Inflammation of the glans penis is called balanitis
Inflammation of the glans penis is called balanitis. This condition is quite common in urological practice. Cases of the disease do not depend on the age category of the patient. Balanitis occurs in both adult men and boys.
Causes of balanitis
Among the main causes of development, lies non-compliance with basic hygiene. Do not discount the oppressed immunity. The obliterating form of balanitis occurs as an independent, primary disease, the true causes of which are not yet clear.
The disease can also manifest itself a second time, being a symptom of a general, infectious, endocrinological or autoimmune disease. Often, sexually transmitted infections and fungal lesions of the genital organ (candidiasis dermatitis, turning into balanitis) lead to the development of balanitis.
The cause of the development of balanitis in children, as a rule, is a narrowing of the foreskin, which causes the accumulation of urine and smegma residues in the prepucial sac, an infection that joins and causes an inflammatory process on the head of the penis.
Types of balanite
According to the nature of the course, chronic and acute balanitis are divided. By origin, it can be secondary and primary. The clinical picture of the disease determines its type:
Plain;
Erosive;
Ulcerative;
Chronic hypertrophic;
Obliterating balanitis.
Symptoms of balanitis
The first local symptoms of balanitis are characterized by the appearance of:
burning,
itching,
redness,
swelling of the head.
In the acute course of the disease, they are joined by common symptoms in the form of headache, fever and a decrease in the overall tone of the body. The amount of smegma may increase and purulent discharge from the preputial sac may be observed.
Erosive and ulcerative forms, respectively, are expressed by the formation of ulcers and erosions on the head of the penis. With these forms of balanitis, the patient constantly experiences pain in the penis area, which even makes it difficult for him to move.
The obliterating form is manifested by the appearance of scarring on the skin and a feeling of tightness. At the stage of an actively developed obliterating form, a narrowing of the urethral canal may occur and, as a consequence, a violation of urination.
Candidiasis balanitis is characterized by severe itching and erosive lesions of the glans penis, covered with a white coating. When it is removed, pronounced hyperemia of the skin of the head is detected.
Among the first symptoms of childhood balanitis, the child’s anxiety occupies a special place. Against the background of whims, there is an increase in temperature, when trying to bare the head of the penis, a violent reaction is manifested. Urination is accompanied by crying due to the irritating effect of urine on the skin of the penis head.
Diagnosis of balanitis
Diagnosis of the condition is simple and is based on an objective clinical picture revealed during the survey and examination. The identification of the causative agent of the disease is important for the subsequent successful treatment tactics. For these purposes, a urethral smear should be prescribed. If it is impossible to suppress the disease with conventional therapy, with a chronic course of balanitis, a detailed diagnosis is carried out with studies on STIs, PCR analysis, blood sugar analysis (balanitis often occurs in patients with diabetes mellitus).
Treatment of balanitis
With an uncomplicated course of the disease, the use of local anti-inflammatory and antiseptic agents is sufficient. Thorough hygienic washing of the penis with soap every 3-4 hours is recommended. Also, local treatment is supplemented with the use of a solution of potassium permanganate, hydrogen peroxide, decoctions of medicinal herbs with an anti-inflammatory effect.
With the erosive form of balanitis, local application of ointments with an anti-inflammatory effect is indicated.
With the candidiasis form of balanitis, local application of antifungal ointments is indicated
With the obliterating form of balanitis, local application of hormonal anti-inflammatory ointments is indicated.
With the development of narrowing of the urethra, surgical intervention is indicated.
In children, balanitis is treated topically, affecting the skin of the head with antiseptic solutions. If the development of balanitis was caused by phimosis, then surgical circumcision is indicated.
