Balanitis is an inflammation of the head of the penis that, when it reaches the foreskin, is called balanopostitis and causes symptoms such as redness, itching and swelling of the area. This inflammation, in most cases, is caused by an infection with the fungus Candida albicans, but it can also occur from a bacterial infection or simply by an allergy to certain types of underwear or hygiene products.
Although this can happen in any man or child, balanitis is more common in those who have not been circumcised, as it is easier to accumulate dirt and bacteria under the skin of the foreskin.
- When the first symptoms of balanitis appear.
- It is important to consult the urologist.
- In the case of the man.
- Or the pediatrician.
- In the case of the child.
- To start treatment with the appropriate ointments and end the discomfort.
In addition to redness of the head of the penis, balanitis can cause other symptoms such as:
In some cases, it can even be difficult to pull the skin that covers the penis, as it swells and tightens more due to inflammation.
When these symptoms appear, it is important to see your urologist or pediatrician, in the case of childhood balanitis, to identify the correct cause and begin appropriate treatment.
The main cause of balanita is thrush, which occurs when the fungus Candida albicans is able to grow excessively and cause an infection in the most superficial layers of the penis. Find out how to correctly identify thrush.
However, there are other causes that can cause penis irritation. Some are simpler, such as lack of hygiene, the use of a new medicine or an allergy to a hygiene product or underwear, while others may be more serious, such as bacterial infections, sexually transmitted diseases, diabetes or injuries. In addition, certain skin diseases, such as eczema or psoriasis, can also occur in the intimate area, causing balanitis.
Most balanites can only be treated with good local hygiene and the use of cotton underwear that allows the skin to breathe. However, when symptoms don’t improve, your doctor can help identify the cause and start more specific treatment.
Medical treatment usually includes the use of
If symptoms persist or recur, it is necessary to assess the presence of a certain type of allergy, which may be caused by a specific soap or other hygiene product, for example. In such cases, the substance that causes the allergy should be avoided, to relieve symptoms once and for all.
After treatment, to prevent balanitis from re-breeding, the penis should always be kept clean and dry, avoid the use of skin irritants and use condoms in all sexes to reduce the risk of communicable diseases.
In cases where balanite becomes a chronic or recurrent problem, it is very important to follow up with a urologist because several complications can occur, from difficulty urinating to phymosis, for example. Understand better what phymosis is.