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Warning-sign checks

Balanitis: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    Seek emergency care if:

    • You cannot pass urine
    • A retracted foreskin is stuck behind the glans and cannot be returned
    • Pain and swelling become severe or worsen rapidly
    • The skin becomes dusky, blue, black, or unusually numb
    • You are seriously unwell along with genital swelling or infection symptoms
    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
    • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
  2. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    Seek prompt medical assessment for a new sore, blister, lump, bleeding area, urethral discharge, or symptoms following a possible sexual exposure.

    A sexual health clinic can provide confidential testing and treatment.

    Contact a healthcare professional urgently if there is fever with worsening redness or swelling, pus, increasing pain, or difficulty passing urine.

    A child with penile inflammation and fever or urinary difficulty should receive urgent assessment.

  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Arrange routine follow-up if symptoms do not improve with the recommended treatment, return after treatment, or repeatedly affect the same area.

    Follow-up is also appropriate if the foreskin becomes progressively tighter or if treatment causes burning, rash, or another unexpected reaction.

The article also says

A naturally nonretractable foreskin in a child is not an emergency if the child is comfortable and urinating normally.

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Balanitis. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.