How to treat balanitis and prevent it from returning

Balanitis is the inflammation of the head of the penis. It is not a medical condition in itself however it can occur due to: a genital infection (due to UTI or STI), irritation, poor hygiene or uncontrolled underlying health conditions. 

It can be treated depending on its severity through a range of methods including home remedies, topical creams (antifungals or antibiotics) or oral medications.

Balanitis can be prevented through healthy practices like practicing good hygiene, practicing safe sex, avoiding irritants or allergens on the penis and managing any underlying health conditions.

You can buy balanitis treatments for men or other treatments for men’s health from Meds For Less; safely, easily and reliably and expect home delivery in the next 24 hours.

What Is Balanitis?

Balanitis is a viral infection, the primary symptom is inflammation of the head of the penis (the glans penis), it can happen to anyone and at any age, however it is more common in uncircumcised men due to the presence of foreskin which can trap bacteria and moisture.

Common Symptoms of Balanitis

• Redness or swelling at the head of the glans penis – the head/tip of the penis
• Tenderness, itching or pain in the genital area
• Foul smelling discharge
• Difficulty retracting the foreskin (in phimosis)
• Pain during urination (in some cases)

Causes of Balanitis in Men

There are some different causes of classes of balanitis in men, these come under the following categories:

• Poor hygiene – such as the buildup of sweat, urine and Smegma (Stale sperm)
• Infections such as:
  • Fungi (Candida), especially in diabetics or those affected by antibiotics
  • Bacterial
  • Viral (Herpes)
• Irritants or allergens such as soaps, lotions, condoms or spermicides
• Skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis or lichen sclerosus
• Sexually transmitted infections.

Balanitis itself is not a diagnosis, it is a sign of another underlying condition/problem, adverse reaction or poor hygiene.

Effective Treatment Options

There are a range of different treatment for balanitis options including topical creams, oral medicines and home remedies, some of these include:

Topical antifungal and antibiotic creams:

Some topical antifungal and antibiotic creams and treatment options for Balanitis include:

Balanitis Antifungals treatment (for infections such as Candida):

These are often prescribed if redness, itching or discharge are present and are meant to be applied 1-2 times a day for 7-14 days.

• Clotrimazole 1% (Brand name: Canesten)
• Miconazole 2% (Brand name: Monistat)
• Ketoconazole

Cream Antibiotics for balanitis cure treatment (for Bacterial infections):

These are used if there is yellowish discharge, foul odour or confirmed bacterial growth.

• Mupirocin (Brand name:Bactroban)
• Fusidic acid

Oral medications:

There are also some oral medicines to treat balanitis such as Oral antifungals, antibiotics or antivirals.

• Oral antifungals such as Fluconazole (150 mg single dose) is common for yeast balanitis that does not respond to creams.
• Oral antibiotics such as Amoxicillin or Cephalexin can be used if there is confirmed bacterial infection
• Oral antivirals such as acyclovir can be used for viral infections that cause balanitis 

Home remedies:

Some good home remedies for how to get rid of balanitis include:

• Good hygiene- wash gently with warm water, avoid harsh soaps or detergents, and dry thoroughly thereafter.
• Saltwater soaks – Salt water soaks can be an effective way to treat Balanitis add 1 teaspoon of table salt to lukewarm water to create a saline solution, then submerge the genital area for 10-15 minutes
• Avoid irritants such as this can include things such as scented soaps, lotions, spermicides or tight underwear.
• You may use some naturally soothing agents such as:
  • Coconut oil is also another popular home remedy. Coconut oil has soothing and antifungal properties which 
  • Aloe Vera is also a popular home remedy for treating Balanitis. Aloe Vera has soothing properties, however you should test on a small area first. 

Can Balanitis Go Away on Its Own?

Some cases of Balanitis (especially if caused by poor hygiene or irritants) can resolve on their own, or with minor lifestyle adjustments. Mild cases like this do not require any medication. The answer to the question “Do balanitis go away ?” does depend on the severity of the condition.

The cases of balanitis which require treatment usually include:

• Fungal infections – common for diabetics or uncircumcised people
• Bacterial infections which can cause swelling, discharge or pain
• STI or viral causes such as herpes
• Skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis or lichen sclerosus

Why Balanitis Keeps Coming Back

Recurrent balanitis can be a frustrating concern. It usually indicates an underlying unresolved issue. Some common reasons that balanitis that keeps coming back is:

• Incomplete or incorrect treatment of balanitis options such as:
  • Using the wrong cream (such as steroids for fungal infections)
  • Stopping treatment too early
  • Not treating sexual partners (for fungal or STI causes)
• Fungal overgrowth (Candidiasis):
  • This is common in diabetics or uncircumcised men
  • It often reoccurs if foreskin isn’t cleaned or dried properly
• Poorly controlled diabetes:
  • High blood sugar feeds the yeast or bacteria that can cause balanitis
  • Too much hygiene with harsh soaps can damage the skin barrier and predispose to infections
• Allergens or irritants
  • Scented soaps, condoms with spermicide, lubricants and laundry detergents can irritate the penis head and cause inflammation
• Sexually transmitted infections
  • Recurring sex with partners who have STIs can predispose to balanitis

Tips for Balanitis Prevention

Here are some effective tips for preventing balanitis:

Practice Good hygiene:

• Wash the penis daily with warm water, especially if the foreskin is uncircumcised
• Avoid harsh soaps or scented products in the genital area as this can irritate the penis skin and cause balanitis.

Dry thoroughly:

• After gently washing the penis, gently pat it dry, especially under the foreskin if uncircumcised

Wear loose, breathable underwear

• Use cotton underwear and avoid tight fitting pants to prevent sweating or friction

Manage any medical conditions

• Control blood sugar levels if you have diabetes as high sugar can increase the risk of infections
• Address any skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis with the guidance of a doctor

Practice safe sex

• Use condoms during sex to reduce the risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
• Urinate after sex to help flush out any pathogenic microbes.

If you are experiencing recurrent balanitis despite good hygiene and good balanitis prevention methods, please speak to your healthcare advisor for advice.

When to See a Doctor

You can normally treat balanitis with over the counter creams or home remedies however if you keep getting balanitis, it persists or is severe, you should consult your healthcare provider. You should see a doctor for balanitis if you experience any of the following: 

Urgent symptoms:

• Severe pain, swelling or redness
• Foul smelling discharge or pus
• Blisters, ulcers or sores
• Painful urination or trouble peeing
• Fever (which may be a sign of spreading or systemic infection)
• Inability to retract the foreskin (phimosis)
• Cracking or bleeding skin 

Recurring or persistent symptoms:

• Balanitis that keeps coming back or stays persistent despite treatment
• Symptoms that last for more than 3-5 days with home remedies
• Over the counter (OTC) creams don’t improve the condition

If you have High risk conditions:

• Poorly controlled diabetes
• Over sexually active people with exposure to STIs
• Pre-existing skin conditions (like eczema or psoriasis).

A doctor can help you get a confirmed diagnosis for balanitis using urine tests, swab tests around the genitals and blood tests for blood sugars or STIs. They can provide you medicine and advice on balanitis how to cure it and tips for preventing recurrence.

Final Thoughts

Balanitis is a minor conditiation and there are several balanitis treatment men available but it can cause significant discomfort if left unaddressed.

It can be caused by poor hygiene, irritants as a consequence of sexually transmitted infections or a chance infection due to poor underlying health

They key to preventing it depends on:

• Preventing hygiene
• Avoid irritants
• Safe sex

Treating balanitis requires Prompt medical treatments such as:

• Topical creams
• Oral antimicrobials
• Home remedies

FAQ