Balanitis: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

headshot of medical editor brenda Ikeji

Medically reviewed by

Dr. Ikeji

Last reviewed: 11 Nov 2025

Balanitis is inflammation of the head of the penis, also known as the glans penis. It causes the head of the penis to become swollen, itchy, and sore, and is more common in uncircumcised men, affecting around 1 in 30 adults and 1 in 25 during their lifetime.

In this article, we’ll explore what balanitis is, common causes, how it’s diagnosed, and the available treatments.

View male thrush treatments

What's on this page?

What is balanitis?

Balanitis is the inflammation of the glans penis, the bulbous head of the penis, and usually causes pain, swelling, and itching. It most commonly occurs in uncircumcised people, regardless of age, where the foreskin has not been removed from the head of the penis.

If the foreskin is also inflamed, it’s called balanoposthitis and only occurs in people who have not been circumcised. It’s also more common if you have a tight foreskin or diabetes.

A man in jeans holding his crotch against a yellow background.

What causes balanitis?

Balanitis is caused by several factors, but the most common cause is poor personal hygiene, leading to a candidal infection. Candida is a fungal infection, the same fungus that causes thrush in men. The warm, moist environment under the foreskin, as well as a buildup of smegma, urine, or discharge, creates the perfect environment for candida to thrive and cause balanitis.

Balanitis can also be caused by bacterial infections, including streptococcus and staphylococcus, as well as sexually transmitted infections (STIs), like chlamydia and trichomonas.

Other causes of balanitis include:

  • irritants, including perfumed soaps and shower gels, fabric conditioners, spermicides, and petroleum jelly (Vaseline)
  • allergic reactions to latex condoms and contraceptive jelly
  • underlying health conditions, such as diabetes, skin disorders, and being overweight or obese
  • long-term antibiotic use
  • overwashing
  • trauma

Symptoms of balanitis

The most common symptoms of balanitis are:

  • swelling
  • itchiness
  • soreness of the head of the penis

The glans penis may appear red, but this can be less noticeable on darker skin tones.

Other balanitis symptoms include:

  • pain when going for a pee
  • bleeding around the foreskin
  • a thick discharge from under the foreskin
  • an unpleasant smell
  • difficulty pulling back the foreskin

Several skin conditions can mimic the symptoms of balanitis, such as:

doctor icon

It’s important to get a diagnosis from a doctor to find out if you have balanitis or another condition – this way, you can get the appropriate treatment.

How to tell if balanitis is fungal or bacterial?

A doctor may be able to tell whether balanitis is fungal or bacterial based on the appearance of the infection.

For example, if a fungal infection caused by Candida albicans is suspected, you may have small, itchy, or sore papules on the head or shaft of the penis and scrotum. You may also notice dry, dull red areas of skin with a glazed appearance.

If balanitis is caused by a bacterial infection, you may notice the following signs:

  • pain and redness of the glans penis
  • swelling
  • thick, milky, and foul-smelling discharge

A doctor may collect a sample using a cotton swab and rub it over the head of the penis to test for the presence of a fungal or bacterial infection.

Can balanitis keep coming back?

Yes, balanitis can keep coming back, particularly if the underlying cause is not treated or addressed, or if there are contributing factors, like poor hygiene, allergic reactions, or underlying conditions. However, balanitis can be easily treated and prevented.

Diagnosing balanitis

If you have balanitis symptoms, a doctor or nurse will examine your penis and ask you some questions about your symptoms, lifestyle, and health. They may also swab the head of your penis to see if balanitis is caused by a fungal or bacterial infection.

If your symptoms are severe or you are considered high risk, your doctor may also perform or recommend:

  • blood tests to check for underlying health conditions like diabetes or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
  • an STI test if they think you may have an STI or have been exposed to one, such as a chlamydia or gonorrhoea test

Treatment for balanitis

Balanitis can be easily treated, but the treatment will depend on the underlying cause. They can include antifungal or antibiotic cream, mild steroid creams to avoid inflammation, or improving hygiene.

Some of the common medical treatments for balanitis are:

Mild steroid cream

Mild steroid creams like topical hydrocortisone 1% cream or ointment may be prescribed for 2 weeks if inflammation is causing you discomfort.

Antifungal cream

For fungal balanitis, a topical antifungal cream can be applied directly to the area to stop the production of ergosterol, a main part of the fungal cell membrane. This kills the fungus, such as candida, that causes balanitis. Examples of antifungal treatments for balanitis include clotrimazole.

