Patient's question:
While taking a bath 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 as smoothly as usual. When I went to the hospital for a check-up, they said it was balanitis. Please ask: What are the causes of balanitis?Doctor's answer:
Balanitis is more common in adolescents and children. It is often caused by excessive foreskin, smegma, and bacterial infection when local hygiene is not paid attention to, leading to the accumulation of dirt inside the foreskin and subsequent illness. In the early stages, mild cases may only present with redness of the glans and inner foreskin, accompanied by itching. Severe cases may involve pain and tenderness; later, superficial ulcers may develop inside the foreskin, with yellow or cheese-like discharge, often accompanied by a foul odor. Significant local redness and swelling can interfere with urination and cause dysuria. Balanitis is entirely preventable. Maintaining good hygiene habits and performing circumcision for those with excessive foreskin or phimosis (where the foreskin cannot be retracted) can help prevent it. Excessive foreskin and recurrent balanitis are very common.