Balanoposthitis – Causes, Symptoms and Treatments!

Balanoposthitis – Causes, Symptoms and Treatments that we should be aware of. Also, Balanoposthitis is an inflammation of the end of the penis (the glans). Often, the foreskin is also inflamed at the same time as the glans. (The foreskin is the loose skin that covers the glans if you have not been circumcised.)

Balanoposthitis is common and can occur at any age. This most commonly affects boys under the age of 4 and also men who have not been circumcised. About one in 25 boys and about one in 30 uncircumcised men are affected with balanoposthitis at some point in their lives. It is very uncommon in men who have been circumcised.

Main Symptoms of Balanoposthitis :  After physical examination, the following signs and symptoms may be noticed:

• Unraised red, moist lesion over glans and foreskin
• Ache
• Irritation
• redness of the penis
• Painful penis and foreskin
• Presence of discharge below the foreskin
• Tightening of the foreskin or phimosis
• smell failure
• Apparent ulcerations
• Unusual enlargement of the nodes in the groin areas
• fatigue
• Backache
• Anxiety

Main Causes of Balanoposthitis:  In almost all cases of Balanoposthitis it results from the existence of the foreskin, which can be unnecessary and tight, making it more susceptible to different infections. The facade of the foreskin provides under the common shedding of epithelial cells and gland secretions provide an inviting warm and moist environment for organisms. Therefore, proper personal hygiene is very important in the prevention of balanoposthitis .

Other Notable Causes Include:

• Using harsh soaps for genital washing
• Staphylococcus aureus infection
• Candida albicans infection
• uncontrolled diabetes
• Inadequate washing of soap while bathing
• Diseases such as fluid sclerosis and reactive arthritis.

Diagnosis of Balanoposthitis:  For the diagnosis of this condition, the doctor will do a physical evaluation which will reveal the symptoms most commonly associated with balanoposthitis . In addition to physical examination, proper history is also taken. Other tests include:

• Laboratory Studies
• Potassium Hydroxide Test: This is done to check for the presence of candidiasis infections . This is also cultivated to know the specific antifungal medication that the body is sensitive to.
• Serologic Test: This test may be prescribed for candidiasis infections , especially in cases where the infection is unclear.
• Skin Biopsy: This procedure is done if the recommended antifungal therapy does not produce a good result. This is also done to check the affected area for malignancy and to rule out other conditions.

Treatment of Balanoposthitis:  Management and handling for this condition focuses on clearing the onset of infection and inhibiting periodic irritation or infection through increased hygiene. The treatment regimen for balanoposthitis also depends on the cause. If the infection is caused by bacteria, the treatment will be antibiotics. Treatment may also include steroid-based creams to reduce inflammation.

Supportive Care:  Maintain proper personal hygiene and wash hands regularly Exposing the affected part to air will help stop the growth of anaerobic microorganisms.

Medical Care: Applying topical creams are the widely used treatment for this condition. The aim of this therapy is to eradicate the different microorganisms and prevent inflammation.

Antifungal Therapy: The means by which this class of drugs works include slowing down the pathways of substances essential for the production of the cell membrane of organisms or changing the ability of the cell membrane to allow the substance to pass through the cell membrane of fungal cells.

Cotrimazole (Lotrimin, Fomisol 7, Mycelex, Gyne-Lotrimin): These are drugs with broad-spectrum antifungal action. These are used to remedy skin infections, which result from different varieties of microorganisms that cause skin disorders and yeast. It slows down the growth of yeast by altering the ability of the cell membrane to allow the substance to pass through, which results in the death of fungal cells. 1% cream is usually prescribed.

Antimicrobial Therapy: The mechanisms by which these drugs work tend to destroy the infection-causing microbes, arrest their reproduction or development, or stop their disease causing actions.