What is Balanitis: crucial Causes and treatment involve in it

Balanitis is inflammation of the glans or the penis head due to infection or any other cause. Moreover, the condition may be unpleasant and painful at times, but it is often not severe. Yet, it is treatable with topical medications.

The condition is not contagious on its own. However, the underlying infection that developed may be transferred. Here are some balanitis-related facts:

Generally, the condition affects uncircumcised penises.
Often, treatment entails treating the root cause to avoid repetition.
It does not spread through sexual contact (STI).

Those affected by Balanitis may also have urinary discomfort or bruising around the foreskin. If you anticipate Balanitis, you should consult a sexologist. Now, let’s check more about this condition.

How Common Is Balanitis?

As per Dr. Chirag Bhandari, the top Sexologist doctor in Gurgaon, the condition is fairly common and affects around 3-11% of men during their lifespan. Further, Balanitis typically affects uncircumcised men since yeast and bacteria thrive in the damp, warm region beneath the foreskin. Additionally, it may happen at any age and is common with males having phimosis (men with a tight foreskin that is difficult to slide over the penis’s head).

Now let’s check the causes behind this condition.

Balanitis Causes

Mostly, the cause behind the condition is a fungal infection, such as a yeast infection, although bacterial infections may also cause it. So this is frequently the result of poor hygiene, particularly since the foreskin may collect moisture, giving the ideal habitat for bacteria and fungi to flourish.

Inadequate hygiene might include no or excessive washing, which may lead to discomfort and edema. Not thoroughly washing the region after a bath or using products containing irritants, such as perfumes and colors, may also induce this. Also, the penis’s foreskin tends to hold moisture, making it the perfect condition for microorganism growth.

Furthermore, other balanitis causes entail:

Hyposensitivity to latex condoms and spermicides
Sexually transmitted illnesses (STIs), such as gonorrhea and trichomoniasis
Scabies, which refers to an infestation of small skin mites
Specific medical problems, such as reactive arthritis, diabetes, injuries to the penis tip or foreskin

Balanitis Symptoms In Men

The onset of balanitis symptoms might be rapid or gradual. They may consist of the following:

Discomfort and pain in the glans
Redness or patches of redness on the penis.
Itch underneath the foreskin.
Swelling.
Shiny or white patches on the penis.
White discharge beneath the foreskin (smegma)
Foul scent.
Painful urination.
Lesions or sores on the glans

Diagnosis Of Balanitis

A person must visit a doctor to get an appropriate diagnosis and treatment for their ailment. Once the underlying condition is treated, Balanitis should resolve on its own. Balanitis is diagnosed through a physical exam to identify whether an infection is the cause of the symptoms. The lab technician may swab the urethral opening and send the sample for further testing. In addition, your doctor may prescribe a urine or blood test to detect diabetes and other illnesses.

Balanitis Treatment & Management

The treatment relies on the underlying cause. So some possible treatments include:

Preventing excessive washing of genitals
Topical antifungal creams like clotrimazole, nystatin, miconazole
If a sexually transmitted infection seems to be the origin of your symptoms, your doctor will provide medications to treat the infection. The antibiotic prescribed will rely on the infection’s nature.
Taking antifungal drugs orally, like fluconazole
Combining oral and topical antifungal drugs
Administering low-potency topical steroids
Undergoing circumcision (for prevention)
If you suffer from diabetes, your doctor will instruct you on how to control it.

Untreated Balanitis may result in chronic inflammation (redness and irritation). Chronic inflammation may result in the following health problems:

Balanoposthitis may result from Balanitis (inflammation of the foreskin and glans). Uncircumcised males may experience this.
Balanitis xerotica obliterans (BXO) arises whenever the glans’ skin hardens and goes white. Further, the dense tissue may impede the passage of urine and sperm via the urethra.
Prolonged inflammation may induce scarring on the penis, which could also cause constriction of the foreskin. The foreskin can become so taut that it cannot retract over the glans.

Prevention & Managing Symptoms

Balanitis prevention starts with adopting good hygiene. To avoid this, bathe often. Make time to draw your foreskin back and wash beneath it. Further, always wear a condom while engaging in sexual activity to prevent acquiring a sexually transmitted illness that might induce this condition.

To alleviate Balanitis’s discomfort and inflammation, you must:

Bathe frequently: wash daily. Ensure that your foreskin is pulled back so that you may clean below it.
Avoid harsh soaps. Avoid using soaps and lotions that might cause skin irritation.
After urinating, dry the region beneath the foreskin to prevent urine from being trapped there.
Encourage proper hygiene: Educate boys about proper hygiene, particularly if uncircumcised.

Conclusion

If you experience balanitis symptoms, you must see your doctor. Your healthcare practitioner will do an infection screening and prescribe appropriate hygiene measures and treatment strategies. You can always use the specialists at IASH Gurgaon if you experience any such conditions. Read more exciting article on expostnews.com