Balanoposthitis: what it is, causes, symptoms and treatment

Balanoposthitis is the inflammation of the glans (head of the penis) and the foreskin, which is the skin that covers the glans, leading to symptoms that can be quite uncomfortable, such as swelling of the region, redness, burning and itching.

Balanoposthitis can have several causes, however it is most frequently due to infection by fungi or bacteria, such as Candida albicans e Staphylococcus sp., respectively. In addition to the infectious cause, inflammation can also be a consequence of allergies, autoimmune or neoplastic changes.

It is important that the cause of balanoposthitis is identified, as this way the urologist can indicate the most appropriate treatment to alleviate the symptoms and combat the cause, which may include the use of corticosteroid ointments or ointments with antimicrobial properties, for example.

Balanoposthitis symptoms

The main symptoms of balanoposthitis are:

• Itching, redness and burning in the glans and foreskin;
• Pain or discomfort when urinating;
• Bad being;
• Difficulty lifting the skin covering the head of the penis;
• Local swelling;
• Dryness of the skin;
• Emergence of secretion;
• Appearance of sores on the penis.

In the presence of signs and symptoms possibly indicative of balanoposthitis, it is recommended that a urologist be consulted so that an assessment of the genital region can be carried out so that the most appropriate treatment can be indicated.

How the diagnosis is made

The diagnosis of balanoposthitis must be made by the urologist by evaluating the signs and symptoms presented by the man, as well as by evaluating his clinical history and lifestyle habits.

If you want to confirm the risk of balanoposthitis, make an appointment with the urologist closest to you:

Furthermore, to confirm the diagnosis, the doctor may recommend blood and urine tests, as well as a microbiological examination based on penile secretion or urine.

In the case of recurrent balanoposthitis, a biopsy may be indicated to check for signs and proliferation of malignant cells, in addition to surgery to remove excess skin from the foreskin, in order to facilitate hygiene and reduce the local humidity.

Main causes

Balanoposthitis can have different causes and because of this it can be classified into:

• Infectious balanoposthitiswhich occurs due to infection by fungi, bacteria, parasites or viruses, the most frequently related Candida albicans, Staphylococcus sp.; Streptococcus sp.; HPV, Treponema pale, Mycoplasma hominis, Mycoplasma genitalium, Trichomonas sp.;
• Inflammatory balanoposthitiswhich occurs due to inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, such as lichen planus, scleroatrophic lichen, atopic dermatitis, eczema and psoriasis;
• Preneoplastic balanoposthitisin which the symptoms of inflammation are related to the proliferation of cancer cells, which may be related to Bowen’s disease and erythroplakia of Queyrat, for example;
• Allergic balanoposthitisin which inflammation occurs due to contact with a substance that causes local irritation or allergy, such as latex from condoms or chlorine present in swimming pools, for example, or due to a lack of correct hygiene of the intimate area.

Balanoposthitis is more common in men who use medications that reduce the activity of the immune system, are over 40 years old, have not been circumcised, have multiple sexual partners or have decompensated diabetes, as In this case, there is a large loss of glucose in the urine, favoring the development of microorganisms there.

How the treatment is carried out

The treatment of balanoposthitis is indicated by the urologist according to the cause, and in most cases the use of topical or oral antifungals or antibiotics is indicated according to the microorganism related to the inflammation.

The treatment of balanoposthitis is often the same as that of balanitis, which is inflammation of only the head of the penis, in which the use of corticosteroid ointments, such as Hydrocortisone, antifungals, such as Ketoconazole, Itraconazole or Clotrimazole, or antibiotic ointments, such as Clindamycin, is indicated. . Understand more about the treatment for balanitis.

In the most serious cases, in which balanoposthitis is recurrent, there are associated risk factors, there is a risk of complications and the symptoms are very uncomfortable and interfere with the man’s quality of life, surgery for phimosis may be recommended, in which it is removed excess skin from the penis. See how surgery for phimosis is performed.

It is also important for men to always keep their genital area clean and dry, avoid mechanical trauma and avoid using antiseptic soaps, as this can remove microorganisms that are beneficial to men’s health.