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[[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

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> Boys 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]] 2,149 boys,<ref>{{REFjournal

}}</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>

Birley et al. (1993) report 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 avoidedand 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 |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]].

==Diabetic 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