Balanitis: Symptoms, Causes and Treatment Involved In It

Balanitis is an inflammation of the glans penis (head of the penis); it is relatively common and affects approximately 3-11% of males during their lifetime. Posthitis is an inflammation of the foreskin (prepuce). Balanoposthitis involves the glans and the foreskin and occurs in approximately 6% of uncircumcised males.

What is Balanitis? 

Males who have not had circumcision are more likely to get balanitis, which causes discomfort, inflammation, oedema, and irritation of the glans (head) of the penis. Around 10 per cent of men have this problem once in their lifetimes. Skin (the foreskin) from the head of the penis is removed during circumcision (the glans). A yeast infection frequently brings on Balanitis, but a bacterial or viral infection can also bring it on. It is not contagious.

Different types of Balanitis

Three types of problems can be found in men. A detailed description of their classes is as follows.

• Balanitis (also called Zoon’s Balanitis)– It causes a red inflammation in the penis in all middle-aged men and usually affects the uncircumcised.
• Circinate Balanitis is a reactive problem, a type of arthritis that develops as a side effect of an infection in the body. It also causes small sores on the head of the penis with redness and inflammation.
•  Micaceous Balanitis– It affects men who are over 60 is micaceous Balanitis. In this problem, small scaly warts occur on the glans of the penis.

Who is commonly affected by This problem

Uncircumcised males are more likely to have this issue because their warm, wet skin makes it easier for a yeast infection to spread and thrive. This problem can affect men of any age group; however, if a man has phimosis, it is more common for them. Also, the men who are at very high risk of this problem are-

• The ones who are very poor in hygiene or smegma and already suffering from infections like Paraphimosis  & Posthitis.
• If you fall in the age group of middle age or older.
• You have diabetes, as the glucose in the blood stimulates yeast growth on the skin.
• If you are overweight and obese.
• Also, it can affect you if you have had any sexually transmitted diseases.
• You have a sensitivity to certain chemicals.

How to know if you suffer from Balanitis at home

You may see redness, irritation or pain if you suffer from this problem. However, people with uncircumcised penis health are at a higher risk. So, it is better to see a doctor immediately and to know what is causing the condition problem in you. Some other medical conditions, such as HIV and other sexual diseases, can also cause redness and rashes around the penis. Thus, you must see a doctor if you see any of the symptoms.

Symptoms of Balanitis

Balanitis symptoms might develop slowly over time or strike unexpectedly. Some of the signs which may include symptoms are as follows-

• Pain during urination, or irritation and pain in the head of the penis.
• You feel itchy under the foreskin.
• Swelling in the pubic area.
• There is a foul smell and white discharge under the foreskin.
• White patches and shiny skin around the location of the penis.

When to see a doctor

Men and boys with this problem will experience skin irritation on the head of the penis. If you suspect your son has this problem, even if it’s often not dangerous, you should consult a doctor.

How to diagnose the problem of Balanitis

The doctor does a physical examination to see whether an infection is the source of the symptoms. In rare circumstances, the physician could swab you via the hole in your penis and submit it for analysis. The doctor may also advise you to have a blood or urine test to screen for diabetes and other illnesses, depending on how you respond.

Treatment options for the condition of Balanitis

The treatment majorly depends on the cause of the problem. However, some of the treatments for Balanitis can be as follows-

• Antifungal creams– If the yeast is the issue that is causing you. Then your doctor will give you an antifungal cream like clotrimazole. As the doctor says, you must apply this cream to the glands and skin.
• Antibiotics– Your condition of this problem is due to a sexually transmitted disease; your provider may give you antibiotics to help you get out of it.
• Improve hygiene– The doctor may even tell you to wash your pubic area more frequently; to reduce the risk of returning.
• Manage Diabetes– By chance, if you have diabetes with this problem, your doctor may give you medications to reduce it.
• Circumcision– This is the most common procedure the doctor suggests; for those who suffer from a tight foreskin. It is a surgical process that removes your foreskin.

Complications associated with Balanitis

If the condition of Balanitis is not recovered in time, you can have lasting effects on your health. Some of the conditions which can occur are as follows-

• Balanoposthitis– This condition can occur more in men who have a tight foreskin or have diabetes. Some signs of Balanoposthitis are swollen skin, itching and irritation.
• Balanitis xerotica obliterans (BXO)– This condition makes the skin extraordinarily tight and white. Also, this hard tissue can make it impossible for a man to urinate or pass semen.
• Phimosis– This can lead to long-term scarring and constructive foreskin; this makes the skin so tight that it can not pull back.

How to relieve the symptoms of Balanitis

• It would be preferable to take more frequent showers and draw back your foreskin daily so you can clean it.
• During your bath, try not to use harsh or irritating soaps in the pubic area.
• Make sure to dry your urine stains under the foreskin; after you urinate every time. To keep that area dry.
• The most pleasing thing you could do for your children, especially the uncircumcised ones, is to teach them to practise good hygiene.

Conclusion

Many men go through many intimate issues, which they are very ashamed of. So they generally do not discuss these problems with others. However, some online portals like Ohman constantly work to care for their health. So log on to the exit; choose the issue you are suffering from, order your favourite products and get instant results. Also, if you need any other info, check out our official page, which is “Ohman “.

Frequently Asked Question

1. How does Balanitis start?

Although bacterial infections can also cause Balanitis, fungi, such as yeast infections, are frequently the culprit. This typically occurs due to poor hygiene, mainly because the foreskin may retain moisture and create the ideal environment for developing fungi and bacteria.

2. Will Balanitis go away without treatment?

The foreskin on the penis is a common site for Balanoposthitis. Although it typically goes away on its own without therapy, it can still be unsettling, uncomfortable, and bothersome. Every day, clean your penis properly, especially the region beneath your foreskin.

3. Will Balanitis come back?

Recurrent Balanitis is a condition that keeps coming back. Your doctor may ultimately determine that you require circumcision to treat the issue. Always choose prevention over therapy.

4. Will Balanitis go away after circumcision?

Although persons who have had their penis circumcised have a 68% reduced prevalence of the disease, they can still get some types of it, such as circinate Balanitis (a kind of reactive arthritis) or herpes-related problems.

5. Can Balanitis kill you?

Even though Balanitis is primarily benign, receiving the proper care is crucial. Without treatment, significant side effects such as phimosis, a disease in which the foreskin is inflamed and unable to be drawn away from the penis head, may develop.

6. Can Balanitis cause infertility?

Chronic Balanitis causes pain and discomfort and lower sperm count and semen quality. Most males serve infertility problems that might result from this issue.

7. How to avoid this problem?

• Wash your penis every day.
• Gently pull back your foreskin and clean the area with warm water.
• Dry gently after washing.
• If you use condoms, choose condoms for sensitive skin.
• Wash your hands before peeing or touching your penis.

8. Is Balanitis permanent?

Balanitis in males is typically treated with success. It frequently recurs in non-circumcised males following therapy. Men who don’t maintain basic hygiene, such as cleansing their foreskins, have a higher chance of contracting an infection.

9. Why does balanitis itch?

Candidiasis. A yeast infection, often known as candidiasis, can affect several bodily parts. Because the foreskin offers ideal circumstances for the yeast to flourish, candidiasis can manifest there. It results in itching on and around the penis and can be brought on by yeast infections.