Balanitis

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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. Balanitis xerotica obliterans (BXO) is a separate and distinct condition. For more information on BXO, 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.

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.

Diagnosis requires an accurate history, and such tests as biopsy and a swab with a culture.