Balanitis: Difference between revisions

[[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

}}</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.

The [[foreskin]] is protective of the [[glans penis]] in childhood.<ref>{{GairdnerDM 1949}}</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

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

}}</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 2,149 [[intact]] boys,<ref>{{REFjournal

}}</ref> which suggests a protective effect for the [[foreskin]].

 

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

}}</ref> One [[intact]] man recommends applying a "thin layer of jojoba oil" to one's [[glans]] and inner [[foreskin]] daily.<ref>{{REFweb

 

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