Balanitis – Causes, Symptoms and Diagnosis

Balanitis is a not contagious and non serious condition typically caused by yeast infections. This condition does not transfer from one person to another, but the organs causing balanitis can transfer from one person to another. The most common symptoms of balanitis include pain, inflammation, and redness on the head of the penis (glans).  Treatments for balanitis include balanitis creams, cleaning the affected area, antibiotics, and circumcision in some critical situations. Read this article to know more in detail about the causes, symptoms and diagnosis of balanitis. 

What is Balanitis?

Balanitis is a condition that causes pain and inflammation in the glans of the penis due to overgrowth of organisms (fungal and bacterial infections) in the foreskin present over the head of the penis(glans). Balanitis most often affects uncircumcised men.

What are the symptoms of balanitis?

The symptoms of balanitis may emerge quickly or gradually. The most common symptom of balanitis is redness, pain, and inflammation around the head of the penis. Some other symptoms of balanitis are, 

• Itching on the foreskin
• Irritation during urination
• Swelling
• White spots on the penis
• Tight foreskin
• Phimosis (Difficulty pulling back the foreskin)
• Sores around the head of the penis
• Foul smell from the penis

How Common is Balanitis

Balanitis is most common in men who have foreskin and do not clean it properly. The healthcare provider estimates that 10% of men will somehow face balanitis once in a lifetime. Among them, the number of uncircumcised men will be rapidly high when compared with circumcised men. Also, balanitis affects uncircumcised children under the age of 4.

What causes balanitis

The improper cleaning of the foreskin most commonly causes balanitis in uncircumcised adults. Some other causes of balanitis are,

• Sexually transmitted infections like gonorrhea 
• Yeast Infections (Candida albicans is the most common yeast that causes balanitis)
• Bacterial Infections (Streptococcus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Haemolytic streptococci)
• Skin irritants like soaps, gels, and other irritants.
• Diabetes
• Reactive arthritis (inflammatory arthritis that can occur after an infection, such as a sexually transmitted infection or food poisoning)
• Scabies (a skin condition that causes severe itching and red bumps)
• Irritation with latex condoms

Is balanitis an STI?

No, Balanitis is not a Sexually Transmitted infection (STI), and it is also a noncontagious condition. However, Balanitis looks like an STI. It is better to avoid sex until you find that this is not an STI and cure the condition. Because balanitis will not spread from person to person, the organisms causing infection can spread.

Three Different types of balanitis

Zoon’s balanitis: This is the primary type of balanitis that affects adult uncircumcised men during their middle age to older age. This condition causes pain, inflammation, and redness in the glans of the penis and the foreskin.

Circinate balanitis: This type, called circinate balanitis, is caused by reactive arthritis. Reactive arthritis is an inflammation that comes after an infection like STI(Sexually Transmitted Infection) and food poisoning.

Pseudoepitheliomatous keratotic and micaceous balanitis: This is a rare type of balanitis, and it affects people only above 60. It causes wart-like, scaly skin sores on the glans of the penis.

Diagnosis of Balanitis

A doctor diagnoses balanitis based on physical examination and the symptoms of patients. Doctors do skin tests by using the sample cotton rubbed on the top of the glans. This test will help to identify the organism that caused the infection. Urine analysis is done to check the signs of diabetes. In the critical stages of identifying the organs causing balanitis biopsy (A piece of skin tissue is removed to test in lab analysis) is done.

Is balanitis serious?

Balanitis, in most cases, is not a severe condition. However, consulting with a healthcare provider is necessary to overcome balanitis. Doctors can make crucial decisions depending on the tests and symptoms of the condition. In a severe condition, most doctors recommend circumcision as a solution.

How Long Does Balanitis Last

Balanitis is a condition that usually affects males and disappears within one week of starting the treatment. In a situation where the symptoms get worse then changing the treatment method is a considerable one. 

What are the treatments for balanitis?

Doctors provide treatments based on the cause of the balanitis. Some of the common treatments are,

Balanitis Antifungal Cream: Antifungal creams are suggested only when yeast or fungal infections cause balanitis. The most commonly used antifungal creams for treating balanitis are clotrimazole, miconazole, and nystatin.

Antibiotics: If your balanitis is caused by sexually transmitted infection (STI) and bacterial organisms. Based on the cause and infection type, the doctors prescribe antibiotics. Likewise, the most commonly used antibiotic for bacterial infections is Penicillin or erythromycin and Amoxicillin is prescribed for STI.

Diabetes Control: If you are affected by diabetes then healthcare providers will explain how to control diabetes.

Circumcision: Circumcision is recommended by most of the doctors in chronic cases. Also, doctors suggest circumcision for men with tight foreskin. Circumcision reduces the chance of getting balanitis as stats show that 68% of circumcised men have a lower chance of getting balanitis than uncircumcised men. 

Takeaway

Balanitis is the most common condition that affects men. That, too, especially the man with foreskin. It can cause irritation, pain, and swelling in the head of the penis. Consulting with a healthcare provider can help in identifying the cause of the balanitis and will provide the proper working treatment.