Balanitis
| Balanitis | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Inflammation of the glans penis and the remaining preputial mucosa of a circumcised penis | |
| Medical specialty | Urology |
Balanitis is inflammation of the glans penis. Balanoposthitis is the proper term when the foreskin is also affected. Balanitis occurring in males wearing diapers is different from redness caused by dermatitis.
Signs and symptoms
- Small red sores on the tip of the penis
- Redness of the foreskin
- Redness of the penis
- Other rashes on the head of the penis
- Foul-smelling discharge
- Painful foreskin and penis
Complications
Recurrent bouts of balanitis may cause scarring of the preputial orifice; the reduced elasticity may lead to pathologic phimosis. Further complications may include:
- Stricture of urinary meatus
- Paraphimosis
Risk factors
Inflammation has many possible causes, including irritation by environmental substances, certain medications, physical trauma, and infection such as bacterial, viral, or fungal. Some of these infections are sexually transmitted, however a yeast infection, Candida balanitis, is generally not categorized as such. Risk factors include immunosuppression, diabetes mellitus, and being uncircumcised.
It is less common among males who are circumcised; in many cases, a dysfunction of the foreskin is a causal or contributing factor. Both not enough cleaning and too much cleaning can cause problems. Diabetes is associated with balanitis.
References
- 1 2 "Balanitis: Practice Essentials, Etiology". Medscape. 2025-02-19 – via Medscape.
- ↑ Simpson ET, Barraclough P (1998). "The management of the paediatric foreskin". Aust Fam Physician. 27 (5): 381–3. PMID 9613002.
- ↑ "Balanitis". clarewellclinics.co.uk. Retrieved 2024-11-08.
- ↑ Edwards S (1996). "Balanitis and balanoposthitis: a review". Genitourin Med. 72 (3): 155–9. doi:10.1136/sti.72.3.155. PMC 1195642. PMID 8707315.
- ↑ Cleveland Clinic: Penile Disorders
- ↑ Achkar, Jacqueline M.; Fries, Bettina C. (2010-04). "Candida Infections of the Genitourinary Tract". Clinical Microbiology Reviews. 23 (2): 253–273. doi:10.1128/CMR.00076-09. ISSN 0893-8512. PMC 2863365. PMID 20375352.
{{cite journal}}: Check date values in:|date=(help) - 1 2 Edwards, SK; Bunker, CB; Ziller, F; van der Meijden, WI (August 2014). "2013 European guideline for the management of balanoposthitis". International Journal of STD & AIDS. 25 (9): 615–26. doi:10.1177/0956462414533099. PMID 24828553. S2CID 127341.
