Suggest Treatment For Balanoposthitis

Posted on Fri, 23 May 2014

Question: I have smegma and some itchy irritation daily with a little redness as well in my penis .. please help! It has been there since around 6 months now. I wash it everyday, and sometimes with soap also.

Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Please give more history

Detailed Answer:
Hi, Mr XXXXXXX

Thanks for your query and the photographs.

This condition is called balanoposthitis.

I would have been happy to know more history like:
Are you married/ have unprotected sex?
Is blood sugar checked?
Have applied any local ointments?
Any Treatment taken till now?

I would suggest the following:

Continue cleaning with plain water as soaps may cause a local reaction in the already diseased skin lining.
There is a need of a course of an antibiotic, metronidazole and anti-fungal for you and your Partner (if you have one). FOR THIS YOU NEED A PRESCRIPTION FROM YOUR LOCAL DOCTOR / DERMATOLOGIST.

Waiting for more information from you.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. T Chandrakant (8 hours later)

Are you married/ have unprotected sex?
I am not married, but I did have sex about the same time when this condition started appearing. The condom tore during sex. Do you think this might be the reason for the same? I do not have any partner now. Is this also leading to some bigger form of STD - HIV...I am scared!

Is blood sugar checked?
No

Have applied any local ointments?
No

Any Treatment taken till now?
No

I am only washing it with plain water/ soap water. and try to keep the area dry. I do regularly masturbate... will this aggravate?

Thanks for your reply Doctor.

Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Thanks for your feedback

Detailed Answer:
HI.
Good Morning and have a Great Sunday.

Thanks for your feedback.

Well, this is balanoposthitis and a proper treatment should help you to get a cure.
This is not related to any bigger form of STD or HIV. You can definitely get this checked by laboratory tests for the same. You can go to laboratory and ask for a check-up. to rule out .

Please get the blood sugar checked immediately as in few patients ( even though young) this can be an indication of diabetes.

Local:: You can apply liquid betadine locally, nothing else please.

Wash the area with liquid betadine / water . No soaps.

Yo u can consult a local Doctor to GET A PRESCRIPTION for an antibiotic , metronidazole for 5 days and oral anti-fungal tablet (1 dose). This may give you cure. You can repeat the course after a week or so if required.

In a few cases which are resistant to this treatment- circumcision helps ( required only if medical treatment fails to heal up)

Masturbation: You can stop for a week or so. This will give time to heal. Try to avoid.

Get well soon.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D