Balanitis is when the head of the penis is swollen and sore. It's not usually serious but it's important to see a GP to find out what's causing it.

With balanitis, the head of your penis is usually swollen, itchy and sore. It usually looks red, but this may be less obvious on brown or black skin.

Other symptoms can include:

• pain when peeing
• a thick discharge that comes from under your foreskin
• bleeding around your foreskin
• an unpleasant smell
• difficulty pulling back your foreskin – though in young children it's normal to have a tight foreskin

See a GP if:

Sexual health clinics can help with balanitis

Sexual health clinics treat problems with the genitals.

Many sexual health clinics offer a walk-in service, where you do not need an appointment.

They'll often get test results quicker than GP surgeries.

Find a sexual health clinic

If you have symptoms of balanitis, a doctor or nurse will look at your penis and ask you a few questions.

If your symptoms are severe, they may suggest a blood test to check for conditions that can lead to balanitis, such as diabetes.

They may also wipe a cotton bud over the head of your penis to test for infections.

Treatment for balanitis depends on what's causing it.

A GP may prescribe:

• a mild steroid cream or ointment
• an antifungal cream or ointment
• antibiotics

If you or your child keeps getting balanitis and medicine has not helped, circumcision (surgery to remove the foreskin) may be considered.

Causes of balanitis include:

• not washing your penis properly
• some young boys have a very tight foreskin (phimosis), which means they cannot pull it back to clean under it
• thrush
• a sexually transmitted infection (STI) such as gonorrhoea or chlamydia – if a STI is suspected you may be referred to a sexual health clinic
• substances such as soap, shower gels or condoms may irritate the skin
• diabetes – high levels of sugar in your pee can cause thrush