You can request balanitis treatment with Superdrug Online Doctor. Here’s how it works:

  1. You’ll need to fill out a short consultation about your symptoms, as well as send some confidential pictures of the affected area.
  2. Our doctors use this information to diagnose and prescribe treatment, without you needing a face-to-face appointment. We can only prescribe treatment if balanitis is caused by candida.
  3. If your doctor believes it's caused by something else, they can let you know what to do next, such as seeing your GP if you need further testing or treatment.

If your symptoms are severe, you may be prescribed antifungal tablets, such as fluconazole.

Antibiotic cream or ointment

For a mild bacterial balanitis infection, you may be given a topical antibiotic ointment for up to 10 days to kill the infection-causing bacteria.

For more severe infections, a doctor may prescribe antibiotic tablets, like phenoxymethylpenicillin or clarithromycin if you have a penicillin allergy.

For balanitis caused by Gardnerella, metronidazole tablets can be given, while streptococcal balanitis will be treated as a streptococcal infection.

When would surgery (circumcision) be recommended?

If you keep getting balanitis, then circumcision may be recommended, especially if:

  • it’s caused by lichen sclerosus (a chronic, inflammatory skin condition)
  • it causes phimosis, a condition where the foreskin cannot be fully retracted over the head of the penis

Home remedies for balanitis

In addition to medication, there are several steps you can take to help prevent or manage balanitis. They include:

✓ practicing proper hygiene, including washing daily with lukewarm water and keeping the foreskin retracted until the glans penis is dry

✓ avoiding irritants such as perfumed soap, bubble bath, or baby wipes, and using condoms suitable for sensitive skin

✓ using an emollient as a substitute for soap

✓ washing your hands before going for a pee or touching your penis

✓ wearing cotton underwear

Complications of untreated balanitis

Untreated balanitis can lead to serious complications, which may require surgery.

Getting treatment is important to prevent complications and make sure it’s properly managed, especially if you have diabetes or a weakened immune system.

Some of the complications of balanitis include:

  • phimosis – where the foreskin becomes scarred and too tight to retract, and may need surgery to correct
  • paraphimosis – a painful medical emergency that happens when the retracted foreskin is stuck behind the glans penis and cannot be pulled back
  • urinary tract infections (UTIs) – untreated balanitis may spread to the urinary tract and cause an infection
  • scarring and ulcers – long-term inflammation of the glans penis may cause scarring, which causes the foreskin to become tight
  • sepsis – immunocompromised people, such as those with diabetes or HIV, are at risk of sepsis if balanitis is caused by candida or bacteria

When to see a doctor

You should see a doctor if you have any symptoms of balanitis to get the right treatment and find out the cause. If you get any of the following symptoms, speak to a doctor:

  • a swollen, itchy, sore, or red head of the penis
  • recurrent balanitis (balanitis that keeps coming back)
  • signs that the infection may be spreading, such as a UTI or inflammation of the foreskin or the shaft of the penis
headshot of medical editor brenda Ikeji
Dr. Ikeji Medical Editor

FAQs

Is balanitis an STD?

No, balanitis is not a sexually transmitted disease or infection – it’s a condition that causes inflammation on the head of the penis that can be caused by an STI or other factors, such as poor personal hygiene, fungal or bacterial infections, or skin conditions. Balanitis cannot be passed on, but if there’s an infection causing it, that infection can be.

Can women get balanitis?

No, people with a vagina cannot get balanitis because it’s an inflammation of the glans penis. However, if balanitis is caused by an STI, such as chlamydia, the STI can be passed on to your partner.

Can balanitis go away on its own?

Mild balanitis may go away on its own, but you may need treatment if it’s more severe, or you may need to see a doctor to find out what is causing it, especially if it keeps coming back.

Can I have sex if I have balanitis?

If balanitis is caused by skin irritation rather than an infection, then you can have sex, though it’s not recommended. Having sex with inflamed balanitis can delay healing and cause pain or discomfort, so it may be better to wait until your symptoms have improved.

If balanitis is caused by an infection, you must wait until you have completed treatment so you do not pass the infection on, especially if an STI is the cause.

Is balanitis contagious?

No, balanitis itself is not contagious, but some of the underlying causes, such as STIs, can be passed on through sexual contact. So, it is important to see a doctor to get a diagnosis and avoid sexual contact until the cause has been determined.

Can balanitis cause a UTI?

Yes, balanitis can cause a urinary tract infection (UTI) if it spreads from the glans penis into the urinary tract system.

Sources

Patient Reviews

Trustpilot

Further Reading on Skin Conditions

View male thrush treatments