Is this Balanitis? I'm 21, had it most of my whole life, no treatment has worked

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Hello, I've seen a doctor many times about a mild condition I have on my penis glans, have been prescribed 3 different creams including Betnovate and a Hydrocortisone, a course of antibiotics and a swab which said I was clear and still the condition remains. I used to have a tight foreskin up until last year which is now sorted from stretching, and I think the condition began during my teenage years when I wasn't able to wash the glans. It often feels dry and can sometmes feel slightly painful when the foreskin retracts, almost like its rubbing and the sensitivity everywhere is quite high still, not sure if this is due to the condition. The urethra opening is always red and inflamed and red areas appear frequently around the glans itself. Any advise on what I should do would be much appreciated, have attached a photo too. Many thanks!

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  • Posted

    Can you guys post here whether you have ANY kind of allergy? If you are not aware of any, can you post whether you were test-examined for allergy?

    i.e.: Allergy as hey-fever, grasses, dust, pets, various food, dress material (cotton i.e.), post also if you had any skin complications in the past (eczema, redness, etc.)

    As none the dermatologist or urologist can help us, my last post suggest you should visit Allergologist to examine you for any kind of allergy. This is best done in winter time (now), before peak season starts for allergy patients cuz they have full waiting list in that period of year.

  • Edited

    So guys, before you start posting in this thread, please make sure you have no common balanitis caused by STI, fungals, etc... that's easily cured. If nothing works, than continue with suggestions in this thread.

    Just to let you know I was though following doctors that didnt help so far, but they cleared any problem being there from their side:

    Urologist

    Dermatologist

    Gastroenterologist

    now I'm with the Allergologist trying various medicine (expensive though 😕). But it's one shot, one try per 3months, so really slow and expensive.

    Btw: If you want to have your penis like before in 24hrs, or just wanna have sexual marathon I know how to do it 😃 But its not treatment, it's just removes the symptoms. You can ask for antibiotics called Summamed (Azitromycin is active chemical) and it will remove your symptoms for the length of taking this antibiotics. Unfortunately, this is not cure, so within few days or fortnight you will get your symptoms back. Summamed is general antibiotics which seems to calm down irritation inside and outside, unfortunately it doesn't help the cause.

  • Posted

    Some more photo documentation to compare with yours, maybe will help you.

    imageimageimageimageimage

    • Posted

      That looks like what I have any diagnosis or do u have any swelling on your Meatus and into your Urethra?

  • Edited

    Same this here, sketchy sex 4 months ago and now cant get rid of the burning and soreness especially around the urethra. so sick of it - the sex wasn't even that great

    hope someone finds the answer soon!

    btw i am already circumsized and it makes no difference - still sore

  • Posted

    i have had this for 8 months now started off i could notice a bad smell coming from down there and im a really clean person, then i noticed my uruthera was stinging and looked inflamed then eventually had small lumps of discharge which has never happened again.

    the symptoms changed and everything pointed towards a UTI so i self-diagnosed and took only a week of trimethorprim which really seemed to reduce my symptoms by like 80% a few days later i had a camera put down there and my bladder looked healthy.

    now my symptoms are:

    smells down there.

    skin seems dry

    sometimes feels blocked when i wee.

    sometimes i can milk cum out of my penis.

    Meatus has changed in shape and size.

    uruthera looks inflamed but doesnt feel too bad.

    i am seeing a skin specialist at the clinic tomorrow but have no hope, i am currently 7 months without any form of sex including masturbation.

    any tips for keeping the skin healthy and reducing the smell?

    • Posted

      Please dont laugh but please check whether you getting smell from area of your penis, or it's from your belly button (sorry im not native english speaker, i mean that natural hole in our bellys). Please let me know, thank you.

    • Posted

      definitely not its either my penis leaking something or the skin sweating due to it being damage/dry.

