Patient's question:
Hello! I noticed some patches on my glans, and the colors are different. There's also a white substance around the edge of the glans, which can't be washed off. Is this condition caused by balanitis? If it is balanitis, what should I do to improve it?Doctor's answer:
A small red spot on the glans is a typical symptom of balanoposthitis, which refers to inflammation of the inner foreskin and glans. A lipid substance normally secreted in the foreskin cavity can accumulate as smegma under conditions of phimosis or excessive foreskin, irritating the foreskin and glans to cause balanoposthitis. The basic principle of Western medicine treatment is anti-inflammatory and antibacterial. Generally, both topical and systemic treatments are used. For acute superficial balanoposthitis and annular purulent balanoposthitis, erythromycin and tetracycline are the first-line treatments. For trichomoniasis-induced balanoposthitis, metronidazole is the preferred treatment. For Candida-induced balanoposthitis, griseofulvin or itraconazole is commonly used. For patients with balanoposthitis, timely treatment can reduce the recurrence of the condition.