Balanitis - What Should You Know?

Balanitis is an infection of the male genitalia that can have very uncomfortable effects. Balanitis causes inflammation in foreskin or the head of the penis. Balanitis generally occurs in uncircumcised men and may be very painful. However, it is not so dangerous or serious.

The good news is that it is easily preventable and treatable. Let us find out why it happens and how to deal with it.

Causes of Balanitis

Knowing the causes of Balanitis can help prevent the condition. Here are the causes:

1. Remnants of excess soap or foam under the foreskin.

2. Chemicals of scented soaps, lotions, or sprays.

3. Bar soaps that dry the skin.

4. Side effects of some laxatives, sleeping pills, antibiotics, and pain killers.

5. Diabetes.

6. STDs like Gonorrhea and Syphilis.

7. Reiter’s Syndrome.

8. Bacterial infection from dirty public restrooms.

9. As an effect of liver and kidney diseases.

People who have a healthy weight, are free from diabetes and other diseases of the organs, and people who are circumcised are less-prone to Balanitis because the chances of chemicals or yeast accumulating in the genitals are lesser.

Symptoms of Balanitis

Any abnormality of genitals calls for a visit to the doctor. Balanitis is associated with the following symptoms:

1. Itchiness.

2. Pain.

3. Redness and soreness.

4. Rigid Foreskin

5. Unusual discharge from the genital area.

6. ED and loss of libido due to discomfort.

7. Painful urination due to swelling of the tip of the penis.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of Balanitis involves physical examination, examination of the medical history of the patient to determine the risk factors like Diabetes and heart disease and other tests like:

1. Lab tests of any discharge.

2. Tests for STDs.

3. Serum glucose test for Diabetes.

4. Other tests for related medical conditions.

Treatment

Unlike what people might want to believe, Balanitis does not go away on its own. A professional diagnosis followed by systematic medical treatment is necessary. Treatment includes:

1. Antibiotic pills or cream for Balanitis caused by a bacterial infection.

2. Antifungal cream for Balanitis caused by yeast infections.

3. Steroid creams for Balanitis caused by skin disease.

4. Surgery to remove the foreskin if the condition is too advanced for medical treatment alone.

If not treated in time, Balanitis can cause complications like urinary retention leading to further urethral and bladder infections. The condition must be treated medically or surgically if required, and its relapse must be prevented.

Prevention of Balanitis

Prevention of Balanitis is easy. People must clean their genitals regularly but gently. Mild, unscented soap or genital wash should be used and thoroughly rinsed. Drinking ample water will also help.

Rise in blood sugar and body weight will be an alert signal for Balanitis. Keeping a track of Diabetes and body weight will be helpful for a person to recognize Balanitis in an early stage.

Balanitis symptoms may not occur for a longer period of time if one addresses them in a few days.

However, long Balanitis may cause severe problems. In such cases, a proper diagnosis is important. So, one must opt for any prescribed medication or treatment.