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Hey Doctor, The Last Couple Of Weeks I’ve Had Balanitis

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Posted on Tue, 26 Feb 2019
Question: Hey doctor,

The last couple of weeks I’ve had balanitis. I’ve mainly had symptoms of burning when I pee, smegma sticking to my foreskin when trying to pull it back, red and inflamed foreskin/glans and a smelly odour. My doctor prescibed me steroid/antifungal to start off with along with advising me proper hygiene methods that I wasn’t really doing. This first cream really help retract my foreskin smoothly, but aftter about 5 days of use my foreskin started to go redder and it has been since. I was then prescibed just the antifungal on it’s own which I had for 3 days, I didn’t really find any relief with this at all it just burnt my foreskin and made it super itchy so I stopped using that about 3 days ago now and have just left it. I went back to my doctor and she precribee me something called Mupirocin 2% but I am however concerned about using it as it’s an antibiotic and I’ve had bad past personal experiences with antibiotics but I’ve never used a topical one before. What are the risks of using a cream like this especially on the foreskin? Could they just possibly make things even worse? I also did a bunch of tests which I’ve attached that came out negative also for infection so could that make it unlikely?
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. P. T. Patil (0 minute later)
Hey doctor,

The last couple of weeks I’ve had balanitis. I’ve mainly had symptoms of burning when I pee, smegma sticking to my foreskin when trying to pull it back, red and inflamed foreskin/glans and a smelly odour. My doctor prescibed me steroid/antifungal to start off with along with advising me proper hygiene methods that I wasn’t really doing. This first cream really help retract my foreskin smoothly, but aftter about 5 days of use my foreskin started to go redder and it has been since. I was then prescibed just the antifungal on it’s own which I had for 3 days, I didn’t really find any relief with this at all it just burnt my foreskin and made it super itchy so I stopped using that about 3 days ago now and have just left it. I went back to my doctor and she precribee me something called Mupirocin 2% but I am however concerned about using it as it’s an antibiotic and I’ve had bad past personal experiences with antibiotics but I’ve never used a topical one before. What are the risks of using a cream like this especially on the foreskin? Could they just possibly make things even worse? I also did a bunch of tests which I’ve attached that came out negative also for infection so could that make it unlikely?
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. P. T. Patil (10 minutes later)
Just to add I am not sexually active either so I don’t think it’s anything to do with an STI but maybe more so an infection from smegma build up over time is that possible or just some sort of skin condition?
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. P. T. Patil (0 minute later)
Just to add I am not sexually active either so I don’t think it’s anything to do with an STI but maybe more so an infection from smegma build up over time is that possible or just some sort of skin condition?
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. P. T. Patil (39 minutes later)
Based on my test results and urine culture is it unlikely I have a UTI or urethritis that’s causing the burning pain when I pee?
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. P. T. Patil (0 minute later)
Based on my test results and urine culture is it unlikely I have a UTI or urethritis that’s causing the burning pain when I pee?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. P. T. Patil (55 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Need to do the Blood test to rule out Diabetes

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for query.

Based on the symptoms and reports of tests that have been carried out that you have posted redness of the glans penis, foreskin along with the collection of smelly smegma underneath foreskin is mostly due to infection of Glans Penis and Foreskin (Ballano Posthatitis).

Start taken antibiotic like Augmentin along with antifungal medication Fluconazole twice daily orally and use topical antibiotic ointment like Neosporin to be applied over glans penis and underneath foreskin .

Ensure to clean and wash your genitals with warm water twice daily.

Do write after you get your reports of blood sugar tests.

It should get cured within 2 weeks

Hope I have answered your query, please feel free to ask if you have more questions, I shall be happy to help you.

Thanks and Regards.
Dr.Patil.


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee
doctor
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. P. T. Patil (0 minute later)
Brief Answer:
Need to do the Blood test to rule out Diabetes

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for query.

Based on the symptoms and reports of tests that have been carried out that you have posted redness of the glans penis, foreskin along with the collection of smelly smegma underneath foreskin is mostly due to infection of Glans Penis and Foreskin (Ballano Posthatitis).

Start taken antibiotic like Augmentin along with antifungal medication Fluconazole twice daily orally and use topical antibiotic ointment like Neosporin to be applied over glans penis and underneath foreskin .

Ensure to clean and wash your genitals with warm water twice daily.

Do write after you get your reports of blood sugar tests.

