Balanitis is a condition that causes pain and inflammation in the head of the penis. Not only does it makes the foreskin extremely itchy, but it also makes urinating extremely painful. Balanitis affects 1 in 30 males and makes their sexual life distressful.
Here, we discuss the link between circumcision and Balanitis— get in touch with an online doctor to discuss it in detail.
Different Types of Balanitis
There are three different types of Balanitis:
- Zoon’s Balanitis: This is the type of Balanitis that causes inflammation in the head of the penis, making it appear red. It usually affects men who have reached their middle age.
- Corcinate Balanitis: Men with reactive arthritis are prone to developing this type of Balanitis. Not only does it cause redness and inflammation, but it also makes small lesions pop up on the head of the reproductive organ.
- Pseudopitheliomatous Keratotic and Micaceous Balanitis: Men who are past their middle age are likely to develop this form of Balanitis. Although it’s quite rare, the condition causes scaly warts to appear on the organ.
What Causes Balanitis
This condition develops either due to a fungal infection or a bacterial one. But men who aren’t particularly mindful of their hygiene are likely to develop it too. This is because the foreskin might trap moisture, providing an ideal environment for the fungus and bacteria to grow and thrive.
Here are some more things that might cause Balanitis:
- Not washing off the soap from the groin area
- Using latex condoms and spermicides that aren’t suitable for your skin
- Using certain antibiotics can trigger an allergic reaction
- Sexually transmitted diseases, such as gonorrhea, can cause Balanitis too
- Diabetes, Scabies, and reactive arthritis can trigger it
- Sustaining an injury on the foreskin, or the head of the penis
How Do Doctors Diagnose Balanitis?
When a person notices symptoms of Balanitis on their reproductive organ, they must consult a doctor. The doctor will conduct a physical examination to confirm or rule out Balanitis. After a physical examination, the doctor is likely to order some tests for you to further judge the extremity of the condition.
The tests for diagnostics might include the following:
- A test for any STI done on the urethral opening
- A test for infections and diabetes known as urinalysis
- Some blood tests to determine and rule out several diseases and infections
- A scraping test of the skin around the organ to observe mites for Scabies
Does Balanitis Have a Treatment?
There are several treatment plans available for people who have Balanitis. This is because there’s a different treatment option for every type of Balanitis. A doctor may prescribe any of the following:
- Doctors might prescribe antibiotics if they believe a sexually transmitted infection is the cause of your Balanitis. Similarly, anti-fungal creams are often given to patients with this condition because of a yeast infection. The cream is gently put on the organ and the foreskin.
- Sometimes, your doctor might recommend you to be mindful of your hygiene and shower regularly. Additionally, wiping under the foreskin and patting it dry is essential to keep Balanitis at bay.
- Often, doctors ask you to consider circumcision: a process that removes the foreskin from the tip of the penis. This is the ultimate solution for people who have a tight foreskin or have a recurring form of Balanitis.
What are the Preventative Measures for Balanitis?
Preventing Balanitis isn’t as difficult as it sounds, and the first step to do that is to practice good hygiene. From cleaning the tip of your penis to removing excess soap from the surrounding area, all of it helps prevent Balanitis.
Other preventative measures include patting your foreskin and the groin area dry instead of rubbing and chafing. Moreover, doctors encourage patients to stop using products that might cause irritation, including lotions and soaps with fragrance. Also, experiment with different sorts of condoms to determine which works the best for you and doesn’t cause skin irritation.
Who’s at an Increased Risk of Balanitis?
People can develop this condition at any age, but they’re more likely to be affected when they’re either middle-aged yet uncircumcised or are children under 4 years of age.
Some people have a tight foreskin, which means that it doesn’t retract on the penis. This condition is known as Phimosis, and people who have it are at an increased risk of developing Balanitis.
Are You Looking For an Experienced Virtual Doctor?
If you need help with Balanitis, Urethritis, or any other medical conditions such as bronchitis, hypothyroidism, and allergies, get in touch with the online telemedicine doctors at TelMDCare. They help patients by providing them with online consultation services. Their virtual doctors can help patients with ear infections, erectile dysfunction, and numerous other medical conditions.
Book an appointment with TelMDCare, or learn more about their services today.
About the Author
Sylvia W. is an African-American doctor who has a specialization in sexually transmitted diseases. She also advocates for protected sex and gives lectures on it in educational institutions.
Read also more
Read also : Videovor
