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→Excessive washing and non-specific dermatitis
'''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]], AKA ''posthe''), when it is known as '''balanoposthitis'''.<ref name="edwards1996">{{REFjournal
|last=Edwards
|first=Sarah
|DOI=10.1136/sti.69.5.400
|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. Fleiss, Hodges & Van Howe (1998) report reported the foreskin has both protective and immunological functions that help to prevent disease.<ref name="Fleiss1997">{{REFjournal
|last=Fleiss
|first=Paul M.
}}</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 circumcision.
==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 |last=Verma |first=Shyam B. |author-link= |last2=Molina |first2=Uwe |author2-link= |etal=no |title=Looking through the cracks of diabetic candidal balanoposthitis! |trans-title= |language=English |journal=Int J Gen Med |location= |date=2011-07-07 |volume=4 |issue= |pages=511-3 |url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3150172/ |archived= |quote= |pubmedID=21845057 |pubmedCID=3150172 |DOI=10.2147/IJGM.S17875 |accessdate=2020-06-23}}</ref> Better control of sugar levels is indicated. Recurrent yeast infections that are not responsive to better management of diabetes may be relieved by [[circumcision]]. {{SEEALSO}} * [[Smegma]]
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