It should get cured within 2 weeks

Hope I have answered your query, please feel free to ask if you have more questions, I shall be happy to help you.

Thanks and Regards.
Dr.Patil.


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. P. T. Patil (2 hours later)
Hey doctor,

What do you think of the topical antibiotic I was already prescribed the mupirocin 2% cream? Is it also necessary to take oral antibiotics as well? I’ve already tried the antifungal cream which was called “clotrimazole” antifungal so would it even be worth trying that again if it didn’t work the first time? With my tests showing up negative for any infection would that mean there the chance of infection is lower?
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. P. T. Patil (0 minute later)
Hey doctor,

What do you think of the topical antibiotic I was already prescribed the mupirocin 2% cream? Is it also necessary to take oral antibiotics as well? I’ve already tried the antifungal cream which was called “clotrimazole” antifungal so would it even be worth trying that again if it didn’t work the first time? With my tests showing up negative for any infection would that mean there the chance of infection is lower?
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. P. T. Patil (1 minute later)
I’ve done a diabetes tests about 6 months ago and that was ruled out for me having that.
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. P. T. Patil (0 minute later)
I’ve done a diabetes tests about 6 months ago and that was ruled out for me having that.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. P. T. Patil (4 hours later)
Brief Answer:
You need to tale antibiotic orally and topical as well.

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for follow up .
Your lab report suggests XXXXXXX positive bacterial infection hence it is always advisable to take antibiotics orally as well as topically to combat infection .

Though you have used anti fungal cream it takes long time to get the results hence you should continue using the same .

Thanks and Regards.
Dr Patil.


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng
doctor
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. P. T. Patil (0 minute later)
Brief Answer:
You need to tale antibiotic orally and topical as well.

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for follow up .
Your lab report suggests XXXXXXX positive bacterial infection hence it is always advisable to take antibiotics orally as well as topically to combat infection .

Though you have used anti fungal cream it takes long time to get the results hence you should continue using the same .

Thanks and Regards.
Dr Patil.


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. P. T. Patil (2 hours later)
The antifungal just seem to make it a lot worse though my foreskin become noticeably more redder and it made it very itchy. With the antibiotic cream is there any side effects I should watch out for I’m going to start applying it tonight and how long would it take to start to see results and work? Is there anyway I can also get smegma off my penis easier any type of oils that would help smooth it and not make it stick to my skin as easily? The steroid worked but it made my penis ache so I’d like to avoid that. I also have to go on a long flight next week about 20 hours worth of flying would I have any issues missing out on applying the cream during that time period?
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. P. T. Patil (0 minute later)
The antifungal just seem to make it a lot worse though my foreskin become noticeably more redder and it made it very itchy. With the antibiotic cream is there any side effects I should watch out for I’m going to start applying it tonight and how long would it take to start to see results and work? Is there anyway I can also get smegma off my penis easier any type of oils that would help smooth it and not make it stick to my skin as easily? The steroid worked but it made my penis ache so I’d like to avoid that. I also have to go on a long flight next week about 20 hours worth of flying would I have any issues missing out on applying the cream during that time period?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. P. T. Patil (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
There are no side effects of topical antibiotics .

Detailed Answer:
hello
Thanks for follow up .

There are no side effects of topical antibiotic cream .It will take a week or two to get the results .
.
As far as smegma is concerned to wash it gently with warm water twice or thrice daily is simple measure to get rid off it and can be easily done during flight journey.

Thanks and Regards
Dr Patil.
.
.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana
doctor
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. P. T. Patil (0 minute later)
Brief Answer:
There are no side effects of topical antibiotics .

Detailed Answer:
hello
Thanks for follow up .

There are no side effects of topical antibiotic cream .It will take a week or two to get the results .
.
As far as smegma is concerned to wash it gently with warm water twice or thrice daily is simple measure to get rid off it and can be easily done during flight journey.

Thanks and Regards
Dr Patil.
.
.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. P. T. Patil (1 hour later)
Could I trial just the topical antibiotic on it’s own to see if that will solve things and if not add the antibiotic orally in? Oral antibiotics really mess up my gut which is why I’d rather avoid it if possible. Will the cream help with the urethra pain when I pee though is there anything else I can do?
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. P. T. Patil (0 minute later)
Could I trial just the topical antibiotic on it’s own to see if that will solve things and if not add the antibiotic orally in? Oral antibiotics really mess up my gut which is why I’d rather avoid it if possible. Will the cream help with the urethra pain when I pee though is there anything else I can do?
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. P. T. Patil (1 hour later)
Also how exactly does one get an infection if they’ve never had sex I’m not even sure how I got this?
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. P. T. Patil (0 minute later)
Also how exactly does one get an infection if they’ve never had sex I’m not even sure how I got this?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. P. T. Patil (27 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Balanitis is usually secondary to improper personal hygiene

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for follow up.