  • Edited

    Can't say that I am happy finding this thread; which means I probably have the same problem with no resolution to date. My problem started after a rough night of sex with a female friend. Pretty sure at some point in the ordeal there was some form of trauma which my urethra hole received a small tear. I was having a burning at the tip along with swollen urethra lip for lack of better words and redness along with inching and like a sticking or burning feeling (didn't come to notice for probably a week or two after) I didn't know what I was feeling or when at first. I thought my pubic hard was sticking me.I did not realize the tear near the bottom of the hole until heading back to my 2nd appointment complaining there was still a problem.No STI found urologist stated everything looks normal. I know my body and my urethra is torn or ripped (pee doesn't come out exactly the same all the time and doesn't stop as well ; leaks a little extra; proof to me the hole changed) the whole is not the same as before this happened. So I know there was Trauma. Anyway Urologist prescribed Triamcinolone Acetonide Cream USP did not help. I went to my primary and she had me try Ketoconazole Cream witch also doesn't help. Next, went to my dermatologist she stats the glans penis is normal but wants me to try EpiCeram I think she said acute dermatitis) which I have not tried yet.After reading through all these post depending on the day and maybe what underwear or pants I wear how excited or active or just normal life I have noticed all the same as you guys: Painful, Sensitive, Red, Purple Rim, Lip Meatus Swollen. Pain comes and goes all day everyday. The less movement I do the less I feel pain. There is not a day that goes by that I don't feel some sort of discomfort.Some days are better than others. Its completely ruined my relationship to where I refuse to be with anyone else until I know what it is.Hopefully through persistence we will figure this out together.I am circumcised so I agree with Steve580 this has nothing to do with that.I leaning more towards Trauma and/or HPV that I read about on other threads however, I have no proof. There is no test to find out a person’s “HPV status.” Also, there is no approved HPV test to find HPV in the mouth or throat.

  • Posted

    anybody found out anything new on this ?

    • Posted

      Nothing new... I went back to my urologist for a third time to show him (all these men with what appears to be the same trauma problem) I showed him all the pictures and mine with the redness that is still here along with small lip bump/skin for many months all he said is I'm sorry everything appears normal to me and there is nothing I can do for you. You will have to find another doctor. I was dumbfounded as he is what must be 67yrs old urologist doctor and had no comment or suggestion.Other then your fine and Good Luck with you situation that doesn't look like anything to me.

  • Posted

    visited the skin specialist today, she wasnt too concerned about my skin but found pus in my urine which has been sent off for testing, maybe my symptoms are being caused by a UTI as my urine is really cloudy again.

    anyone else checked their urine?

    • Edited

      The Dr. checked my urine on each of my three visits and it was clean and he even commented you have extremely good clear quality urin.I can tell you that since I started reading these post I have changed a few things what has helped lesson the burn/itch.I stopped washing my member with soap and or shampoo. I only use the running water in the shower.I wear much looser jeans with nice soft cotton underwear that have supportive pouch ultimately having less friction keeping it dry and not washing with soap also trying not to get aroused have all help with lessening any pain. Also, when using the bathroom I now unbutton my pants to take it out instead of maybe accidentally hitting my zipper or pulling it thru the underwear opening as I have done my entire life. The less trauma or friction really goes along way in helping.

  • Edited

    mine looks very similar to Trinity's. That slightly wrinkled look on glans and irritated. As Headtrauma stated, I kind of narrowed it down to trauma or HPV. My research said there are 100's of different types of human pappiloma virus.

    I've been using this following formula to reduce my symptoms, no pain, looks more normal:

    1. Wash penis glans with wet paper every time after urinating and then dry off with dry paper
    2. Urinate after ejaculation to clear urethra and use same cleaning and drying procedure in step 1 after
    3. Wear tight supportive underwear during day, underwear that has a ball pouch that keeps them snug and less jostling around during the day
    4. sleep naked at night so everything can relax naturally while no movement
    5. wrapped ice pack on groin testicle area at night to reduce the inflammation

    Was thinking of taking 400mg of Advil twice daily also to try to reduce inflammation for a 30 day trial.

    i think with whatever initial trauma or cause, the whole area gets inflamed, and once inflamed the inflammation perpetuates itself cause its harder to urinate etc.

