Essay On Balanitis
Introduction
Balanitis is inflammation of the head of the penis (glans). Balanitis has multiple causes, both infectious and noninfectious.
What are the causes?
Common causes of this condition include:
Poor personal hygiene, especially in uncircumcised males. Without adequate washing, viruses, bacteria, and yeast collect between the foreskin and the glans. This can cause an infection.
Lack of air and irritation from a normal secretion called smegma. This can contribute to balanitis in uncircumcised males.
Other causes include:
Chemical irritation from the use of certain soaps and shower gels (especially soaps with perfumes), condoms, personal lubricants, petroleum jelly, spermicides, and fabric conditioners.
Skin conditions, such as eczema, …show more content…
dermatitis, and psoriasis.
Allergies to drugs, such as tetracycline and sulfa.
Certain medical conditions, including liver cirrhosis, congestive heart failure, and kidney disease.
Morbid obesity.
What increases the risk?
The following factors may make you more likely to develop this condition:
Diabetes mellitus.
A tight foreskin that is difficult to pull back past the glans (phimosis).
Sex without the use of a condom.
What are the signs or symptoms?
Symptoms of this condition include:
Discharge coming from under the foreskin.
Tenderness of the glans.
Itching and inability to get an erection (because of the pain).
Redness and a rash.
Sores on the glans and on the foreskin.
How is this diagnosed?
This condition is diagnosed and confirmed through a physical exam.
How is this treated?
Treatment for this condition depends on the underlying cause of the balanitis. Treatment may include:
Frequent cleansing.
Keeping the glans and foreskin dry.
Use of medicines such as creams, pain medicines, antibiotics, or medicines to treat fungal infections.
Sitz baths.
If the irritation has caused a scar on the foreskin that prevents easy retraction, a circumcision may be recommended.
Follow these instructions at home:
Avoid sex until the condition has cleared.
Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
If you were prescribed an antibiotic medicine, use it as told by your health care provider. Do not stop using the antibiotic even if you start to feel better.
Do not drive or use heavy machinery while taking prescription pain
medicine.
Balanitis is inflammation of the head of the penis (glans). Balanitis has multiple causes, both infectious and noninfectious.
What are the causes?
Common causes of this condition include:
Poor personal hygiene, especially in uncircumcised males. Without adequate washing, viruses, bacteria, and yeast collect between the foreskin and the glans. This can cause an infection.
Lack of air and irritation from a normal secretion called smegma. This can contribute to balanitis in uncircumcised males.
Other causes include:
Chemical irritation from the use of certain soaps and shower gels (especially soaps with perfumes), condoms, personal lubricants, petroleum jelly, spermicides, and fabric conditioners.
Skin conditions, such as eczema, …show more content…
dermatitis, and psoriasis.
Allergies to drugs, such as tetracycline and sulfa.
Certain medical conditions, including liver cirrhosis, congestive heart failure, and kidney disease.
Morbid obesity.
What increases the risk?
The following factors may make you more likely to develop this condition:
Diabetes mellitus.
A tight foreskin that is difficult to pull back past the glans (phimosis).
Sex without the use of a condom.
What are the signs or symptoms?
Symptoms of this condition include:
Discharge coming from under the foreskin.
Tenderness of the glans.
Itching and inability to get an erection (because of the pain).
Redness and a rash.
Sores on the glans and on the foreskin.
How is this diagnosed?
This condition is diagnosed and confirmed through a physical exam.
How is this treated?
Treatment for this condition depends on the underlying cause of the balanitis. Treatment may include:
Frequent cleansing.
Keeping the glans and foreskin dry.
Use of medicines such as creams, pain medicines, antibiotics, or medicines to treat fungal infections.
Sitz baths.
If the irritation has caused a scar on the foreskin that prevents easy retraction, a circumcision may be recommended.
Follow these instructions at home:
Avoid sex until the condition has cleared.
Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
If you were prescribed an antibiotic medicine, use it as told by your health care provider. Do not stop using the antibiotic even if you start to feel better.
Do not drive or use heavy machinery while taking prescription pain
medicine.