Balanitis is the swelling of the head of the penis owing to infection or another reason. The disease can be uncomfortable and occasionally painful, but it is not generally serious. It can be treated with medicines.
A common condition, almost 1 in every 30 males get affected by the disease, but boys under 4 years and men who haven’t been circumcised are more vulnerable. Phimosis, a condition where the penis’s foreskin is too tight, is also likely. When boys turn 5, the foreskin becomes easily retractable, and the risk of balanitis reduces.
Women can also have balanitis, but this piece will only focus on the disease related to men.
Treatments of Balanitis
The cause determines the treatment for balanitis. In the majority of cases, the doctor will direct about what substances to shun, and focus on the importance of hygiene.
Allergic reaction of Balanitis
Balanitis can be treated by antifungal creams. If the tenderness seems to be owing to an allergic reaction or irritant, you may be prescribed a mild steroid cream for the swelling. The doctor may also recommend an antifungal or antibiotic medication, which may be readily available, or can be purchased online.
If an infection occurs, the patient should avoid using a steroid cream on their own. During treatment, you should avoid soaps and all other irritants, until signs and symptoms have completely gone.
Bacterial infection of Balanitis
If a bacterial infection occurs, the doctor will recommend an antibiotic, such as erythromycin or penicillin. If there is no infection and no aggravation has been recognized, a dermatologist may be referred to.
Recurrence of Balanitis
Circumcision is the only solution if the patient’s foreskin is tight and the balanitis keeps returning. Otherwise, a gash may be cut along the top of the foreskin to detach it from the penis. Warm water is also very effective in helping manage the symptoms.
Complications of Balanitis
Treating the infection is easy, but in some cases complications are likely. For example, the opening of the penis may be damaged, blood supply to the penis may be insufficient, etc. If balanitis is not treated for a long time, the foreskin of the penis cannot retract. The outlook of the treatment will be better if the disease is cured earlier.
Symptoms of Balanitis
Here are some prominent symptoms of the disease.
- Tight, glossy skin on the head of the penis
- Inflammation around the head of the penis
- Irritation, tenderness, tingling of the glans
- A dense, clumpy discharge under the foreskin
- An unpleasant odor
- Painful urination
- Distended glands near the penis
- Lesions on the glans
Tenderness, irritation, and discharge may happen under the foreskin 2 to 3 days following sexual intercourse.
Types of balanitis
There are three types of balanitis:
Zoon’s balanitis: swelling of the head of the penis and the foreskin; it typically impacts middle-aged to older men who have not undergone circumcision.
Circinate balanitis: generally happens due to reactive arthritis.
Pseudoepitheliomatous keratotic and micaceous balanitis: pigeonholed by crusty, wart-like skin abrasions on the head of the penis.
Home remedies for Balanitis
Only cleanliness of the penis and good hygiene can prevent balanitis from happening. Therefore, you should clean your penis every day and avoid using soap or anything that could worsen the infection. Following urination, dry the foreskin of the penis gently.
Causes of Balanitis
Share on Balanitis, which impacts the head of the penis, can result from a number of conditions, such as infection with Candida, the most common reason.
Balanitis can also be caused by other infections including bacteria that can grow swiftly in the humid and warm conditions under the foreskin. Sexually transmitted infections and skin conditions are also the major causes of the disease. Only in rare cases has the infection been linked to skin cancer.
The risk of the infection can be reduced if the penis is washed daily and carefully; however, undue genital washing with soap may worsen the condition. Diabetes raises the risk of infections, particularly if blood sugar levels are ill controlled. If urine has the presence of glucose, some of it may stay on the foreskin. Glucose helps bacteria grow more swiftly.
Phimosis occurs when the foreskin is too tight, and it is hard or unbearable to withdraw it, or pull it back, completely over the glans. Sweat, urine, and other elements can gather under the foreskin, leading to irritation and proliferation of germs. Teenagers and adult males are rarely affected phimosis. Unguarded sex, poor sanitation, and having a urinary tube also raise the risk.
Diagnosis of Balanitis
Your physician can diagnose balanitis by detecting the soreness and swelling of the glans. The patient may also be advised on possible nuisances and how to circumvent them, and how to maintain cleanliness of the penis. Teenage and adult patients will also be asked about use of any latex condom and sexual activity.
The medic must inspect the skin for any dermatosis, or skin disease, that can involve the genital area.
If the balanitis does not go away after dodging possible nuisances, the practice of good sanitation, or treatment for a yeast infection, some diagnostic tests may be ordered.
Possible tests include:
- A gauze from the glans to examine for infection in the laboratory
- A urine test, if diabetes is suspected
- A blood test to find out glucose levels
A biopsy may rarely be done, in which a sample of the swollen skin is taken and sent to the lab for examination.
Prevention of Balanitis
Proper hygiene and keeping the foreskin of the penis dry can help prevent infections. Daily washing, with special focus on cleaning the penis, is vital.
Some useful hygiene tips are as follows.
- The foreskin should be retracted so that the head is exposed.
- The area should be washed meticulously and softly with warm water. Soap may annoy, so it should be circumvented.
- A skin cream or some other neutral nonsoap disinfectant may be used, but it should be totally rinsed off.
- The glans should be totally dry before the foreskin is replaced.
- Men with a proclivity to develop balanitis after sex ought to wash their penis after conducting sexual activity.
Avoiding irritants of Balanitis
- If symptoms appear to be linked to substances present in condoms or lubricants, there are condoms available for sensitive skin.
- It is best to use non-biological washing powder for underwear and to make sure all the detergent is rinsed out. People who work with chemicals or have traces of potential irritants on their hands should wash them before using the bathroom.