Ask An Expert: Balanitis

Content provided by the Faculty of the Harvard Medical School

Ask An Expert: Balanitis

Question:

Is balanitis contagious, or transmissible to a partner?

Answer:

Balanitis is an inflammation around the head of the penis. It may cause discomfort, itching and a rash with some weeping of white or yellowish fluid from the irritated skin. Balanitis occurs in both circumcised and uncircumcised men, although men who have not been circumcised are at higher risk.

Balanitis can be caused by:

• Infection

• Irritation from friction or a wide variety of products that come in contact with the penis; such as soaps, detergents and spermicidal jelly

• Skin conditions such as psoriasis

Of the infections, yeast (Candida) is one of the more common causes. This is especially true for men with diabetes. Yeast infections are not considered a sexually transmitted infection because all of us have some yeast on the top of our skin.

However, if a man has recurrent yeast balanitis or a woman has recurrent yeast vaginitis, I often recommend that the partner apply a topical antifungal cream even if no symptoms are present.

Some of the sexually transmitted infections might be confused with balanitis. A rash with blisters near the head of the penis might be mistaken for balanitis, when it is actually a sign of herpes simplex. A painless ulcer on any part of the penis should raise concern about syphilis, but syphilis does not cause balanitis.

Howard LeWine, M.D., is chief editor of Internet Publishing at Harvard Health Publications. He is recognized as an outstanding clinician and teacher and is a recipient of the Internal Medicine Teacher of the Year award at Brigham and Women's Hospital. Dr. LeWine continues to practice Internal Medicine; most recently he became a hospitalist after practicing primary care for over 20 years.

E-mail This | Print ThisSee All Ask An Expert Articles

Last updated:	January 24, 2007