Balanitis - Symptoms

The symptoms of balanitis can vary in severity and you may not experience all of them.

Symptoms include:

• red skin, swelling or irritation and soreness around the head of your penis (glans) or the foreskin
• thick discharge under the foreskin
• a rash or ulcers (sores)
• itchiness
• an unpleasant odour
• a tight foreskin that will not retract (pull back); the medical name for this is phimosis
• pain when passing urine

When to seek medical advice

While balanitis is not usually serious, it can be a sign of another condition, such as a sexually transmitted infection (STI) or thrush (a type of fungal infection).

It is therefore important to visit your GP or your local sexual health or genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinic.

You should also visit your GP if your son develops balanitis. They may require prescription-only medication, such as antibiotics. Your GP can give advice on cleaning the head of the penis, particularly under the foreskin.