Balanitis (inflammation of the glans)

Bala­ni­tis is an inflamm­a­ti­on of the glans penis and one of the most com­mon uro­lo­gi­cal com­plaints in men. It par­ti­cu­lar­ly affects uncir­cumcis­ed men, as a warm, moist envi­ron­ment can deve­lop under the fores­kin. The inflamm­a­ti­on is fre­quent­ly cau­sed by fun­gi such as Can­di­da albicans or by bac­te­ri­al infec­tions with strep­to­coc­ci and staphylococci.

Cau­ses

Mecha­ni­cal irri­ta­ti­on from clot­hing that is too tight, all­er­gic reac­tions to latex or care pro­ducts, and insuf­fi­ci­ent or exces­si­ve hygie­ne can also trig­ger bala­ni­tis. A nar­ro­wed fores­kin encou­ra­ges its deve­lo­p­ment, as germs and smeg­ma can accu­mu­la­te underneath.

Sym­ptoms

Tho­se affec­ted suf­fer from red­ness and swel­ling of the glans, itching, bur­ning and pain. Whitish coa­tings, increased secre­ti­on or an unp­lea­sant odour often occur. In advan­ced cases, blis­ters, wee­ping are­as or ulcers may form.

Dia­gno­sis

The dia­gno­sis is made by cli­ni­cal exami­na­ti­on and a swab to iden­ti­fy the patho­gen. In recur­rent inflamm­a­ti­on, test­ing for dia­be­tes is also advi­sa­ble, as ele­va­ted blood sugar levels encou­ra­ge fun­gal infec­tions. Tre­at­ment depends on the cause:

Tre­at­ment

Anti­bio­tic oint­ments are used for bac­te­ri­al infec­tions and anti­fun­gal creams for fun­gal infec­tions. Gent­le hygie­ne with pH-neu­tral pro­ducts is important. The glans should be clea­ned dai­ly with luke­warm water and dried tho­rough­ly; aggres­si­ve soaps should be avo­ided. In stub­born cases or whe­re the fores­kin is nar­ro­wed, cir­cumcis­i­on may be con­side­red. For pre­ven­ti­on, regu­lar but not exces­si­ve inti­ma­te hygie­ne is decisive.

Breat­ha­ble cot­ton under­wear and avo­i­ding aggres­si­ve care pro­ducts help to pre­vent balanitis.