Balanitis
Balanitis is an inflammation of the glans (AKA balanus), but is not necessarily an infection. Balanitis may occur together with posthitis (inflammation of the foreskin), when it is known as balanoposthitis.[1] 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.[2]
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.[1]
Diagnosis requires an accurate history, and such tests as biopsy and a swab with a culture.[1] In the absence of a diagnosis, any prescription for treatment is a guess and is likely to fail.
Contents
Excessive washing and non-specific dermatitis
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.[3] 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. Fleiss, Hodges & Van Howe (1998) report the foreskin has both protective and immunological functions that help to prevent disease.[4] 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 an indication for circumcision.
Diabetic males
Diabetic males who have high sugar in their urine may have recurrent yeast infections. Better control of sugar levels is indicated. Recurrent yeast infections that are not responsive to better management of diabetes may be relieved by circumcision.
Childhood
The foreskin is protective of the glans penis in childhood.[5] 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.[6] Boys who have been circumcised are likely to experience balanitis caused by exposure to ammoniacal diapers (nappies).[7] 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,[8] which suggests a protective effect for the foreskin.
External links
(14 February 2008). Balanitis
, Circumcision Information Reference Library. Retrieved 7 October 2019.
- Clinical Effectiveness Group (2001).
2001 National Guideline on the Management of Balanitis
, Wayback Machine. Retrieved 7 October 2019.
- (2019).
Phimosis and Balanitis
, Doctors Opposing Circumcision, Doctors Opposing Circumcision. Retrieved 7 October 2019.
References
- ↑ a b c
Edwards, Sarah. Balanitis and balanoposthitis: a review. Genitourin Med. 1996; 72: 155-9. PMID. PMC. DOI. Retrieved 7 October 2019.
- ↑ Abdennader, S, Casin, I., Janier, M., Morel, P.. Balanitis and balanoposthitis: a review. Genitourin Med. 1996; 72: 434-5. PMID. PMC. DOI. Retrieved 7 October 2019.
- ↑ Birley, H.D.L., Wasker, M.M., Luzzi, G.A., et al. Clinical Features and management of recurrent balanitis; association with atopy and genital washing. Genitourin Med. 1 October 1993; 69(5): 400-3. PMID. PMC. DOI. Retrieved 7 October 2019.
- ↑ Fleiss, Paul M., Hodges, G.M., Van Howe, R.S.. Immunological functions of the human prepuce. Sex Trans Inf. 1 October 1998; 74(5): 364-7. PMID. PMC. DOI. Retrieved 7 October 2019.
- ↑ Gairdner, Douglas. The fate of the foreskin: a study of circumcision. Brit Med J. 24 December 1949; 2: 1433-7. PMID. PMC. DOI. Retrieved 12 October 2019.
- ↑ Van Howe, RS. Variability in penile appearance and penile findings: a prospective study. Brit J Urol. 1 November 1997; 80(6): 776-81. PMID. DOI. Retrieved 1 October 2019.
- ↑ Simpson, E., Baraclough, P.. The management of the paediatric foreskin. Australian Family Physician. 1 May 1998; 27(5): 381-3. PMID. Retrieved 10 July 2019.
- ↑ Hsieh, T.F., Chang, C.H., Chang, S.S.. Foreskin development before adolescence in 2149 schoolboys. Int J Urol. 2006; 13(7): 968-70. PMID. DOI. Retrieved 9 October 2019.
