What is Balanitis

Balanitis or Balanoposthitis is inflammation of the head of the penis or foreskin. It is a common condition in uncircumcised men.

What are the signs & symptoms?

• Redness, swelling, and soreness around the head of the penis or foreskin.
• A discharge under the foreskin
• Rash on the penis, itching.
• Unpleasant odor
• Pain urinating.

When to seek medical advice?

Balanitis is not a serious infection, but it can be a sign of another condition such as sexually transmitted infections or thrush.

What are the causes of balanitis?

• The commonest cause is the skin irritation by the accumulation of a cheesy-looking substance called smegma.
• Irritation of the skin by urine, soaps, or gels.

What are the types of balanitis?

• Zoon’s balanitis: Usually seen in middle-aged, uncircumcised men, with inflammation involving glans penis and the foreskin.
• Circinate balanitis: It is characterized by small, shallow, painless ulcerative lesions on the glans penis and It is associated with reactive arthritis.
• Pseudoepitheliomatous keratotic and micaceous balanitis: A condition characterized by scaly, wart-like skin lesions on the head of the penis

What are the complications of balanitis?

• Pain
• Ulcers on the glans or foreskin.
• Phimosis.
• Paraphimosis.
• Meatal/urethral stricture, and malignant