Changes

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

}}</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]], 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.