Patient's question:
These past few days, I've been constantly feeling a strange odor coming from the head of my penis. While washing it at night, I noticed a lot of white powdery substance inside the foreskin. This has never happened before. I'd like to ask the experts what this substance is and what might be causing it. Thank you.Doctor's answer:
That's smegma. Just as the skin of various parts of the body secretes sebum, the sebaceous glands of the foreskin also secrete sebum. Due to phimosis or excessive foreskin, the foreskin cannot be retracted upward, so this sebum accumulates on the inner surface of the foreskin and in the gap between the foreskin and the glans. At the same time, urine seeps into this gap and reacts chemically with the sebum, turning into smegma and producing a foul odor. The condition of the foreskin is prone to recurrence, requiring long-term medication. For male patients, it is important to seek medical treatment promptly at professional and reputable hospitals. Treatment should be considered based on the results of a thorough examination. Additionally, proper diet and abstinence from sexual activity should be maintained. Finally, we wish all patients a speedy recovery.