Symptom Balnitis is often a symptom of herpes. People with diabetes can help to prevent balanitis by carefully controlling their blood sugar. Balnitis is caused by irritants on the head of the penis or on the foreskin. Balanoposthitis is the medical term used for inflammation of both the foreskin and the glans of the penis. The main cause is usually due to an infection, which can be bacterial or fungal in nature. If glucose is present in urine, some of it may remain on the foreskin.
Phimosis is rare in teenage and adult males. Any irregularities on or around the genital area can cause panic. Finally, it is important to have protected sex with your partner if already experienced balanitis due to sexually transmitted infection previously. Pseudoepitheliomatous keratotic and micaceous balanitis: characterized by scaly, wart-like skin lesions on the head of the penis. Alternatively, a slit may be cut along the top of the foreskin to separate it from the penis. A case—control study of risk factors associated with Zoon balanitis in men.
The doctor may also take some swabs before the commencement of antibiotics so we can test for the organism that is causing the infection. The warm and moist condition underneath the foreskin is highly suitable for the yeast to breed and multiply. When boys reach the age of 5 years, the foreskin becomes easy to retract, and the risk of balanitis falls. With the foreskin always in the forward position, the lack of aeration and irritation caused by smegma and discharge around the glans penis can lead to inflammation and infection. It is a very common condition and affects one in twenty males. If the inflammation appears to be due to an allergic reaction or irritant, the doctor may prescribe a mild steroid cream, such as one percent hydrocortisone, for the swelling. It is recommended to use a mild soap to clean the area, but make sure to rinse off the soap thoroughly.
Prevention Men who are uncircumcised should practice good hygiene, including fully retracting the foreskin during bathing. This may include a topical cream, which needs to be applied to the genitals. A complication we see in recurrent balanitis is Constricting Phimosis, where the foreskin can get tighter and tighter. Balanitis usually clears up within a week. Other cause of balanitis include Diabetes: Diabetes may exacerbate the risk of infections. In some cases, a biopsy may be done, in which a sample of the inflamed skin is taken and sent to the lab for testing. In case of an infection, the doctor may prescribe an antibiotic or antifungal medication to help clear it, which will help with inflammation, swelling, itching, and discharge.
A woman who has vaginal thrush can infect a man, increasing the risk of developing balanitis. Knowing the difference between the two is very important. Different factors are responsible for the occurrence of balanitis such as tight foreskin, uncircumcised penis, as well as unhealthy hygiene. In Atlas of Male Genital Dermatology pp. This includes cookies from third party social media websites and ad networks.
The head of the penis and the foreskin are involved causing inflammation. The infection and inflammation are mainly associated with certain yeast, bacteria, or virus. Due to increased levels of urine glucose, some of the urine which is retained on the penis aids in the production of bacterial rapidly causing infection of the foreskin. Apart from that, several causes attributed to the condition. This condition generally occurs in men who are uncircumcised and it is estimated that around 6% of the uncircumcised male face this problem. Apply it to the affected area two to three times daily for 10 days.
However, you can change your cookie settings at any time. In genital herpes blisters, burning with urination, itching, and swelling are common. This is a common condition that may affect as many as 1 out of 10 males and can occur in males at any age. Infection with Candida albicans is the cause. There are any reasons the skin around the genitals can become inflamed or irritated.
To prevent infections, the head of the penis and the foreskin should be kept clean and dry. It is generally accompanied by another condition called posthitis, which is inflammation of the foreskin. You can consult your doctor to find ways to improve your hygiene. If this condition is ignored, sweat, dead skin tissue and cells, as well as oil from the genitals get accumulated under the foreskin causing irritation, as well as germs, multiply. Zoon Balanitis: misdiagnosis or missed diagnosis?. Proper personal hygiene, control of diabetes and other chronic medical disorders and weight reduction for patients who are obese can also reduce your risk of balanitis as well.