Balanitis is a condition that accounts for about 12% to 20% of uncircumcised males and boys less than 4 years old. Its symptoms are swelling and pain in the penile head, with infections, poor hygiene and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) serving as the major causes. 

Knowing about this condition is essential not only for medical aspirants and healthcare providers but also for all males. The reason being, that it signifies underlying medical conditions and can significantly impact urinary and sexual health in the long run. 

This article covers the symptoms, risk factors, diagnosis, and treatment of balanitis, as well as other crucial aspects. 

What is Balanitis? 

Balanitis is characterised by pain and inflammation of the penile head or glans with redness, swelling, and pain. This medical condition occurs mainly among uncircumcised men, especially among people with diabetes or a tight foreskin.  

Although it is not a serious condition and is not contagious, patients should consider visiting a healthcare provider to determine the underlying cause and get proper treatment. If not treated on time, balanitis may result in several complications like narrowing of the urethra, phimosis, and even cancer.

What are the Causes of Balanitis?

Understanding the leading causes of balanitis is essential for its timely prevention and treatment:

• Bacterial Infections

Bacterial infections, particularly from organisms such as Streptococcus and Staphylococcus, are the usual causes of balanitis. These infections often result from the accumulation of bacteria under the foreskin, particularly in uncircumcised men, making it difficult to keep their penis head clean. 

• Fungal Infections

Fungal infections, usually due to the Candida fungi, are also a common cause of balanitis. Yeast infections, typically found in those with diabetes or individuals who are being treated with antibiotics, proliferate in wet environments and can cause irritation to the penis head.

• Poor Hygiene

Poor hygiene, especially among uncircumcised men, is one of the key causes of balanitis. When the foreskin cannot be opened or cleaned regularly, smegma, a mixture of dead skin cells, oils, and moisture, forms under the foreskin. This can irritate the glans’s sensitive skin, causing inflammation and infection.

• Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)

Some STIs, including genital herpes, chlamydia, and gonorrhoea, may lead to balanitis. In a few instances, the infection can result in both balanitis and urethritis (urethral inflammation), which causes painful urination and discharge.

• Allergic Reactions and Irritants

The glans region of the penis is also very sensitive to outside chemicals and irritants. Allergic reactions caused by soaps, lotions, condoms, or spermicides can result in inflammation and penis glans infection. Even excessive washing or scrubbing of the area can cause irritation and balanitis. 

• Skin Disorders

There are a number of skin disorders that can cause balanitis. Psoriasis or eczema can cause inflammation of the glans. These disorders make the skin more sensitive and prone to irritation, which can create symptoms that resemble balanitis. 

What are the Symptoms of Balanitis?

The symptoms of balanitis can appear suddenly or develop over time. These mainly include:

• Irritation and uncomfortable sensation on the head of the penis
• Colour changes or patches on the penis
• Shiny or white spots on the penis
• Itching under the foreskin
• Swelling
• White discharge (smegma) under your foreskin
• Foul smell
• Pain while urinating
• Sores or lesions on the head of your penis – this is rare and typically seen in the case of Pseudoepitheliomatous Keratotic and Micaceous Balanitis (PKMB) in men over 60.

What are the Risk Factors of Balanitis?

Mentioned below are the several risk factors that can lead to balanitis:

• Sexually transmitted diseases (STIs) such as trichomoniasis and gonorrhoea
• Medical conditions like diabetes and reactive arthritis
• Penile or foreskin tip injury
• Allergic reaction to particular medications, like certain antibiotics and analgesics
• Uncleanliness around the genitals
• People living with HIV
• High blood sugar in the urine

What are the Diagnosis Methods for Balanitis?

Balanitis is usually diagnosed by a physical examination, as most of its symptoms are visible to the naked eye. However, in some cases, additional tests are required to be performed, including:

• A swab of your urethral opening to check for STIs and other infections
• A skin-scraping sample to search for mites under a microscope
• Blood tests to screen for infections, diabetes, and other medical conditions
• A urinalysis for evidence of infection or diabetes

What are the Treatment Options of Balanitis?

Balanitis treatment usually starts with genital hygiene improvement, which involves proper cleaning and drying of the space under the foreskin without using hygiene products that have potential irritants, including fragrances. Other treatments can be used to decrease inflammation and address the underlying cause, which can include:

• Antifungal Creams: Clotrimazole cream for balanitis or Miconazole can be prescribed if the cause of inflammation is a yeast infection.
• Anti-itch Creams: Over-the-counter and prescription anti-itch balanitis treatment creams may be used to relieve itching and redness that can eventually lead to this condition. 
• Antibiotics: If the condition is associated with a sexually transmitted infection (STI), antibiotics for balanitis, such as Mupirocin, Amoxicillin, etc., can be used.
• Steroid Creams: Corticosteroid creams may be used to relieve inflammation and penis itching.
• Circumcision: In recurrent balanitis or phimosis, a medical professional will recommend circumcision to eliminate the foreskin by surgery and avoid the recurrence of the symptoms and complications.

What are the Prevention Tips for Balanitis?

By implementing some effective preventive measures, one can ensure optimal genital health and lower the chances of balanitis. Some of the major prevention steps are as follows:

• Practice Good Hygiene: Wash the penis with warm water on a regular basis. If uncircumcised, carefully retract the foreskin and wash beneath it. Never use soap or shower gel since they may cause irritation to the sensitive skin.
• Dry the Area Well: After washing the penis, dry it completely because moisture often causes irritation and fungal infections.
• Practice Safe Sex: Use condoms while having sex to reduce the risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), which can cause balanitis. 
• Wear Clean, Breathable Underwear: Select loose-fitting underwear made of natural fibres, like cotton, to keep the genital area dry and cause less friction.
• Avoid Irritants: Apply hypoallergenic, fragrance-free soaps and lotions to avoid allergic reactions or irritation that will lead to the penis redness. 
• Treat Underlying Health Conditions: If you have diabetes, go for periodic health check-ups, as it is a major risk factor that can cause balanitis. 

FAQs About Balanitis

1. How do you know if balanitis is caused by a fungus or bacteria?

A physician can tell if the balanitis is bacterial or fungal by examining the inflammation and sampling the area or urine.

2. Is balanitis common in newborns?

Although balanitis is possible in children of any age, it is primarily common in children under the age of four.

3. Does balanitis cause discharge?

Balanitis is inflammation of the foreskin and the penis tip. It may be caused by a fungal or bacterial infection, poor hygiene, or allergy. Redness, swelling, and penal discharge are some of the major symptoms.

4. What is the best antibiotic to treat balanitis?

The antibiotics prescribed for balanitis depend on the type of infection. Some of the best antibiotics for balanitis are amoxicillin, clarithromycin, clotrimazole, metronidazole, and erythromycin.  

5. What are the consequences of not treating balanitis?

In case balanitis goes untreated, chronic inflammation can lead to scarring on the penis and result in a tight foreskin that will not retract over the head of the penis.

Conclusion 

In a nutshell, balanitis is a controllable condition if treated in time and handled properly. Being aware of the causes, symptoms, risk factors, and treatments is key to avoiding pain and complications. 

If you are studying for exams such as NEET PG, having a thorough grasp of medical conditions such as balanitis can provide better insight and improve your performance. At DocTutorials, we provide specialised NEET PG study materials that can help make your exam preparation faster and more effective. 

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