Balanitis - Symptoms, causes and treatment

Balanitis is inflammation of the foreskin or head of the penis. This condition is characterized by the head of the penis that looks red and swollen due to a bacterial infection, infection mold, or allergy.

Balanitis can be experienced by anyone, especially children under 4 years old and adult men who have not been circumcised. However, this condition can also be experienced by adult men or babies who have been circumcised. Balanitis is not a serious condition and can heal within a few days with proper treatment.

Causes of Balanitis

The most common cause of balanitis is a bacterial or fungal infection. Infection can occur when the glans or foreskin is not cleaned regularly, causing irritation and leading to fungal or bacterial growth. If left unchecked, this condition can trigger inflammation.

In addition to infection, balanitis can also be caused by various other factors, such as:

  • The use of bar soap that makes the skin of the penis dry and irritated easily.
  • Allergy to lubricants or latex condoms.
  • Take certain medications, such as laxatives, pain relievers, and antibiotics.
  • Sexually transmitted infections, such as syphilis, trichomoniasis, and gonorrhea.
  • Skin disorders, such as eczema and psoriasis.
  • Injury to the tip of the penis or foreskin.
  • Certain diseases or disorders, such as diabetes and phimosis.
  • Obesity.

Symptoms of Balanitis

The main symptoms of balanitis are redness and swelling of the head of the penis or foreskin. The swollen tip of the penis can cause pressure on the urinary tract and the sufferer feels pain when urinating.

Balanitis also has some additional symptoms, such as:

  • The penis feels itchy and like burning.
  • Discharge of yellowish and smelly discharge from the penis.
  • The foreskin feels tight.
  • A lump appears in the groin due to swollen lymph nodes.

When to go to the doctor

Immediately consult a doctor if you experience the symptoms of balanitis that have been mentioned above. Early treatment needs to be done to prevent serious complications.

Get regular health checkups if you have diabetes, because uncontrolled blood sugar levels can trigger balanitis. Blood sugar checks should be done at least twice a year.

Immediately consult a doctor if you are at high risk of contracting a sexually transmitted disease due to unsafe sex. Get screened for sexually transmitted infections regularly, at least once a year, to prevent balanitis or other dangerous diseases.

Go to the emergency room immediately if you experience symptoms of balanitis accompanied by fever and pain when urinating. Treatment needs to be done immediately to relieve symptoms and prevent complications.

Diagnosis of Balanitis

Doctors can diagnose balanitis through signs of redness on the head of the penis that indicate inflammation. If the penis discharges, the doctor will perform a swab test to take a sample of the fluid. This examination is done to detect bacteria or fungi that cause infection.

If balanitis is caused by a chronic skin infection, the doctor will perform a biopsy by taking a sample of penile tissue and examining it in a laboratory.

Balanitis Treatment

Balanitis can be treated through drug therapy. The type of medication used depends on the underlying cause. Commonly administered drugs are:

  • Antibiotics

    Antibiotics are used to treat balanitis caused by a bacterial infection. This drug is given in the form of an ointment or pills. Examples of antibiotics used are: amoxicillin, cefadroxil, and ciprofloxacin.

  • antifungal

    Antifungals are used to treat balanitis caused by fungal infections Candida (candidiasis balanitis). This drug is given in the form of a cream or tablet. Some types of antifungal drugs used are: clotrimazole, fluconazole, and itraconazole.

  • Corticosteroids

    This drug is used to relieve inflammation in balanitis, either due to infection or allergies. Examples of corticosteroid drugs that are often given are: prednisolone, methylprednisolone, and betamethasone.

During treatment, people with balanitis are recommended to do the following things to speed up healing:

  • Avoid using soap as long as the penis is still inflamed.
  • Use warm water and moisturizing cream instead of soap to clean the penis.
  • Avoid having sex, especially if the balanitis is caused by a sexually transmitted infection. This is done to prevent pain in the penis and transmission of disease to partners.

Treatment generally lasts for 7 days. If symptoms worsen and medications are no longer effective at treating balanitis, the doctor will perform circumcision or circumcision. Circumcision is performed on patients with balanitis who have never been circumcised or have phimosis.

Complications of Balanitis

Most balanitis resolves within a few days with proper treatment. If not treated immediately, balanitis can cause the following conditions:

  • Priapism.
  • phimosis.
  • Penile cancer, although it is rare.

Prevention of Balanitis

The main step to prevent balanitis is to keep the penis clean. Clean the penis regularly using water and soap, especially when bathing and after sexual intercourse. After that, dry the penis before wearing underwear.

Make sure the soap you use to clean the penis is not bar soap or soap containing scrub or perfume.

Other balanitis prevention measures are as follows:

  • Use condoms specifically for sensitive skin, if you have an allergy to condoms with certain ingredients.
  • Wash your hands before touching your penis while urinating, especially after using detergent or dish soap.
  • If you have diabetes, have regular health check-ups to control blood sugar levels.
  • If you are obese, take steps to lose weight, such as exercising regularly and maintaining a healthy diet.