The course of treatment depends on the cause of the infection and may require a combination of self-care measures with medical advice to ensure proper healing:

• Use a moisturizing cream or an emollient to clean the penis.
• Use lukewarm water only to clean the penis and then dry the foreskin gently.
• When infection is present, the use of a salt bubble bath can soothe the penis.

However, treating balanitis is mostly about eradicating the causes behind the infection.

• Antifungal creams: Doctors prescribe these creams, such as the clotrimazole cream, for treatment of treat of yeast infections that cause balanitis.
• Antibiotics: These are ideal for the treatment of sexually transmitted diseases causing balanitis. The antibiotic will depend on the nature of the infection. The doctor will most likely prescribe a cream or tablet.
• Diabetes management: Properly controlling blood sugar levels will strengthen the body’s immunity. A doctor will help provide measures on managing the sugar levels in case of recurring symptoms of balanitis.
• A mild steroid cream: It reduces inflammation in the balanitis caused by allergies or irritants. Sometimes this cream is used plus anti-yeast or antibiotic medication to reduce inflammation caused by infection. However, in case of inflammation or infection of the end of the penis’ head, a doctor would not prescribe this cream should not be used alone, as steroids can make the infection worse.
• Circumcision: In the case of recurring symptoms of balanitis, circumcision is best recommended especially for males with a tight foreskin.

There are a few recommendations of what not to do when you already have a balanitis infection including

• Having sexual intercourse can aggravate the symptoms of balanitis and cause further damage to the sensitive infected glans or foreskin.
• Using harsh or any type of cream, soaps, and lotions can make also make the symptoms of balanitis worse.

Recommended foods

There are several foods that we can eat to help in the treatment of the infections causing balanitis. These foods boost our immune and balance the bacteria already present on the glans.

• Yogurt: It is a natural probiotic. Adding yogurt with live bacteria to our diet promotes good germs growth, which fights infections such as candida or thrush.
• Garlic: Known for its antibacterial plus antifungal uses, incorporating garlic into our diet can help balance the bacteria causing yeast infections that lead to balanitis.
• Apple cider vinegar: it acts as an antifungal against the Candida species of yeast. It can be sour and acidic, and it is recommended to either mix it with a little bit of water or drink it with a straw. Its side effect can be stomach irritation.