MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Balanitis

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Balanitis

Contents of this page:
Illustrations Alternative names Definition Causes, incidence, and risk factors Symptoms Signs and tests	Treatment Expectations (prognosis) Complications Calling your health care provider Prevention

Illustrations

Male reproductive anatomy

Circumcised vs. uncircumcised

Alternative names Return to top

Balanoposthitis

Definition Return to top

Balanitis is an inflammation of the foreskin and head of the penis.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors Return to top

Balanitis is usually caused by poor hygiene in uncircumcised men. The inflammation can be due to a bacterial, fungal, or viral infection, caustic soaps, or failure to properly rinse soap off while bathing. Several other diseases, including Reiter's syndrome and lichen sclerosis et atrophicus, can also produce balanitis.

Symptoms Return to top

redness of foreskin or penis
other rashes on the head of the penis
foul-smelling discharge
painful penis and foreskin

Signs and tests Return to top

Your dermatologist or urologist may be able to diagnosis the cause of your balanitis by examination alone. However, additional tests such as skin culture for viruses, fungi, or bacteria are often needed. Occasionally, a skin biopsy is required.

Treatment Return to top

Treatment depends on the cause of the balanitis. For example, infectious balanitis may be treated with antibiotic pills or creams. Balanitis occuring with skin diseases may respond to steroid creams. In severe cases, circumcision may be the best option.

Expectations (prognosis) Return to top

Most cases of balanitis can be controlled with medicated creams and good hygiene. Surgery is not usually necessary. Outcomes are nearly always positive.

Complications Return to top

Chronic inflammation or infection can:

Scar and narrow the opening of the penis (urethral stricture)
Make it difficult and painful to retract the foreskin to expose the tip of the penis(phimosis)
Make it difficult to reposition the foreskin to cover the head of the penis (paraphimosis); swelling can affect the blood supply to the tip of the penis

Calling your health care provider Return to top

Notify your health care provider if you are experiencing any signs of balanitis including swelling of the foreskin or pain.

Prevention Return to top

Good hygiene can prevent most cases of balanitis. During bathing, the foreskin should be retracted to adequately clean and dry the area beneath it.

Update Date: 11/12/2003

Updated by: Scott M. Gilbert, M.D., Department of Urology, Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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