toilet if you work with chemicals which at the Royal Bournemouth and Christchurch Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, the Patient Advice and Liaison Service can irritate delicate skin. (PALS) would be happy to help you and can be contacted on 01202 704886/704301 or [email protected].

If you would like this leaflet printed in a larger font, please contact the Communications Team on 01202 704905 during the office hours of 8.30am-5pm Monday - Friday.

Author: Dr Cordelia Chapman. Department of Sexual Health Date: June 2017 Version: Four Review date: June 2020 Ref: 354/07 Department of Sexual Health

Website: www.rbch.nhs.uk Website: www.rbch.nhs.uk Website: www.rbch.nhs.uk What is balanitis and what l Have diabetes. People with diabetes are l Over-washing or scrubbing may also are the symptoms? more prone to infections, particularly irritate the skin of the penis. candida. l Balanitis is an inflammation of the end of Chemicals spilt on your hands may be l the penis (the glans). Often the foreskin is Have a phimosis. This is a condition transferred to the penis when you go to also inflamed at the same time as the glans. where the foreskin does not retract (pull the toilet. Balanitis is common, and it can occur at any back) over the glans. You are more likely l Some washing powders or fabric age. It is not usually serious. to get a balanitis if you have a phimosis conditioners that are not rinsed well as sweat, debris and urine may collect from underpants. Symptoms include redness, irritation, and under the foreskin. This can irritate soreness of the end of the penis. It can directly, or can encourage germs to Do I need any tests? range from a small patch of redness, to the thrive and cause infection. Not usually. Most cases can be diagnosed whole glans becoming red, swollen and l Have sex with a woman who has vaginal just by looking at the skin. Sometimes the painful. Sometimes there is a thick clumpy thrush. doctor will recommend further tests if the discharge which comes from under the cause is not clear. foreskin. Some sexually transmitted infections may cause balanitis. For example, genital herpes You may have some pain when you pass What is the treatment for and syphilis. urine. balanitis? What can cause balanitis? Skin conditions Treatment depends on the cause. Salt Certain skin conditions may cause a baths are soothing whilst treatment takes Infection balanitis, or be mistaken for a balanitis. effect. l Various germs that live on the skin in For example, psoriasis. An anti-yeast cream is the most common treatment as most cases are due to small numbers may multiply and cause Allergies and irritants infection. The most common infection is a candida. yeast called Candida (the same germ that The skin of the glans is sensitive. It may l Antibiotics will clear infection caused by causes vaginal thrush in women). Some become inflamed if it comes in to contact bacteria. with various chemicals or other substances. types of bacteria are also a common cause l A mild steroid cream to reduce For example: of balanitis. inflammation is useful for balanitis l If you do not wash under your foreskin, An infection of the glans is more likely to caused by allergies or irritants. old skin, urine, sweat, and other ‘debris’ develop if you: Sometimes a steroid cream is used in can collect there. This may irritate the addition to anti-yeast or antibiotic l Already have some inflammation of the glans and may lead to inflammation. medication to reduce inflammation penis due to an allergy or irritant (see l Certain soaps and disinfectants may caused by infection. below). irritate your skin.

Website: www.rbch.nhs.uk Website: www.rbch.nhs.uk Website: www.rbch.nhs.uk