Swollen Penis Tip (Foreskin) Treatment - Causes & Risks

What Causes A Swollen Penis?

You may have a swollen penis for multiple reasons, including allergies, a penile fracture, etc. Additional causes of swollen penis include:

Balanitis

Balanitis is an inflammation of the glans (head) of the penis. When the head of the penis gets swollen and sore, it most likely means you have balanitis. Balanitis impacts approximately 3–11% of males. Some of the most commonly seen symptoms of balanitis include redness or discoloration, swelling, itchiness, pain with urination, etc. Treatment for balanitis mainly involves a mild steroid cream, antifungal cream, and antibiotics.

Allergic reaction or irritation

If a penis comes in contact with something you are allergic to or that leads to irritation, you can experience swelling on the penis. Other symptoms of allergic reactions are itchiness, redness, rash, or discoloration. If you experience an allergic reaction, it is essential to discontinue using the product that causes it. 

Phimosis

Phimosis is a condition defined as the inability to retract the skin that covers the head of the penis. It is common in infants. In older children, it can be due to a skin condition that causes scarring. In adults, phimosis is linked to sexually transmitted infections (STIs). In general, phimosis is only a major health concern if it causes symptoms like redness or discoloration, swelling, soreness, and a problem urinating if the foreskin blocks the urine flow. 

Posthitis

If only the foreskin is swollen, you might have posthitis. Posthitis is inflammation of the foreskin, and excessive fungus growth often causes it. Also, posthitis often develops with balanitis. Some of the symptoms of posthitis include soreness, redness, tightness, smegma formation, etc. 

Balanoposthitis

Generally, posthitis and balanitis occur together. This medical condition is known as balanoposthitis. Balanoposthitis is inflammation of both the glans and foreskin. In comparison to balanitis, balanoposthitis is less common. It causes penile swelling along with redness, pain, smelly discharge, itching, etc. 

Paraphimosis

Paraphimosis is a medical condition where the foreskin cannot return to its original position over the tip of the penis. It causes the foreskin to gather like a tight rubber band and can obstruct or stop blood flow to the tip of the penis. Potential treatment options for paraphimosis include using a local anesthetic gel on the penis to relieve pain and inflammation. If the foreskin does not get back to its original position, circumcision is the surgical treatment to release the foreskin. 

Priapism 

Priapism is a medical condition that causes prolonged, painful erections without stimulation. Priapism is common among people who use intracavernosal treatment for erectile dysfunction. Other causes of priapism are blood disorders like leukemia, alcohol or illegal drug use, tumors, etc. Priapism may go away on its own. However, certain types of priapism need aspiration to drain the excess blood. Medication and a surgical shunt are other treatment methods for priapism.

Risks Involved In Undergoing Surgery To Treat Swollen Penis

Circumcision is the surgical procedure of removing the foreskin from the penis. Before undergoing any surgical procedure, it is crucial to know the risks and complications involved. 

Listed below are some of the risks and complications linked with circumcision surgery that you should be aware of:

• Bleeding: Bleeding is the most commonly experienced complication of circumcision. 
• Infection: Infection is a rare complication of circumcision when done under sterile conditions. Sometimes, the yellowish scabs on the foreskin where adhesions were removed or around the cut edge are often confused with infection. However, they are part of the normal healing process.
• Foreskin issues:  Complications with the foreskin might occur after circumcision is performed to treat a swollen penis. The surgeon can leave the foreskin too short or too long, leading to other medical problems such as a foreskin infection.
• Adhesions: Adhesions refer to areas of the foreskin stuck to the glans. During circumcision, these adhesions must be lysed for the foreskin to be removed entirely. If adhesions are not wholly lysed, the circumcised part of the foreskin can be drawn up over one section of the corona, making an asymmetric appearance.
• Necrosis of the Penis- Necrosis is a very rare complication of circumcision. Still, it has been noted as a complication of circumcision in treating swollen penis.
• Balanitis xerotica obliterans (BXO)- BXO happens when the skin on the glans gets hard and changes to white. This hard tissue can make it challenging for urine and semen to flow through the urethra.
• Inclusion Cysts– As the surgical site after circumcision is healing, inclusion cysts may develop along the cut edge. These cysts are majorly formed from smegma collecting in the incision. These cysts can be asymptomatic or can become infected.