Balanitis – inflammation of the glans penisfasting – inflammation of the foreskin. These diseases always accompany each other, so most often they are combined into one term “balanoposthitis”.
The main root cause of the development of balanoposthitis is the accumulation of a special substance – smegma under the foreskin, and its infection. This occurs in people who do not pay enough attention to the toilet of the glans penis or who suffer from phimosis. The cause of balanoposthitis can be purulent urethritis, an allergic reaction, diabetes mellitus.
Balanoposthitis begins with the appearance of a burning sensation and itching in the area of the glans penis, an unpleasant sensation when the foreskin is opened. Also found pain or discomfort in the head during intercourse. Swelling and redness of the glans penis and foreskin are noted. If the disease is caused by phimosis, then pus or smegma with an unpleasant odor is released from the preputial sac.
In some cases, the general condition may worsen – weakness appears, the body temperature rises slightly. Due to the constant irritation of the glans penis, which is the main erogenous zone, sexual excitability increases in patients with balanoposthitis.
It is necessary to be treated for balanoposthitis. If left untreated, after a while, numerous small sores (ulcerative form of balanoposthitis) are found on the glans penis, this is accompanied by pain when walking, urinating and having sexual intercourse. With further absence of treatment, lymphangitis develops – inflammation of the lymphatic vessels of the penis, which is manifested by the appearance of red stripes on its back plane. Further, inguinal lymphadenitis (inflammation of the inguinal lymph nodes) and gangrene of the penis may develop.
If the disease has not reached a severe form, treatment consists only in a regular thorough toilet of the glans penis with soap, with weak solutions of hydrogen peroxide, potassium permanganate, furacillin. In more severe cases, it is necessary to resort to a course of antibiotic therapy.
If the development of the disease is caused by phimosis, then surgical treatment will be necessary. In the acute phase of inflammation, minimal intervention is carried out – a longitudinal dissection of the foreskin, and after the severity of the process subsides, the foreskin is subjected to circular excision (circumcision operation).
Prevention of balanoposthitis consists in regular toileting of the glans penis and foreskin (daily shower) and timely treatment of phimosis and other diseases that may be complicated by the development of balanoposthitis.