Patient's question:
When taking a shower at night, I noticed a white ring around the head of my penis, and it seemed a bit wrinkled and red. Recently, I also found that I wasn't urinating smoothly. When I went to the hospital for a check-up, they said it was balanitis. I'm asking: Which hospital is better to go to for checking the redness and swelling of the head of the penis?Doctor's answer:
(1) Acute superficial balanoposthitis. Initially, there is local redness, with the skin of the penis becoming red and swollen, and a sensation of heat and itching in the glans. When retracting the foreskin, it is evident that the inner surface of the foreskin and the glans are congested and disordered, with exudate and even broken skin. Secondary infection may lead to small ulcers with foul-smelling creamy purulent discharge. Pain is felt upon friction with underwear, and patients often experience difficulty in movement. It may be accompanied by swelling and tenderness of the inguinal lymph nodes.(2) Circumferential purulent balanoposthitis. On the glans and foreskin, there are erythemas that gradually expand in a ring-like pattern, forming superficial ulcerative surfaces.
(3) Candidal balanoposthitis. The foreskin and glans show erythema with a smooth surface and small vesicles. Recurrent episodes of foreskin redness and swelling occur, with clearer margins of the erythema. During acute recurrences, there may be congestion and exudate.