Balanitis is a skin irritation on the head of the penis (glans) that can be caused by an infection, allergic reaction, or an underlying skin condition. If you have balanitis, you may be able to identify the cause by looking closely at your lifestyle and existing medical conditions. For example: if you do not wash under your foreskin, urine and sweat can collect there and irritate the head of the penis chemicals that directly or indirectly come into contact with your penis, such as soap, latex condoms, lubricants or washing powders can also cause balanitis if you are sexually active, sexually transmitted infections, such as herpes, chlamydia and gonorrhoea may lead to balanitis sometimes, bacteria and yeast that naturally live on the skin can multiply and cause an infection that leads to balanitis. This is more likely if you have diabetes, phimosis, or if the head of your penis is already irritated skin conditions, such as psoriasis, can sometimes cause balanitis