Hi @LMH963 here is more information on balanitis: https://www.healthline.com/health/balanitis

Did your doctor give you any guidance as to how long until it resolves? How long have you been having symptoms?

Thanks for the information. I have a follow up appointment with doctor in about 4 weeks.

what causes balanitis and what is the best over the counter medication?

There are a few causes. The website indicated in Ethan’s note has good information. I was instructed to use Lotrimin.

Hi @lloyd12345, As @LMH963 mentioned, Ethan provided a good article about balanitis above. Here's another one from Harvard Medical
– Balanitis https://www.health.harvard.edu/a_to_z/balanitis-a-to-z

Excerpt:
"Balanitis is an infection or inflammation of the skin on the head (glans) of the penis. …
A variety of infections and skin conditions can cause balanitis. These include:
– Infections with yeast (Candida) or bacteria that live on the skin (the most common cause)
– Sexually transmitted infections, such as herpes simplex
– Irritation of the skin by soap, detergents or spermicidal jelly
– Benign (noncancerous) skin conditions such as psoriasis
– Some types of skin cancer (very rare)

Treatment depends on the cause."

Have you discussed this with you medical provider?

Hello,
I visited an urologist online and he recommened me to get a urine and semen for banalities as well as warts. However, I visited the Quest diagnostic site and they don't have those tests.
1-How can I get those tests?
2-Would it be also possible to order them online?

Hi Mysteryman, and welcome to the Men's Health group. You'll notice that I moved your message to this existing discussion about balanitis. I did this so you can connect with others like @lloyd12345 and @LMH963, who may be able to answer your questions about where to get tests for confirming the diagnosis of balanitis.

Balanitis can usually be diagnosed during a physical examination because most of its symptoms are visible. If you have discharge, your doctor may take a sample of it with a cotton swab or collect a urine sample. They will check it for the presence of bacterial or fungal cells. This helps determine the cause of the balanitis. When the cause of balanitis is a chronic skin condition, your doctor may perform a biopsy.

Usually, a healthcare provider can diagnose genital warts simply by looking at them.

Did your doctor not give you a lab requisition form to take to a diagnostic lab? The requisition form will outline the specifics of the urine and semen analysis the lab should do.

Coleen, thank you. Yes, I do have a form. So I can take it to any lab and they'll know what to do?

They should. You can call ahead to the lab you wish to go to and confirm.

Newbie Question: Is there a doctor or doctors on the Mayo Clinic who specialize in the foreskin? A friend told me that if I wanted to learn more about the foreskin(like if I have warts) to see a dermatologist? But I wanted to know if there was a doctor or doctors who specialize in Urologic Dermatology? For instance, I'd like to get a circumsition and wanted to see a doctor or doctors who could address both the dermatologyical and urological side.