Balanitis: symptoms, causes, and medication • hello healthy

Definition

What is balanitis?

Balanitis is swelling and pain or irritation of the skin and head of the penis. In uncircumcised men, this area is covered by a fold of skin known as the foreskin. This condition tends to be more common in men who are not circumcised.

Balanitis can be painful but is not a serious condition. This can be treated with topical medications.

How common is this condition?

Balanitis is a common condition that is more at risk in men who have not been circumcised. However, this condition can also occur in men who have been circumcised.

You can prevent your risk of developing balanitis by reducing risk factors and maintaining good personal hygiene. Always consult your doctor for more information.

Signs & symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of balanitis?

Some of the most common signs and symptoms of balanitis include:

Redness and swelling at the tip of the penis or the foreskin
Pain and difficulty urinating
Foul smelling discharge
And there are red nodules on the scalp of the penis

If balanitis is not treated, it can irritate the shaft of the penis and can cause blisters and ulcers. There may be signs and symptoms not listed above. If you have concerns about a particular symptom, consult your doctor.

When should I see a doctor?

Balanitis is less serious but could be an indication of another, more problematic illness, such as an infection that is sexually transmitted or a yeast infection. It is necessary to tell your doctor if you have signs or symptoms of balanitis. If your baby has balanitis, you should immediately take him to the pediatrician for examination.

Cause

What causes balanitis?

Balanitis is an inflammation that is usually caused by an infection or chronic skin condition. This condition often occurs because it is caused by poor penis hygiene in uncircumcised men.

Quoted from Healthline, bad hygiene includes inadequate cleaning or even too much cleaning.

Balanitis is often caused by an overgrowth of bacteria or yeast. The foreskin or foreskin is the ideal place for bacteria or yeast to grow because it can trap moisture around the head of the penis.

Injury to the tip of the penis can cause swelling and discomfort. Apart from that, irritation to the area is also a cause of balanitis. Irritation can be caused by bad habits on the penis, as listed below:

Do not rinse soap completely from the penis after bathing
Use a scented soap to clean your penis
Using a bar soap that can dry out the penis skin
Using a scented lotion or spray on your penis

Some laxatives, sleeping pills, painkillers, and antibiotics can also cause balanitis as a side effect. Apart from that, balanitis is a condition that can also be caused by the following things:

Arthritis
Uncontrolled diabetes
Sexually transmitted infections, such as syphilis, trichomonas, and gonorrhea.

Risk factors

What increases my risk for balanitis?

There are many risk factors for balanitis, such as:

Poor personal hygiene
Yeast infection
People with reactive arthritis
Patients with untreated diabetes or uncontrolled blood glucose when they have diabetes
Sexually transmitted diseases such as herpes or gonorrhea.

Complications

What complications might occur with this condition?

Get treatment right away to reduce your chances of getting complications. Complications that may occur if balanitis is not treated are:

Scar tissue at the opening of the penis
Pulled foreskin
Inadequate blood supply to the penis

Allergic dermatitis can be the cause of balanitis which makes you itchy, rash, and inflamed skin. This inflammation can lead to scarring.

Scar tissue on the penis can make the opening narrow. This can cause prolonged discomfort and difficulty urinating.

Treatment

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor.

What are my treatment options for balanitis?

Treatment depends on the age, cause, and whether a person is sexually active and whether he has been circumcised. Treatment can be done by pulling back the skin of the tip of the penis and soaking the affected area in warm water.

Mild cases also need antibiotic cream for areas affected by balanitis. Men with more severe cases or diabetes can take antibiotics. Sometimes a corticosteroid cream is given to reduce swelling. Surgery is rarely performed.

Recovery time depends on the causes and symptoms that appear in the patient. In simple cases, symptoms may resolve or even disappear within 5 to 10 days. In complex cases, full recovery may take longer.

Quoted from Harvard Health Publishing, once treatment is started, you do not need to avoid sex, even though sexual contact can cause inflammation in the affected area. In rare cases, sexual contact can pass the infection back and forth between partners.

If this happens, your partner may also need medication at the same time to prevent further balanitis episodes.

In uncircumcised men, circumcision can prevent recurrent infections, especially in men who have a tight, hard-to-pull foreskin.

What are the usual tests to diagnose this condition?

To determine a proper diagnosis, your doctor may perform the following tests:

Medical history and physical examination
Laboratory tests of stool samples to determine if the infection is fungal or bacterial
Blood test to determine if there is a sexually transmitted infection

Home remedies

What are some lifestyle changes or home remedies that can be used to treat balanitis?

Here are lifestyle and home remedies that can help you deal with balanitis:

Adopt good personal hygiene habits

This is done by regularly cleaning the penis by pushing the back of the genital sac and cleaning the tip of your penis.

Avoid irritation

This can be done by cleaning the penis with harsh chemical soaps, moisturizing creams or lubricants.

Use condoms

Always use a condom when having sex.

Use soap with safe ingredients

Try mild, safer soaps to see if they help relieve symptoms.

Call your doctor if you have an emergency

Contact your doctor immediately if you experience the following conditions:

Swelling becomes severe even after treatment
Your condition has not improved in 3 or 4 days
You have trouble passing urine or if you see blood or pus in your urine
Balanitis can usually come back. You can perform circumcision (if you haven't) if you have repeated balanitis.

If you have any questions, consult your doctor for the best solution to your problem.