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{{GraphicWarning}}[[File:Inflammation of the glans penis and the preputial mucosa.jpg|thumb|Inflammation of the [[glans penis]] and the [[preputial mucosa]] of a [[circumcised]] penis (''balanitis'')]]'''Balanitis''' is an inflammation of the [[glans]] (AKA ''balanus''), but is not necessarily an [[infection]]. Balanitis may occur together with <b>[[posthitis]] </b> (inflammation of the [[foreskin]], AKA ''posthe''), when it is known as '''balanoposthitis'''.<ref name="edwards1996">{{REFjournal

|format=PDF}}</ref> Balanitis xerotica obliterans (BXO) is a separate and distinct condition. For more information on BXO, see [[Balanitis xerotica obliterans]]. Balanitis can occur in both [[circumcised ]] and [[intact ]] (non-circumcised) males.

It has many causes, including fungal, yeast, virus, or bacterial infection, environmental irritants, excess sugar in [[urine]], and others.The treatment of balanoposthitis requires accurate diagnosis of the cause of the balanoposthitis because different treatments are required for different causes. Abdennader ''et al''. (1996) observe that such dermatological conditions as psoriasis, lichen planus, lichen sclerosus, fixed drug eruptions, and bullous diseases are ''not'' balanitis.<ref>{{REFjournal

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The [[foreskin ]] is protective of the [[glans penis ]] in childhood.<ref>{{REFjournal |last=Gairdner |first=Douglas |author-link=Douglas Gairdner |title=The fate of the foreskin: a study of circumcision |journal=Brit Med J |date=GairdnerDM 1949-12-24 |volume=2 |issue= |pages=1433-7 |url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2051968/pdf/brmedj03656-0009.pdf |quote= |pubmedID=15408299 |pubmedCID=2051968 |DOI=10.1136/bmj.2.4642.1433 |accessdate=2019-10-12}}</ref> [[Robert S. Van Howe|Van Howe ]] (1997) reported data collected in his pediatric practice on 468 boys up to 18 years of age. Among boys less than three years of age, [[circumcised ]] boys were significantly more likely to have a reddened meatus or balanitis.<ref>{{REFjournal

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}}</ref> Boys Infant boys who have been [[circumcised ]] are likely to experience balanitis caused by exposure to ammoniacal diapers (nappies).<ref>{{REFjournal

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}}</ref> Hsieh ''et al''. (2006), working in Taiwan, where boys are not [[circumcised]], examined 2,149 elementary pre-adolescent schoolboys. Hsieh ''et al''. found ''only'' one case of balanitis in the intact 2,149 [[intact]] boys,<ref>{{REFjournal

