Why is there red spots on the glans but not painful or itchy?

The occurrence of erythema on the glans but not pain or itching may be related to factors such as balanitis, allergic reaction, fungal infection, local irritation or balanitis sicca obliterans. It is recommended to seek medical treatment promptly for a clear diagnosis and avoid self-medication.

1. Balanitis

Non-infectious balanitis may only present as erythema without obvious discomfort, and is often related to poor local hygiene or chemical irritation. It is necessary to keep the perineum clean and dry every day and avoid using irritating lotions. If combined with bacterial infection, you can use erythromycin ointment or mupirocin ointment as directed by your doctor, while fungal infection requires clotrimazole cream.

2. Allergic reaction

Contact with allergenic substances such as condoms and detergents may cause contact dermatitis, which manifests as well-defined erythema. Suspected allergens need to be stopped immediately, washed with warm water and then applied with hydrocortisone cream. Severe allergies require oral administration of loratadine tablets.

3. Fungal infection

In the early stages of a Candida infection, only red patches may appear, along with white discharge. The diagnosis requires fungal microscopy, and miconazole nitrate cream or itraconazole capsules are used for treatment. The partner needs to be treated simultaneously to prevent cross-infection.

4. Local stimulation

Excessive friction or irritation from clothing materials can cause mechanical erythema. It is better to wear loose cotton underwear and avoid strenuous exercise. Vaseline can be applied topically to protect the skin barrier.

5. Balanitis sicca obliterans

It is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by atrophic leukoplakia with erythema, and may later develop urethral meatus stricture. A dermatological biopsy is required to confirm the diagnosis, and topical tacrolimus ointment can be used to control the development in the early stage.

Daily care should be taken to clean the glans and the inside of the foreskin with warm water every day and avoid using alkaline shower gel. Choose breathable cotton underwear and change them daily, and clean them before and after sex. Observe whether the erythema expands or symptoms such as scaling and exudation appear. If it does not subside or worsens for two weeks, you must go to the urology department or dermatology department for secretion testing, dermoscopy and other examinations. It is forbidden to use hormone-containing ointments on your own to avoid masking the condition.