We already know that men can experience various diseases or problems affecting their penises, some of which are not serious, although they are usually painful, while others are more concerning. For example, we might have the misfortune of suffering from phimosis , paraphimosis, or penile cancer. Today, in this article, we'll discuss a fairly common condition: balanitis, which is simply itching and redness of the penis.
In most cases, this problem, which can become quite uncomfortable, is solved by applying a cream, but if everything gets complicated it may end up requiring surgery, so be very careful if you think you may be suffering from it or have already been diagnosed .
What is balanitis?
Balanitis occurs at the tip of the penis, or glans, and presents as inflammation . If this inflammation also affects the foreskin, it is called balanoposthitis.
The swelling may make it seem like your penis has increased in size , but keep in mind that this increase will only be caused by the disease, so it's important to treat it quickly.
In most cases, this condition is quite painful. Besides redness of the glans and foreskin, which causes itching and burning, we may also experience blisters, erosions, or spots that can significantly increase the pain. However , there are several types of balanitis that can make it more or less painful.
Although you may never have heard of this disease, it is quite common and occurs in 10 out of 100 people who suffer from a condition in the male sexual organ. It can also affect young children, although it is not as common in them as in adults.
Causes of balanitis
Balanitis can be caused by many causes, although most of them have to do with poor hygiene in patients who have not undergone circumcision. Another of the most common causes is the use of soaps or, for example, condoms that use materials or chemicals that irritate the glans.
Below we show you the most important causes of the appearance of balanitis, the most common being lack of hygiene , although we can already tell you that these are not the only ones;
Dermatological diseases
- Circinate balanitis
- Lichen sclerosus
- Psoriasis
- Pemphigus
- Zoon Balanitis
- Premalignant lesions
Infections
- Mushrooms, for which you can use this mushroom cream.
- Different types of bacteria
- Virus. Among these we can highlight the herpes or the human papilloma
Other possible causes
- Lack of hygiene in the intimate area
- Use of irritating products
- Contact dermatitis
- Use of inappropriate drugs
- Trauma
- Stevens-Johnson syndrome
Types of balanitis
Before we get to know what they are the symptoms of balanitis and the treatment to be carried out It is essential that we know that just as there are several causes that produce this condition, there are different types depending on the cause for which it occurs.
Below we name the different types of balanitis that exist. Finding references about each one is certainly simple, although the best thing is that in the event that we suffer from any of them we go directly and in a hurry to be diagnosed by a specialist, who will also prescribe the most appropriate treatment.
Candida Balanitis
This type of balanitis can be quickly detected by the appearance of a reddened rash on the glans, which will always be accompanied by pain and itching.
The main injuries that it will cause us are the macules and papules, which can sometimes also be eroded.
This type of balanitis can be detected through a physical examination, without the need for tests by a specialist, who will quickly know how to recognize it and prescribe a correct treatment.
Balanitis due to bacteria
As we can already read in the title, this type of balanitis is caused by the appearance of bacteria , which can be of two different types:
- Anaerobic balanitis
- Aerobic balanitis
Herpes balanitis
This type of balanitis is caused by herpes, which can be simplex (HSV), mainly HSV-2 , although HSV-1 can also appear.
Lichen sclerosus
If whitish plaques appear on the glans of your penis , which can sometimes also affect the foreskin , it is most likely that you are suffering from sclerotic balanitis.
It can be a balanitis that produces several consequences, of a medium severity, among which a phimosis can be found.
Circinate balanitis
This type of balanitis is an inflammatory process that, unfortunately, can easily be attributed to a wide variety of other conditions. It generally consists of the appearance of grayish-white lesions on the glans, with whitish borders that are usually very well defined.
Premalignant lesions
This is one of the most dangerous types of balanitis because the possibility of it developing into cancer can be significant . Therefore, it is important to make a correct diagnosis, keeping in mind that it presents with a reddish, velvety appearance and, as with circinate balanitis, has very well-defined borders.
In this type of balanitis, physical examination is inevitable, but a biopsy is also very important to rule out any major complication such as carcinoma of the penis.
Zoon Balanitis
If you are an older, uncircumcised male with poor hygiene , this type of balanitis is the one you are most likely to suffer from, as it is directly associated with these 3 causes.
It consists of the appearance on the glans of bright red-orange lesions that in most cases have well-defined edges and also multiple reddish-colored pinpoint spots.
Irritant (allergic) balanitis
As the name suggests, this type of balanitis develops as a result of an irritant or an allergic reaction. For example, it can be caused by a soap or cream used to clean the genitals.
Drugs
This type of balanitis typically appears 24 to 48 hours after taking a drug or medication . The lesions are quite varied, but generally consist of one or more well-defined, reddish macules. Blisters or ulcerations may also appear, which can cause pain or at least some discomfort.
Symptoms of balanitis
As you can imagine after reading this article to this point, the most common symptom that can make us think that we have balanitis is redness of the foreskin or penis. In addition, the appearance of eruptions around our reproductive organ can make us suspicious.
Other symptoms of balanitis include itching or burning in the foreskin area. You may also notice a foul-smelling discharge or pain, sometimes even intense, in the foreskin and penis.
Without being specialists, if we can tell you that as soon as we see that our foreskin and penis begin to swell and redden, it is best that you go for a check-up with your specialist, because everything indicates that you are suffering from balanitis.
Below we list the main symptoms of balanitis, so that you can always keep them in mind;
- Sores on the penis or nearby areas
- Redness of the glans that can cause a lot of discomfort. This can also be extended to the foreskin
- Discharge from the penis with a foul odor
- Pain, sometimes severe, in the penis. Again this can also be extended to the foreskin
- Genital itching
- Painful urination, which can make urinating a very uncomfortable time
Treatment
The treatment applied will depend greatly on the type of balanitis , but in general we can say that:
- Balanitis caused by bacteria will be treated with antibiotic pills or creams, which in most cases put an end to this sometimes uncomfortable disease
- Balanitis that occurs through skin diseases in most cases is treated with steroid creams that will quickly alleviate our problem
- In the event that it is due to a fungus, specialists usually prescribe antifungal creams
The variety of treatments is very varied due to the existence of many types of balanitis, so we strongly recommend that no person undertake to treat balanitis from
Should I be concerned about having balanitis?
This is undoubtedly one of the questions every man asks himself when a doctor tells him he has balanitis, or when he notices it himself. Fortunately, nowadays, except in very advanced cases, no one needs to worry about suffering from balanitis, as most cases can be controlled with medicated creams, along with good hygiene.
Only in some very isolated cases will it be necessary to perform surgery, which, although it is not of too much importance, always creates another problem for us.
In general, balanitis, in some of its types, should not worry us excessively, although it is enough for us to be very careful with this ailment and with its complete cure.
Possible complications of balanitis
Complications from balanitis are usually associated with prolonged inflammation or infection of the penis . Some of these complications include:
- Sometimes it can make it difficult and especially painful to retract the foreskin to fully expose the tip of the penis. This condition is known as phimosis, which can also lead to paraphimosis
- Scarring and narrowing of the opening of the penis
- Sometimes the blood supply to the tip of the penis can be affected
- Increased risk of penile cancer
Balanitis is an ailment or disease that should be addressed as soon as possible and not ignored, or treated with remedies found online. If you experience any of the symptoms mentioned earlier, it 's best to see a specialist as soon as possible for a thorough examination and diagnosis.
In the event that it concludes that we suffer from balanitis, it will indicate a treatment with which we will surely be able to overcome it.