    So basically my overall strategy is to try to eliminate any irritant that would cause inflammation and to reduce inflammation overall.

    Has anyone had a CT scan, x-ray or MRI of their groin area to see if there's any abnormalities?

    • Posted

      i have had CT scans, and dye test done, everything is normal from what the docs tell me

    • Edited

      hi thanks for answer on photos as these are best to compare our problem. (never thought i will be comparing penises with other guys, lol).

      However, HPV is STD (sex. transmitted/transfered disease) and this IS NOT the cause. I've been checked for HPV and Im negative. All those five points are not gonna help you, unfortunately. Go and have yourself checked for HPV.

      Yes, also CT scan/MRI negative, you can opt that out. Let's be constructive guys, dont repeat what have been stated, so we don't go in circles.

      FACT: We have unknown problem that no single doctor on this planet can cure/diagnose yet.

      FACT: No help from urologist, dermatologist, gastroenterologist, trying allergologist now.

      FACT: this is not STD, not HPV, not fungal/yeast infection

      FACT: this is not typical balanitis that is usually possible to cure with antifungal/antiyeast/stereoids creme.

      FACT: No smell, not any weird liquid going out of urethra.

      FACT: no problem with urine, no problem with blood (tested)

      //

      Question: I'm not getting your feedback on whether you guys

      1. been checked with allergologist (just one answer I believe) on any kind of allergy
      2. if you had any other skin disease/problematic skin nowadays or in your childhood

      P.S.: One more finding, when I'm ill. Like sore throat, mucus in nose, normally ill from cold you know what I mean. Symptoms get worse. You probably noticed sometimes its better sometimes worse. So there is definitely something which regulates the intensity of symptoms. We need to investigate and collaborate to if not to find the cure, so at least we could minimize symptoms to zero.

    • Edited

      hey Bro

      similar issues here... full std screening (all clear) full blood tests (sll clear).

      my glans is constantly sore/aching the after burn from urination comes and goes but can be quite intense when it happens, i have although also suffered with lower abdominal pain also, i was diagnosed with an enlarged prostate last week and am currently on meds to try sort this out (im a week in now and no change), doc seemed to think the prostate issue could well be causing the issues on my penis tip.... will keep you all up to date on what happens.

      D

    • Posted

      i have a strange smell and ill attach a picture of my urine that had pus in.image

      weird thing i have all the other symptoms youve mentioned.

    • Edited

      andrew07798 Has anyone had a CT scan, x-ray or MRI of their groin area to see if there's any abnormalities?

      not yet.

      Also, When mine happened I am almost sure it was because the rubber did not have the extra space in the tip. Meaning with each trust it pulled on the tip of my member and I think this is when the tip got a crack/tear ultimately traumaits only like 1/2mm very small but never the less something that is not normal for my opening.

      Another though would be are we allergic to some type of lotion. For instance Astroglide water-based liquid personal lubricant. Could we be allergic to Glycerin, propylene glycol, or polyquaternium 15 . Has anyone else used this stuff or something simular what are the ingredients?

      BTW, I just read the back of the condom pack.Contains spermicidal lubricant.

      The spermicide, Nonoxynol-9 reduces the number of active sperm, thereby-decreasing the risk of pregnancy. Manufactured by Church & Dyight Co .Could Nonoxynol-9 be causing this problem for us?

      found this on google search: Nonoxynol-9, an ingredient in spermicide, may irritate sensitive genital tissues, especially if you use it several times a day. That irritation increases your risk for HIV and other STDs because it gives infections an easy pathway into your body. And some people are allergic to spermicide.

      The things you learn after the fact. Fact, I have a Vasectomy (no need to try to kill my sperm) so there is no reason I should have bought Condoms with Nonoxynol-9 (who the freak knows this) as I'm not trying to protect a woman from getting pregnant.Holy s**t! seems I'm actually increasing my chances of catching something by using a condom with Nonoxynol-9 . Agrrrrrr!!!!! the exact things I thought I was adding protection from. I hope someone learns from this POST!!!!

