Patient's question:
Hello! I have found patches on my glans with different colors, and there is a ring of white substance around the edge of the glans that cannot be washed off. Is this condition caused by balanitis? If it is balanitis, could you please tell me what causes balanitis?Doctor's answer:
Phimosis and balanitis refer to the inflammation of the inner foreskin and glans penis. A lipid substance normally secreted in the foreskin cavity can accumulate as smegma in cases of phimosis or paraphimosis, irritating the foreskin and glans to cause balanitis. Drug allergy-induced balanitis is a delayed-type allergic reaction and is quite common in clinical diagnosis. It is recommended to try a 1:5,000 potassium permanganate solution for cleaning to see if it improves. This condition is also related to personal hygiene neglect or a diet high in spicy foods that cause diarrhea. For patients with balanitis, timely treatment can reduce recurrence. If left untreated, it may affect overall health. Therefore, patients should seek timely symptomatic treatment and pay more attention to self-care in daily life, avoiding spicy foods. Wishing you a speedy recovery.