Several common symptoms of balanitis

Common symptoms of balanitis include redness, swelling and pain, itching and burning sensation, increased secretions, discomfort during urination, and local rash and ulcers.

1. Redness, swelling and pain

Redness and swelling of the foreskin and glans are typical early manifestations, which may be accompanied by persistent dull pain or tenderness to touch. This symptom is most common in bacterial infections, and Candida albicans infection may also trigger a similar reaction. Patients in the acute stage often experience aggravated discomfort due to friction from clothing, so it is recommended to wear loose cotton underwear to reduce irritation. If combined with fever, be wary of Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection.

2. Itching and burning sensation

The characteristic symptoms of fungal balanitis are severe itching and burning sensation, especially at night. Excessive reproduction of Candida can cause white curd-like secretions to appear on the local skin, and scratching may cause epidermal damage. Keeping the affected area dry and clean can help relieve symptoms, but avoid using alkaline bath products that aggravate irritation.

3. Increased secretions

Yellow purulent secretions or white tofu-like excretions can be seen in the foreskin cavity, often accompanied by an obvious odor. During gonococcal infection, the secretion is yellow-green and forms a scab after drying. Translucent mucus discharge may occur in nonspecific inflammation. Daily washing with warm water can reduce the accumulation of secretions, but it is forbidden to forcefully peel off adhesions.

4. Discomfort in urination

When inflammation spreads to the urethral opening, it may cause frequent urination, urgency, and pinprick-like pain or burning sensation during urination. In severe cases, there are precursor symptoms of urethral stricture such as thinning of the urine line and difficulty in urinating. It is recommended to increase daily water intake to dilute urine and reduce urinary irritation symptoms. Hematuria or urinary retention requires immediate medical attention.

5. Local rash and ulcer

As the disease progresses, erythema, papules, or erosions may appear, and clusters of small blisters may appear during herpes virus infection. Repeated attacks may form chronic ulcers or thickening and hardening of the foreskin. Sexual life should be suspended during treatment to avoid cross-infection. Diabetic patients need to control blood sugar to prevent recurrence.

Routinely, the foreskin and glans area should be washed with warm water every day, and dried completely after cleaning to avoid the growth of bacteria in a moist environment. Choose breathable cotton underwear and change it daily to avoid wearing tight pants that increase local friction. Reduce the intake of spicy foods in the diet, quit smoking and limit alcohol consumption to reduce vasoconstriction and affect local blood circulation. When symptoms worsen or persist, you should promptly go to a dermatology or urology department to find out the cause. It is forbidden to apply hormone-containing ointments to the affected area by yourself.