Patient's question:
For a while now, I've noticed that my glans is particularly dry, and it seems to have some flaky stuff falling off, like dandruff. I also feel itchy and painful. Is this balanitis? Please ask: How should I treat balanitis?Doctor's answer:
A small red spot on the glans is a typical symptom of balanitis, which refers to inflammation of the inner foreskin and glans. A lipoidal 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 balanitis. The basic principle of Western medicine treatment is anti-inflammatory and antibacterial. Generally, both topical and systemic treatments are used. For acute superficial balanitis and annular purulent balanitis, erythromycin and tetracycline are the drugs of choice. For trichomoniasis-induced balanitis, metronidazole is the drug of choice. For Candida-induced balanitis, griseofulvin or itraconazole is commonly used for treatment.