    • Posted

      donkey1234 pardon my ignorance but when you say "my glans are constantly sore/aching" are you talking about in your neck?My throat has been a little sore and seems like there is always something in there itchy and at time swallowing seems just a little obstructed. I find my self feeling my neck so I know I think something must be going on. However, its never kept me from eating its just an annoyance that I feel more often then I would like. I have started gargling with warm salt water to see what happens. BTW, I did have oral sex with girl when the trauma also happened. Not trying to get off subject as i don't know if this is from just being sick recently with aches all over. I did not get checked for Flu but heard lots of people have it. My ear at times have a mild ache. BTW, my lips seem to tingle a little at times. I'm wondering if I have two problems.glans penis like the rest of you and maybe a food allergy

    • Posted

      I'm circumcised so balantis isn't my issue here, but I have slight redness at the tip but all the feeling and this happened to me 1 time. My penis tip looked like you put salt on a snail and even I peed 30 minutes later it was gone.

      So much testing done, finally got the urologist to say it's prostatitis and I'm on a 6 week cycle of cipro. I'm 4 weeks in and have little improvement, but I'll usually go 3 days where it's barely noticeable, the 3 days where I can barely get comfortable.

    • Posted

      prostatitis, I'm on week 4 of a 6 week cycle of cipro with minimal effect. Read my reply below for all the details.

    • Edited

      by Glans i mean my penis tip/bellend mate.... but yes i have had a weird dry throat... almost feels like im constantlyon the verge of losing my voice

    • Edited

      Just like this problem it won't go away either. Did you 69 her? I think this is where it came from for me to. I'm convinced its 1 of the 100 strands of HPV.

      The below information was found on Medical News Today website.

      What to know about HPV in men?

      Although most men affected by HPV do not show any symptoms, some develop growths or warts.

      These may occur on the:

      penis

      testicles

      anus

      groin and thighs

      tongue and top of the mouth

      Genital warts can be small or large, flat or raised, or cauliflower-shaped.

      They might appear as a bump or group of bumps in the area surrounding the penis, anus, or genitals.

      These warts do not often hurt but can be unsightly.

      HPV is not cancer, but the infection can cause changes in the body that may lead to cancer.

      A doctor may not diagnose cancer for years after a person has HPV because the changes in the cells HPV has infected build up very slowly.

      The symptoms of HPV-related anal cancer include:

      bleeding, discharge, pain, or itching of the anus

      swelling of the lymph nodes in the anal or groin area

      changes in bowel habits or the shape of stools

      Penile cancer can lead to:

      tissue changes on the penis, such as color, skin thickening, or tissue buildup

      painful or painless sores or growths on the penis that might bleed

      Cancer of the back of the throat can trigger:

      constant sore throat or ear pain

      persistent coughing

      trouble breathing or swallowing

      weight loss

      voice changes or hoarseness

      lumps or growths in the neck

      Medicine has not yet found a way of distinguishing temporary HPV from HPV that could progress into cancer.Found on Medicale News Today website: Although most men affected by HPV do not show any symptoms, some develop growths or warts.

      what do you all think about this find? defiantly plausible

    • Posted

      she gave me oral but i didnt give her.... i suppose hpv is a possibility but never heardvof it causing such symptoms. can hpv cause an enlarged prostate..... is it possible my prostate issue is unrelated to my penile issue?

    • Edited

      Seems like you have something different than us. OR you have combination of two problems. Focus on your prostate first and you ll see if you get rid of symptoms. Please let us informed.

    • Posted

      I had this condition before any sexual activity, if others is the same as mine it rules out infection from sex etc

      but it might not be the same condition as mine, Its hard to tell if everyone is suffering from exactly the same condition on this forum

    • Posted

      yes its the same for me. I was also uncircumcised until the age of 21 and now I am 25 and it is still present . I thought circumcision will solve it but it didnt change anything, except that I solved the tight foreskin problem

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