Balanitis is usually secondary to a collection of smegma which results from the improper personal hygiene Taking antibiotics orally helps to eradicate infection earlier.

You may take antacids like Pantoprazole along with antibiotics so as to avoid gastric upset.

Pain in urethra while urinating will go away once the infection is controlled .

Thanks and Regards.
Dr Patil.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. P. T. Patil (0 minute later)
Brief Answer:
Balanitis is usually secondary to improper personal hygiene

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for follow up.

Balanitis is usually secondary to a collection of smegma which results from the improper personal hygiene Taking antibiotics orally helps to eradicate infection earlier.

You may take antacids like Pantoprazole along with antibiotics so as to avoid gastric upset.

Pain in urethra while urinating will go away once the infection is controlled .

Thanks and Regards.
Dr Patil.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. P. T. Patil (1 hour later)
Thanks for that doc makes sense so with this antibiotic cream can I stop using it once the symptoms go as well?
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. P. T. Patil (0 minute later)
Thanks for that doc makes sense so with this antibiotic cream can I stop using it once the symptoms go as well?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. P. T. Patil (8 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Yes you can stop using topical antibiotic cream .

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for follow up .


Stop using antibiotic cream once it gets cured completely .
Thanks and Regards.
Dr XXXXXXX


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. P. T. Patil (0 minute later)
Brief Answer:
Yes you can stop using topical antibiotic cream .

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Thanks for follow up .


Stop using antibiotic cream once it gets cured completely .
Thanks and Regards.
Dr XXXXXXX


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. P. T. Patil (39 hours later)
Thanks for that doc a couple of things with the application of the antibiotic ointment should I be applying to to the head of the penis along with the foreskin? Basically any where it’s red? The foreskin seems to be the most red spot and how much should I be applying only a small amount or?
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Follow up: Dr. Dr. P. T. Patil (0 minute later)
Thanks for that doc a couple of things with the application of the antibiotic ointment should I be applying to to the head of the penis along with the foreskin? Basically any where it’s red? The foreskin seems to be the most red spot and how much should I be applying only a small amount or?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. P. T. Patil (20 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Apply ointment to entire glans and foreskin

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for following up.

Apply ointment in adequate quantity underneath foreskin and glans cover the glans with foreskin.

Thanks and regards.
Dr Patil.


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. P. T. Patil (0 minute later)
Brief Answer:
Apply ointment to entire glans and foreskin

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for following up.

Apply ointment in adequate quantity underneath foreskin and glans cover the glans with foreskin.

Thanks and regards.
Dr Patil.

Note: Consult a Urologist online for consultation about prostate and bladder problems, sexual dysfunction, kidney stones, prostate enlargement, urinary incontinence, impotence and erectile dysfunction - Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
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Dr. Dr. P. T. Patil

Urologist

Practicing since :1971

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Hey Doctor, The Last Couple Of Weeks I’ve Had Balanitis

Hey doctor, The last couple of weeks I’ve had balanitis. I’ve mainly had symptoms of burning when I pee, smegma sticking to my foreskin when trying to pull it back, red and inflamed foreskin/glans and a smelly odour. My doctor prescibed me steroid/antifungal to start off with along with advising me proper hygiene methods that I wasn’t really doing. This first cream really help retract my foreskin smoothly, but aftter about 5 days of use my foreskin started to go redder and it has been since. I was then prescibed just the antifungal on it’s own which I had for 3 days, I didn’t really find any relief with this at all it just burnt my foreskin and made it super itchy so I stopped using that about 3 days ago now and have just left it. I went back to my doctor and she precribee me something called Mupirocin 2% but I am however concerned about using it as it’s an antibiotic and I’ve had bad past personal experiences with antibiotics but I’ve never used a topical one before. What are the risks of using a cream like this especially on the foreskin? Could they just possibly make things even worse? I also did a bunch of tests which I’ve attached that came out negative also for infection so could that make it unlikely?