What is Balanitis?
Balanitis is an inflammatory process that occurs at the tip of the penis ( glans penis) which is caused by infection or other causes.
This condition is a common disease encountered in everyday clinical practice and can occur in men of all ages.
This disease can also occur in women, which is characterized by inflammation of the clitoris, but this condition is rare.
This condition consists of three types, namely Zoon’s Balanitis (the type that is generally found due to inflammation/infection), Circinate Balanitis (the type that appears due to reactive arthritis), and Pseudoepitheliomatous Keratotic and Micaceous Balanitis (the type characterized by crusty skin and the appearance of blisters).
Symptoms of Balanitis
Symptoms include redness at the tip of the penis, which may or may not be accompanied by blisters.
In addition, sufferers generally complain of several other symptoms, such as:
- There is a feeling of pain
- Itchy
- Swelling of the head of the penis
- Discharge of odorous fluid
- Pain when urinating
- Systemic symptoms such as fever, malaise, and swollen lymph nodes (lymphadenopathy) in the groin area ( inguinal ).
Causes and Risk Factors of Balanitis
Balanitis is caused by infection, either due to poor sexual behavior or an infection that is transmitted non-sexually.
Balanitis is also often caused by poor genital hygiene, especially in men who have not been circumcised.
A buildup of dirt called smegma usually forms under the foreskin at the tip of an uncircumcised penis, which can be a cause of balanitis.
In addition, other causes of balanitis can include irritation or allergic reactions and other conditions, such as phimosis.
The main risk factor for balanitis is uncircumcised genitals. At least 1 in 30 uncircumcised men develop balanitis.
In addition, several other risk factors that can cause this condition are:
- Lack of maintaining genital hygiene
- Use of certain types of soap/disinfectants and chemicals that can irritate the skin of the penis
- Poor sexual behavior that increases the risk of sexually transmitted infections
- The presence of abnormalities such as phimosis
- Conditions that cause a low immune system such as diabetes mellitus, patients with long-term steroid use, and patients undergoing chemotherapy.
Balanitis Diagnosis
A detailed anamnesis and physical examination are sufficient to help establish a diagnosis of balanitis.
However, if microbial culture facilities are available, examination of the type of bacteria, virus, or fungus, and antibiotic sensitivity can be carried out as well as supporting examinations to look for risk factors.
Other inspection actions include:
- The doctor will perform a physical examination of the penis, especially the head of the penis (glans) and foreskin (foreskin) to see signs of inflammation, redness, swelling, or discharge.
- Taking a sample of fluid or a sore from the affected area for laboratory testing. This test helps identify bacterial, fungal, or sexually transmitted infections.
- Urine examination to check for urinary tract infections that may accompany balanitis.
- Blood tests to identify underlying medical conditions, such as diabetes, that may contribute to balanitis.
- In rare cases and if the doctor suspects a more serious condition, such as skin cancer, a biopsy may be performed by taking a tissue sample from the affected area for further examination.
- If it is suspected that balanitis is caused by an allergic reaction or irritation, your doctor may recommend stopping use of certain products such as soaps, detergents, or lubricants to see if symptoms improve.
Balanitis Treatment
In patients with balanitis, maintaining routine hygiene is a mandatory management.
Cleaning is generally done with water only, without using other cleaning agents, and dried thoroughly.
In uncircumcised men, it is best to pull back the skin covering the tip of the penis when cleaning the genitals.
Other treatments are based on the cause of balanitis. Balanitis caused by bacteria is given antibiotics (penicillin, macrolide, and metronidazole) and antibiotic cream.
If caused by a fungus, anti-fungal cream and tablets (nystatin, fluconazole, miconazole) can be given.
Steroid creams are generally given to patients with balanitis caused by allergic reactions/irritation.
If balanitis occurs repeatedly, then circumcision is the best treatment that can be done.
So, if you have balanitis, these are the doctors who can help you treat it.
Balanitis Prevention
The best prevention is by circumcising the genitals. If circumcision cannot be done, then it is better to routinely maintain cleanliness to prevent the accumulation of smegma.
Prevention of sexually transmitted infections as well as preventing balanitis.
If balanitis is related to allergic reactions and irritation, then make sure that the compound is not used again.
Balanitis associated with other diseases can be prevented through regular treatment and routine check-ups.