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, what are the initial symptoms of balanoposthitis?Doctor's answer:
Balanoposthitis refers to the inflammation of the inner foreskin and the glans penis. A lipoidal substance normally secreted in the foreskin cavity can accumulate as smegma in cases of phimosis or excessive foreskin, irritating the foreskin and glans to cause balanoposthitis. Balanoposthitis can be treated with an immersion in a 1/5000 potassium permanganate solution and the application of an anti-inflammatory ointment. Allergic balanoposthitis requires oral antihistamines and the topical use of corticosteroid ointments. If phimosis or foreskin edema prevents movement for immersion or drainage is poor, and if the inflammation does not subside with standard treatment, a preputial dorsal slit may be performed to facilitate drainage. Circumcision should be performed only after the inflammation has completely resolved.