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}}</ref> which suggests a protective effect for the [[foreskin]]. A boy's [[foreskin]] should not be retracted until the boy does it for himself.<ref name="Wright1994">{{REFjournal |last=Wright |init=JE |title=Further to the "Further Fate of the Foreskin" |journal=Med J Aust |volume=160 |issue= |pages=134-135 |url=http://www.cirp.org/library/normal/wright2/ |quote= |pubmedID=8295581 |pubmedCID= |DOI= |date=1994-02-07 |accessdate=2024-11-05}}</ref> ==Excessive washing and non-specific dermatitis== Birley et al. (1993) reported excessive washing, especially with the use of soap, will dry the oils out of tissues and cause a balanitis like inflammation. The use of soap (including body wash, shower gel, and shampoo) should be avoided and emollients should be applied.<ref name="Birley1991">{{REFjournal |last=Birley |init=HDL |author-link= |last2=Wasker |init2=MM |last3=Luzzi |init3=GA |etal=yes |title=Clinical Features and management of recurrent balanitis; association with atopy and genital washing |journal=Genitourin Med |date=1993-10-01 |volume=69 |issue=5 |pages=400-3 |url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1195128/pdf/genitmed00029-0074.pdf |quote= |pubmedID=8244363 |pubmedCID=1195128 |DOI=10.1136/sti.69.5.400 |accessdate=2019-10-07}}</ref> One [[intact]] man recommends applying a "thin layer of jojoba oil" to one's [[glans]] and inner [[foreskin]] daily.<ref>{{REFweb |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/balanitis/comments/walcbh/the_jojoba_oil_solution/ |title=The jojoba oil solution |last=Anonymous |first= |init= |author-link= |publisher=REDDIT |date=2022 |accessdate=2025-01-07}}</ref> Although it is commonly believed that the human [[foreskin]] is the source of infection so must be constantly washed to prevent [[infection]], that is not true. [[Paul M. Fleiss|Fleiss]], [[Frederick M. Hodges| Hodges]] & [[Robert S. Van Howe|Van Howe]] (1998) reported the foreskin has both [[Immunological and protective function of the foreskin| protective and immunological functions]] that help to prevent disease.<ref name="Fleiss1997">{{FleissP HodgesF VanHoweRS 1998}}</ref> Washing removes the protective substances and leaves the [[penis]] prone to [[infection]], so washing should be limited and soap should not be used. Balanoposthitis is ''not'' usually an indication for [[adult circumcision]]. ==Yeast infections and diabetic males== Diabetic males who have high sugar in their [[urine]] may have recurrent yeast infections. Verma & Molina (2011) report that balanoposthitis caused by yeast infection is prevalent in [[India]] where [[circumcised]] men are rare and the rate of diabetes is high.<ref name="verma2011">{{REFjournal |last=Verma |first=Shyam B. |init=SB |author-link= |last2=Molina |first2=Uwe |init2=U |author2-link= |etal=no |title=Looking through the cracks of diabetic candidal balanoposthitis! |journal=Int J Gen Med |location= |date=2011-07-07 |volume=4 |issue= |pages=511-3 |url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3150172/ |archived= |quote= |pubmedID=21845057 |pubmedCID=3150172 |DOI=10.2147/IJGM.S17875 |accessdate=2020-06-23}}</ref> Better control of sugar levels is indicated. Recurrent yeast infections that are not responsive to better management of diabetes may be relieved by [[Adolescent and adult circumcision| circumcision]]. Yeast infections may cause adult-onset [[phimosis]]. Yeast infections may usually be successfully treated by application of topical clotrimazole.<ref>{{REFjournal |last=Crowley |first= |init=PD |author-link= |last2=Galagher |first2=HC |init2= |author2-link= |etal=no |title=Clotrimazole as a pharmaceutical: past, present and future |trans-title= |language= |journal=J Appl Microbiol |location= |date=2014-09 |volume=117 |issue=3 |article= |page= |pages=611-7 |url=https://sfamjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/jam.12554 |archived= |quote= |pubmedID=24863842 |pubmedCID= |DOI=10.1111/jam.12554 |accessdate=2021-05-31}}</ref>==Diagnosis and treatment==Balanitis has many possible instigators. Diagnosis requires an accurate history, and such tests as biopsy and a swab with a culture.<ref name="edwards1996" /> In the absence of a diagnosis, any prescription for treatment is a guess and is likely to fail. One can’t properly treat balanoposthitis until one knows what is causing it. Different causes require different treatments. When one knows the cause, then an appropriate treatment can be selected.<ref name="edwards1996" /> ==Video=====Penis pain and inflammation? Balanitis Explained: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment Options===<youtube>v=7ybvTaMQn10</youtube>{{SEEALSO}} * [[Fungal infection]]* [[Immunological and protective function of the foreskin]]* [[American urologists and the practice of male circumcision]]* [[Penis]]* [[Preputial sac]]* [[Regret men]]* [[Smegma]]

|last= |first= |publisher= |website=Circumcision Information Reference Library[[CIRP]]

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|last= |first= |publisher=[[Doctors Opposing Circumcision |website=Doctors Opposing Circumcision(D.o.C.)]]

[[Category:DiseaseMedical condition]][[Category:Medical conditionsterm]][[Category:Penile disorder]][[Category:Penile disordersillness]]