Conditions
Balanitis: causes and treatment
Balanitis is swelling of the head of the penis and the foreskin, usually in uncircumcised men. It can come from yeast, bacteria, irritating soaps, an STI or poorly controlled diabetes. In a discreet video visit, the doctor evaluates you and, if appropriate, prescribes a cream and we send your prescription to your pharmacy in Puerto Rico. If needed, she gives you a lab order.
Is it an emergency? Call 911.
Is this an emergency?
This is not an emergency service. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room if you have:
- The foreskin is pulled back and will not go back over the head of the penis (paraphimosis)
- You cannot pee
- Sudden, severe pain or swelling in a testicle
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At a glance
Balanitis
Common symptoms
- A red, swollen, itchy or sore head of the penis
- Bad-smelling discharge under the foreskin
- Pain in the penis and foreskin
- Pain when you pee
- Trouble pulling back the foreskin
- Other names
- Inflammation of the glans · Balanoposthitis
- Usual test
- Glucose and hemoglobin A1c by lab order, if it keeps coming back
- Treatment
- Antifungal cream, antibiotic or mild steroid cream, only when the medical evaluation calls for it
- Possible complication
- Paraphimosis: the foreskin gets stuck behind the head of the penis
On this page(10)
What is balanitis?
According to MedlinePlus, balanitis is swelling of the foreskin and the head of the penis (glans). The most common cause is poor hygiene in uncircumcised men, but yeast (thrush), bacteria, harsh soaps, a tight foreskin and some STIs also cause it.
Poorly controlled diabetes counts too: according to the UK National Health Service (NHS), high sugar in the urine encourages yeast. Puerto Rico has the highest rate of diagnosed diabetes in adults of any US state or territory, according to the CDC, so if balanitis keeps coming back, it is worth checking your blood sugar.
Balanitis symptoms
According to MedlinePlus and the NHS, the most common symptoms are:
- A red, swollen, itchy or sore head of the penis
- Bad-smelling discharge under the foreskin
- Pain in the penis and foreskin
- Pain when you pee
- Trouble pulling back the foreskin
How we care for balanitis by video
You see Dr. Diana Nieves Castro, MD, a Puerto Rico–licensed general practice physician with several years of emergency-department experience. No judgment, in English or Spanish. Join from a private place; visits are not recorded.
The doctor asks how long you have had it, which soaps or products you use, whether you have diabetes and about your partners. If she needs to see the area, it is done only through the secure visit link; do not send photos by email or text message. If appropriate, the doctor prescribes and we send your prescription to your pharmacy.
If balanitis keeps coming back, we give you a lab order for glucose and hemoglobin A1c, and the doctor may order STI tests. See type 2 diabetes and STI testing and treatment.
Your doctor
Dr. Diana Nieves Castro, MD
General practice physician
Several years of emergency-department experience.
Founding Executive Director of The Health Initiative.
Your visit in 3 steps
Request a visit online 24/7 — we confirm your time by email or text.
Request your visit.
Book a visit and choose "Doctor visit". You pay by card when you request it.
See the doctor by video.
We send you a secure video link. It works on your phone, tablet or computer.
Get your plan.
If appropriate, the doctor prescribes and we send your prescription to your pharmacy. If needed, you get a lab order.
Price
A doctor visit costs US$79, the same price for every age, with no membership. You pay by card when you request the visit, and you get a full refund if the visit can’t take place. The lab charges for tests separately. See all prices.
Video visit
Doctor visit
US$79
For a new problem, urgent care (non-emergencies), primary care, children, birth control, STIs, skin and acne, and visitors. Includes a doctor's note if you need one.
- You’re charged when you request the visit.
- Full refund if the visit can’t take place
Balanitis treatment
Treatment depends on the cause. According to MedlinePlus and the NHS, it can be an antifungal cream, an antibiotic cream or pills if bacteria are the cause, or a mild steroid cream when it comes from a skin condition. The doctor chooses the right one for your case.
If it does not improve with treatment or keeps coming back, the doctor refers you to a urologist in person. According to MedlinePlus, in severe cases circumcision may be the best option.
If your partner has symptoms, such as vaginal itching or discharge, they need their own evaluation: see vaginal yeast infection.
Home care
The NHS recommends:
- Wash your penis every day with warm water, gently pulling back the foreskin.
- Do not use soap or shower gel on the area while it is irritated.
- Dry it gently and well after washing.
- Wash your hands before going to the toilet or touching the area.
Balanitis in children
Boys can get balanitis too. The doctor evaluates your child by video with you on camera and decides whether an in-person exam is needed. Patients under 21 need a parent or legal guardian on camera for the whole visit, with ID. According to MedlinePlus, do not pull back a baby’s or young child’s foreskin to clean it: it can injure it.
When to go to the ER
For your safety, go to the emergency room or call 911 if you have any of these signs. See when to go to the ER.
- The foreskin is pulled back and will not go back over the head of the penis (paraphimosis)
- You cannot pee
- Sudden, severe pain or swelling in a testicle
How we care for you
We evaluate, diagnose and treat; if needed, we give you a lab order for a lab near you.
We see adults and children of all ages. Patients under 21: a parent with patria potestad (parental authority) or a legal guardian is on camera for the whole visit and shows photo ID.
Real-time video visit. We send you a secure video link. It works on your phone, tablet or computer.
If appropriate, the doctor prescribes and we send your prescription to your pharmacy. We do not prescribe controlled substances.
You must be physically in Puerto Rico during the visit (visitors, tourists and cruise passengers are welcome).
In an emergency, call 911.
Frequently asked questions
Is balanitis an STI?
Can you prescribe balanitis treatment by video?
Why does my balanitis keep coming back?
When is balanitis an emergency?
About this page
Author: The Health Initiative
Medical care provided by Dr. Diana Nieves Castro, MD (PR license 24027)
Disclosure: Founding Executive Director of The Health Initiative
Published: 2026-10-02 · Updated: 2026-10-02
Sources (5)
- Balanitis (MedlinePlus, NIH) (opens in a new tab) (accessed 2026-10-02)
- Balanitis (NHS) (opens in a new tab) (accessed 2026-10-02)
- Phimosis and paraphimosis (NHS) (opens in a new tab) (accessed 2026-10-02)
- Care for the uncircumcised penis (MedlinePlus, NIH) (opens in a new tab) (accessed 2026-10-02)
- Prevalence of diagnosed diabetes by state and territory (CDC, Preventing Chronic Disease, 2024) (opens in a new tab) (accessed 2026-10-02)