Balanitis - the secret worry of men

The glans is the sensitive and erect part of the penis. The glans is completely or partially covered by a thin layer of skin called the foreskin. The foreskin is an organ prone to stagnation of secretions and inflammation. Although balanitis is not considered a serious health problem. But if this condition persists, it can lead to serious complications on men's health and quality of life. Therefore, it should be detected and treated promptly.

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• What is Balanitis?
• Causes of Balanitis
• Signs of inflammation of the foreskin
• Diagnosis of bursitis
• Who is at risk for bursitis?
• How to cure bursitis
• Complications of bursitis
• How to prevent?

What is Balanitis?

Balanitis is swelling of the foreskin or head of the penis. It is usually caused by infections or chronic skin conditions. This condition affects about 1 in 20 men.

Balanitis is common in uncircumcised men. The disease can be painful, but is usually not serious. Symptoms of the disease can be relieved by using topical medications.

The glans is located at the tip of the penis

Causes of Balanitis

Inflammation

There are many different causes that can lead to inflammation of the foreskin. Improper hygiene can contribute to skin irritation. Both under-washing or over-washing can cause or worsen this problem. This condition is usually caused by an abnormal growth of bacteria or yeast. The foreskin of the penis is an ideal place for these organisms to thrive because its job is to help keep moisture around the tip of the penis.

Injury

Injuries to the tip of the penis or foreskin can cause discomfort by causing swelling at the site of injury.

Irritation

Irritation in this area can also cause inflammation of the foreskin. Irritation of the foreskin can be caused by:

• Do not completely rinse the soap off your penis after bathing
• Use scented soaps to clean your penis
• Using soaps that cause dry skin
• Use scented creams or sprays on your penis
• Some laxatives, sleeping pills, pain relievers, and antibiotics can cause balanitis as a side effect.

Other causes

Other causes of this condition include:

• Reactive arthritis
• Uncontrolled diabetes
• Sexually transmitted infections such as syphilis, trichomoniasis, and gonorrhea

Signs of inflammation of the foreskin

Symptoms of balanitis may appear suddenly or gradually progress. They may include:

• Pain and burning on the glans (or tip of the penis).
• A raised rash or red patch on the penis.
• Itching under the foreskin .
• Swelling.
• Glossy or white areas of skin appear on the penis.
• White discharge (smegma) under the foreskin
• Mui stinks
• Painful urination.
• Sores or lesions on the glans (this is rare and belongs to a type of balanitis that affects men over 60 years of age).

Itching of the foreskin could be a sign of balanitis

Diagnosis of bursitis

Balanitis can usually be diagnosed during a gynecological exam because most of its symptoms are visible. Usually, your doctor will take a sample from the inflammatory fluid with your cotton swab or take a urine sample for testing. During the test, they will check for the presence of bacterial or fungal cells. This helps determine the cause of the balanitis.

When the cause of balanitis is determined to be a chronic condition, your doctor may perform a biopsy. For a biopsy, your doctor will give you a local anesthetic and take a small piece of tissue from your penis for examination.

Who is at risk for bursitis?

It is a common condition, affecting about 1 in 25 boys and 1 in 30 uncircumcised men at some point in their lives. Boys under 4 years of age and uncircumcised men are most at risk, but it can occur at any age.

Balanitis mainly affects uncircumcised men. Because the warm, moist area under the foreskin is an ideal place for yeast and bacteria to grow. However, it can occur at any age and is more common in men with stenosis (a tight foreskin that doesn't move easily over the tip of the penis). Groups at higher risk for balanitis include men:

• Poor hygiene practices.
• Middle-aged or older.
• People with diabetes, because the increased amount of sugar (glucose) on their skin can stimulate the growth of bacteria and fungi.
• Fat.
• Have sexually transmitted diseases.
• Sensitivity to chemical irritants.

Factors that increase the risk of disease

The most common predisposing factor for this pathology is poor hygiene in uncircumcised men. Other factors include:

• Genital yeast infection (candidiasis).
• Infection with sexually transmitted diseases.
• Scabies infection (parasite that burrows under the skin).
• Sensitive or allergic to soaps or harsh cleaning chemicals.
• Skin conditions that cause itchy, dry, scaly skin (such as psoriasis and eczema).
• Have diabetes.
• With reactive arthritis, a type of arthritis that develops in response to an infection somewhere in the body.

Balanitis caused by Candida infection

How to cure bursitis

Once balanitis is diagnosed, your doctor will likely prescribe a medicated anti-itch cream. This cream helps to prevent itching and inflammation.

If you have an infection, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics or antifungal medications to help clear up the wound. This helps to stop inflammation, swelling, itching, and discharge.

Your doctor may also prescribe topical steroid creams to reduce inflammation.

During the healing period of balanitis, use only warm water to clean. Never use all soaps, lotions or powders with fragrance as these are often the cause of foreskin irritation.

Complications of bursitis

Untreated balanitis can cause chronic inflammation (redness and irritation). Prolonged inflammation can cause health problems, including:

• Balanoposthitis: Inflammation of the foreskin can lead to balanoposthitis (inflammation of the foreskin and foreskin). This only occurs in uncircumcised men. Signs of balanitis include itching, irritation, and swelling of the foreskin and glans. Balanoposthitis occurs more often in men with diabetes
• Balanitis xerotica obliterans (BXO): Also known as lichen sclerosus, BXO occurs when the skin on the foreskin hardens and turns white. Hard tissues can make it difficult or impossible for urine and semen to flow through the urethra.
• Foreskin stenosis: Long-term inflammation can lead to scarring on the penis, causing the foreskin to narrow. The foreskin can become so stretched that it cannot be retracted (pull back) from the glans.

How to prevent?

You can prevent balanitis easily just by practicing proper hygiene:

• Shower regularly: Shower every day, especially after sweating or having sex
• Avoid using harsh soaps: Try not to use strong soaps or body washes that can irritate your skin.
• Keep dry: After urinating, dry the area under the foreskin so that urine doesn't get trapped under the foreskin.