Live Life Team
The medical term for the head of the penis is glans. When the glans has inflammation caused by bacteria, it is known as Balanitis. It also affects the foreskin, which covers the head of the penis. This is a common disease. It can affect people of any age group. It is more common in men who have not undergone circumcision. This is preventable through hygienic practices and therefore, is not so harmful.
What are the common causes of Balanitis
Infection is the main cause of Balanitis. Verities of bacteria thrive on the skin. Not all of them are dangerous. Yet, when they grow rapidly, it could cause infection. Yeast infection is the commonest one. This is known as candida. This causes infection of the tissues. Warm and moisture encourage speedy growth of bacteria. Therefore, the uncircumcised penis glans provides an ideal environment for the bacteria to multiply rapidly. Regular cleaning of the glans may relieve it of bacteria.
What else could be the other causes
Allergy can cause inflammation of the glans. Uncontrolled diabetes in men can lead to infections which includes glans too. The left out glucose after passing urine is an ideal environment for growth of bacteria. If the foreskin is not fully withdrawable, it provides shelter for bacteria. This is possible for male up to the age of five. Sex with women who have vaginal infection, can cause infection on glans. Sometimes, a course of antibiotics can encourage growth of bacteria. Infections such as Chlamydia can cause Balanitis. Certain chemicals can damage the sensitive skin of the glans, leading to infection.
What are the symptoms of Balanitis
Symptoms can vary person to person, depending on the severity of infection. The skin around the glans could look reddish. The glans swells in some cases. A feel of irritation and soreness on the glans surface could be a symptom. Discharge under the foreskin is also a symptom. If urination is painful, it may be a symptom. However, the above symptoms may be of a sexually transmitted disease too. Therefore, a proper diagnosis by your doctor is necessary to conclude on this.
How Balanitis is diagnosed
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For Balanitis, the symptoms are self-explanatory. The appearance of the glans itself could reveal the presence of the disease. Reddish or swollen glans suggests Blanaitis. The doctor treats this without much difficulty. However, if the symptoms persist after treatment, the doctor diagnoses it with some tests. A test on the sample of the tissues of penis helps identification of the bacteria. The doctor test the urine sample for ruling out diabetes. Your physician may refer you to a respective specialist if it is a sexually transmitted disease or if it is due to allergy. Rarely, the doctor takes a sample of tissues through biopsy for tests in a laboratory.
How Balanitis is treated
The treatment depends on the root cause of Balanitis. As a first aid you can use a salt bath at home for managing the pain or swelling. Antifungal cream treats Balanitis. Antifungal tablets are also available. If Balanitis is a transmission from vaginal thrush, both should have treatment. When the treatment is on, sex without condom is not advisable. Mostly, this disease cures up within five days from the day of treatment. For Balanitis caused by bacterial infection, the doctor prescribes antibiotics for cure. If the cause is allergy, the doctor suggests using mild steroid cream. If the cream aggravates the condition, you should stop using the cream. Circumcision could also be one of the effective treatments.
Can Balanitis be prevented
Ensuring hygiene of the glans prevents Balanitis. You can avoid using chemicals, which cause damage to the glans, resulting in Balanitis.
