IntactiWiki

Balanitis: Difference between revisions

← Older edit
WikiModEn2 (talk | contribs)
Bureaucrats
22,605 edits
Add link in SEEALSO section.
 
(9 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown)
Line 122: Line 122:


==Excessive washing and non-specific dermatitis==
==Excessive washing and non-specific dermatitis==
Millions of years of evolution have provided the human [[foreskin]] with both protective and immunological functions. The role of the owner of the penis should be to assist the foreskin in its duties of protecting the [[penis]] from balanitis-causing [[infection]].


Birley et al. (1993) report 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.<ref name="Birley1991" >{{REFjournal
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 authors specially recommend NOT using soap and to stop excessive washing. 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
  |last=Birley
  |init=HDL
  |init=HDL
Line 144: Line 145:
  |DOI=10.1136/sti.69.5.400
  |DOI=10.1136/sti.69.5.400
  |accessdate=2019-10-07
  |accessdate=2019-10-07
}}</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.
}}</ref> One [[intact]] man recommends applying a "thin layer of jojoba oil" to one's [[glans]] and inner [[foreskin]] daily.


Balanoposthitis is ''not'' usually an indication for circumcision.
Although it is commonly believed that the human [[foreskin]] is the source of infection so must be constantly washed to prevent [[infection]], <b>that is not false information.</b> [[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. Retraction and washing provides an opportunity for pathogens to enter.<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 to occasional removal of beneficial smegma and soap should not be used.
 
Balanoposthitis is ''not'' usually an indication for [[adult circumcision]].


==Yeast infections and diabetic males==
==Yeast infections and diabetic males==
Line 208: Line 211:
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.
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" />  
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="edwards2022">{{REFjournal
|last=Edwards
|first=
|init=SK
|author-link=
|last2=Bunker
|first2=
|init2=CD
|author2-link=
|last3=van der Snoek
|first3=
|init3=EM
|author3-link=
|last4=van der Meijden
|first4=
|init4=WI
|author4-link=
|etal=no
|title=2022 European guideline for the management of balanoposthitis
|trans-title=
|journal=J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol
|date=2023-06
|volume=37
|issue=6
|pages=1104-17
|url=https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jdv.18954
|archived=
|quote=Avoid soaps while inflammation is present.
|pubmedID=36942977
|pubmedCID=
|DOI=10.1111/jdv.18954
|accessdate=2026-07-24
}}</ref>


==Video==
===Penis pain and inflammation? Balanitis Explained: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment Options===
<youtube>v=7ybvTaMQn10</youtube>
{{SEEALSO}}
{{SEEALSO}}


* [[Fungal infection]]
* [[Fungal infection]]
* [[Immunological and protective function of the foreskin]]
* [[Immunological and protective function of the foreskin]]
* [[Issues with American urologists and the practice of male circumcision]]
* [[American urologists and the practice of male circumcision]]
* [[Penis]]
* [[Penis]]
* [[Preputial sac]]
* [[Preputial sac]]
Line 255: Line 293:
  |quote=
  |quote=
}}
}}
 
* {{REFweb
|url=https://circumcised.com/Thread-Phimosis-is-often-misunderstood-misdiagnosed-over-diagnosed-and-improperly-treated
|title=Phimosis is often misunderstood, misdiagnosed, over-diagnosed, and improperly treated
|last=Anonymous
|publisher=Circumcised
|date=2026-07
|accessdate=2026-07-25
}}
{{REF}}
{{REF}}


Retrieved from "https://en.intactiwiki.org/wiki/Balanitis"