Balanitis - Medtick

Balanitis

What is it?

Inflammation of the glans (head) of the penis and is usually caused by bacteria or a fungus.

Cause

  • Sexual transmitted infection
  • Thrush
  • Bacterial infection:
  • Urethritis ( inflammation of the urethra (the tube running from the bladder to the tip of the penis)
  • Obesity
  • A urinary catheter
  • Congestive Heart failure (right sided)
  • Diabetes
  • Morbid obese
  • Liver disease (Cirrhosis is scarring (fibrosis) of the liver)
  • Kidney disease
  • An allergy to condoms and/or spermicides
  • Eczema
  • Psoriasis
  • Lichen sclerosis
  • Presence of foreskin
  • Poor hygiene of penis leading to a build-up of smegma (natural lubricant of sebum and dead skin that keeps the penis moist. It’s found on the head of the penis and under the foreskin )  that can allows bacteria to breed.
  • Phimosis (males who experienced difficulty retracting their foreskin back and exposing the head of their penis)
  • Irritation under the foreskin caused by pee
  • Perfumed soaps, shower gels, and other skin irritants
  • Fiddling with their foreskin

Medication

Symptoms

  • Tight, shiny skin on the head of your penis?
  • Redness, pain, and swelling on the head of your penis?
  • Fluid or pus coming from your penis?
  • Painful urination or not being able to urinate?
  • Swollen glands near your groin?
  • Sores on the head of your penis?

Complications /Information to beware of/General tips:

Hygiene

If you have balanitis, you should clean your penis daily with lukewarm water and gently dry it.

  • Don’t use soap, bubble bath, shampoo. talcum powder or any other potential irritant.
  • Dry gently under the foreskin after peeing.
  • Try a soap substitute like an emollient.

Cleaning a child’s penis

  • Don’t pull back their foreskin to clean under it if it’s still fixed (there’s no need to clean inside the foreskin).
  • If the child is still in nappies, change them frequently.
  • Don’t use baby wipes to clean their penis.

Testicles and pubic area

  • Don’t forget to clean the base of the penis and the testicles, where sweat and hair can combine to produce a strong smell, just as unpleasant as in your armpits.
  • These areas need frequent washing to stop sweat from accumulating, especially as they are enclosed in underwear for most of the day.
  • Make sure the area between the base of the testicles and the anus is also clean and odour-free.
  • Look out for any unusual lumps or swellings in your testicles that weren’t there before.

NHS Choices


This condition may show similar symptoms to:

Allergic eczema (irrigation of penis exposing to new material i.e. underwear, soaps and washes)

Please talk to your healthcare professional (i.e. Medical Doctor/Pharmacist) for further advice

Detailed Information

Please copy and paste any key words from the title: Balanitis in the following respective 'Medtick References and/or Sources' to find out more about the disease (this also may include diagnosis tests and generic medical treatments).