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[[File:Inflammation of the glans penis and the preputial mucosa.jpg|thumb|Inflammation of the [[glans penis]] and the [[preputial mucosa]] of a [[circumcised ]] penis (''balanitis'')]]'''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
|last=Edwards
|first=Sarah
|DOI=10.1136/sti.72.3.155
|accessdate=2019-10-07
|format=PDF}}</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.
It has many causes, including fungal, yeast, virus, or bacterial infection, environmental irritants, excess sugar in [[urine]], and others.
==Childhood==
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
|last=Van Howe
|init=RS
|DOI=10.1046/j.1464-410x.1997.00467.x
|accessdate=2019-10-01
}}</ref> Boys Infant boys who have been [[circumcised ]] are likely to experience balanitis caused by exposure to ammoniacal diapers (nappies).<ref>{{REFjournal
|last=Simpson
|init=E
|DOI=
|accessdate=2019-07-10
}}</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 [[intact]] boys,<ref>{{REFjournal
|last=Hsieh
|init=TF
|DOI=10.1111/j.1442-2042.2006.01449.x
|accessdate=2019-10-09
}}</ref> which suggests a protective effect for the [[foreskin]].
==Excessive washing and non-specific dermatitis==
|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. [[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.
Balanoposthitis is ''not'' usually an indication for circumcision.
==Diabetic Yeast infections and 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
* [[Immunological and protective function of the foreskin]]
* [[Issues with American urologists and the practice of male circumcision]]
* [[Penis]]
* [[Preputial sac]]
* [[Regret men]]
* [[Smegma]]
[[Category:Medical condition]]
[[Category:Medical term]]
[[Category:Penile disorder]]
[[Category:Penile illness]]