Balanitis (patient information): Difference between revisions

Jump to navigation Jump to search
No edit summary
Line 14: Line 14:
==What causes Balanitis?==
==What causes Balanitis?==
Balanitis is usually caused by poor hygiene in uncircumcised men. Other possible causes include:
Balanitis is usually caused by poor hygiene in uncircumcised men. Other possible causes include:


* Diseases such as reactive arthritis and lichen sclerosis et atrophicus
* Diseases such as reactive arthritis and lichen sclerosis et atrophicus
Line 31: Line 29:


In severe cases, circumcision may be the best option. If you cannot pull back (retract) the foreskin to clean it, you may need to be circumcised
In severe cases, circumcision may be the best option. If you cannot pull back (retract) the foreskin to clean it, you may need to be circumcised
==Where to find medical care for Balanitis?==
==Where to find medical care for Balanitis?==
[http://maps.google.com/maps?q={{urlencode:{{#if:{{{1|}}}|{{{1}}}|map+top+hospital+Condition}}}}&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wlDirections to Hospitals Treating Balanitis]
[http://maps.google.com/maps?q={{urlencode:{{#if:{{{1|}}}|{{{1}}}|map+top+hospital+Condition}}}}&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wlDirections to Hospitals Treating Balanitis]
==Prevention==
==Prevention==


Good hygiene can prevent most cases of balanitis. When you bathe, pull back (retract) the foreskin to clean and dry the area under it.
Good hygiene can prevent most cases of balanitis. When you bathe, pull back (retract) the foreskin to clean and dry the area under it.
==What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?==
==What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?==
Most cases of balanitis can be controlled with medicated creams and good hygiene. Surgery is not usually needed.
Most cases of balanitis can be controlled with medicated creams and good hygiene. Surgery is not usually needed.
==Possible complications==
==Possible complications==
Long-term inflammation or infection can:
Long-term inflammation or infection can:
* Scar and narrow the opening of the penis (meatal stricture)
* Scar and narrow the opening of the penis (meatal stricture)
* Make it difficult and painful to retract the foreskin to expose the tip of the penis (a condition called phimosis)
* Make it difficult and painful to retract the foreskin to expose the tip of the penis (a condition called phimosis)
* Make it difficult to move the foreskin over the head of the penis (a condition called paraphimosis)
* Make it difficult to move the foreskin over the head of the penis (a condition called paraphimosis)
* Affect the blood supply to the tip of the penis
* Affect the blood supply to the tip of the penis
==Sources==
==Sources==


Line 58: Line 47:


[[Category:Patient information]]
[[Category:Patient information]]
[[Category:Circumcision debate]]
[[Category:Inflammations]]
[[Category:Urology]]
[[Category:Penis]]
[[Category:Signs and symptoms]]
[[Category:Primary care]]


{{WH}}
{{WH}}
{{WS}}
{{WS}}

Revision as of 19:08, 20 March 2013

Balanitis

Overview

What are the symptoms?

What are the causes?

Diagnosis

When to seek urgent medical care?

Treatment options

Where to find medical care for Balanitis?

Prevention

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?

Possible complications

Balanitis On the Web

Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov

Images of Balanitis

Videos on Balanitis

FDA on Balanitis

CDC on Balanitis

Balanitis in the news

Blogs on Balanitis

Directions to Hospitals Treating Balanitis

Risk calculators and risk factors for Balanitis

For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click here

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Kalsang Dolma, M.B.B.S.[2]

Overview

Balanitis is swelling (inflammation) of the foreskin and head of the penis.

What are the symptoms of Balanitis?

  • Redness of foreskin or penis
  • Other rashes on the head of the penis
  • Foul-smelling discharge
  • Painful penis and foreskin

What causes Balanitis?

Balanitis is usually caused by poor hygiene in uncircumcised men. Other possible causes include:

  • Diseases such as reactive arthritis and lichen sclerosis et atrophicus
  • Infection
  • Harsh soaps
  • Not rinsing soap off properly while bathing
  • Uncontrolled diabetes

Diagnosis

Your health care provider may be able to diagnose your balanitis by examination alone. However, you may need skin tests for viruses, fungi, or bacteria. Sometimes, a skin biopsy is needed.

When to seek urgent medical care?

Tell your health care provider if you have any signs of balanitis, including swelling of the foreskin or pain.

Treatment options

Treatment depends on the cause of the balanitis. For example, balanitis that is caused by bacteria may be treated with antibiotic pills or creams. Balanitis that occurs with skin diseases may respond to steroid creams. Anti-fungal creams will be prescribed if it is due to a fungus.

In severe cases, circumcision may be the best option. If you cannot pull back (retract) the foreskin to clean it, you may need to be circumcised

Where to find medical care for Balanitis?

to Hospitals Treating Balanitis

Prevention

Good hygiene can prevent most cases of balanitis. When you bathe, pull back (retract) the foreskin to clean and dry the area under it.

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?

Most cases of balanitis can be controlled with medicated creams and good hygiene. Surgery is not usually needed.

Possible complications

Long-term inflammation or infection can:

  • Scar and narrow the opening of the penis (meatal stricture)
  • Make it difficult and painful to retract the foreskin to expose the tip of the penis (a condition called phimosis)
  • Make it difficult to move the foreskin over the head of the penis (a condition called paraphimosis)
  • Affect the blood supply to the tip of the penis

Sources

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000862.htm

Template:WH Template:WS