Balanitis: what it is, symptoms, causes, types and treatment

Balanitis is inflammation of the head of the penis that causes symptoms such as redness, itching and swelling in the region, in most cases caused by a fungal infection. Candida albicansbut it can also happen due to a bacterial infection or, simply, due to an allergy.

Although it can happen to any man or child, balanitis is more common in those who have not had circumcision, as it is easier for secretions, moisture, fungi or bacteria to accumulate under the foreskin, resulting in inflammation.

The treatment of balanitis is carried out by a urologist and varies according to its cause, and the use of antifungal ointments or tablets, corticosteroids, or even antibiotics may be indicated.

Balanitis symptoms

The main symptoms of balanitis are:

• Redness on the head of the penis;
• Firm and shiny skin on the glans;
• Intense itching, pain or irritation of the glans;
• Bad smell;
• Increased sensitivity;
• Mild swelling of the head of the penis;
• Pain or burning when urinating;
• Whitish or clear discharge under the foreskin known as smegma

In some cases, it may even become difficult to pull the skin covering the penis, as it becomes more swollen and tight due to inflammation.

When these symptoms appear, it is important to go to a urologist to identify the correct cause and start the most appropriate treatment.

Read too: Smegma: what it is, symptoms, causes and treatment

Is balanitis a sexually transmitted infection?

Balanitis is not considered a sexually transmitted infection (STI), however, it can be caused by STIs such as syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, HPV or trichomoniasis, for example.

In these cases, the STI can be transmitted to the partner through unprotected intimate contact. See the main types of STIs and how to treat them.

How to confirm the diagnosis

The diagnosis of balanitis is made by the urologist through the evaluation of symptoms, health history and physical examination observing the characteristics of the lesions on the glans and foreskin.

Make an appointment with a urologist in the nearest region:

Normally, no additional tests are necessary, however, depending on what the doctor observed during the physical examination, a sample of secretions from the penis may be collected to be evaluated in the laboratory and identify the microorganism responsible for the infection.

In addition, other tests may be requested by the doctor according to the symptoms presented, such as tests for herpes virus, syphilis, Trichomonasscabies or Mycoplasma genitaliumfor example.

Possible causes

Balanitis can be caused by infections, the most common being candidiasis caused by the fungus Candida albicans, typically associated with uncontrolled diabetes and poor personal hygiene, but there are also non-infectious causes. See how to correctly identify candidiasis in men.

The main causes of balanitis are:

• Poor personal hygiene;
• Allergy to spermicides, condom latex, soaps, shower gels, underwear fabric or medications;
• Traumas;
• Diseases such as heart failure, nephrosis or cirrhosis;
• Morbid obesity;
• Infections with bacteria, such as group B and group A beta-hemolytic streptococci or Gardnerella vaginalis;
• Sexually transmitted infections such as syphilis, trichomoniasis, gonorrhea, HPV or chlamydia.

Furthermore, some skin diseases, such as eczema or psoriasis, can also appear in the intimate area, causing balanitis.

Types of balanitis

There are three types of balanitis, which include:

1. Balanite Son

Zoom balanitis, also called classic balanitis, Zoon plasma cell balanitis or circumscribed plasma cell balanitis, is the most common type of balanitis, which mainly affects older, uncircumcised men, causing chronic inflammation of the glans and foreskin.

The exact cause of this type of balanitis is not completely known, but it is believed to be related to irritation caused by excess moisture, heat, and smegma under the foreskin.

2. Circinada balanitis

Circinate balanitis is a type of balanitis that can appear in men who have reactive arthritis, causing sores on the head of the penis, in addition to the other symptoms of balanitis.

3. Keratotic and micaceous pseudoepitheliomatous balanitis

Keratotic and micaceous pseudoepitheliomatous balanitis is a rarer type of balanitis, which most often affects men over 60 years of age, causing scaly warts on the head of the penis.

4. Xerotic balanitis obliterans

Balanitis xerotic obliterans, also known as penile lichen sclerosus, which can affect not only the glans but also the foreskin and urethra, causing white spots on the penis or obstruction of the urethra.

The exact cause of balanitis xerotic obliterans is not fully known, but it is thought to be caused by trauma, infection, or chronic inflammation.

How the treatment is carried out

The treatment of balanitis must be carried out according to the urologist’s instructions and varies depending on the cause of the balanitis and the severity of the symptoms, with adequate hygiene in the region always recommended, keeping the penis always clean and dry and wearing cotton underwear.

Additionally, the doctor may recommend the use of medications for balanitis, such as:

• Antifungal ointmentssuch as clotrimazole, miconazole or nystatin, in cases of infection by Candida albicans;
• Corticosteroid ointmentssuch as hydrocortisone, to reduce inflammation and symptoms of balanitis;
• Antifungals in tablet formsuch as fluconazole, in cases of more severe candidiasis;
• Antibiotic ointmentssuch as clindamycin or mupirocin, in cases of bacterial infection.

Furthermore, if balanitis was caused by sexually transmitted infections, the doctor must indicate the most appropriate treatment according to the type of STI. It is also important to treat your partner and use a condom in all sexual relations. See how STIs are treated.

If you are allergic to latex in condoms, other condom options are polyurethane or polyisoprene, or female condoms, for example.

Possible complications

The main complications of balanitis are pain, formation of painful wounds or ulcers on the penis, narrowing of the urethra making it difficult to urinate, or transformation into malignant (cancer) or pre-malignant lesions, especially in cases where balanitis becomes a chronic or chronic problem. recurrent.

Furthermore, other complications are the development of paraphimosis, which is a medical emergency, or phimosis, for example. Understand better what phimosis is.