Balanoposthitis is a urological disease, which is characterized by a simultaneous inflammatory process of the glans penis in men (balanitis) and certain areas of the foreskin (posthitis). In fact, these are two diseases, but often they occur simultaneously, and they were combined under the general name - balanoposthitis. Patients sometimes call this disease balanoposthitis of the foreskin. It occurs in both adult men and children. Balanoposthitis in boys is more often diagnosed between the ages of 3 and 7.
Reasons
Among the causes are the infectious nature of the disease and non-infectious. Infectious balanoposthitis mainly occurs due to sexually transmitted infections (STIs), which include:
- Syphilis.
- Gonorrhea.
- Genital herpes.
- Candidiasis.
- Human papillomavirus (HPV).
- Gardnerellosis.
- Mycoplasmosis.
- Chlamydia.
- Trichomoniasis.
- Infections of the reproductive system (urethritis, cystitis, prostatitis).
- Non-specific pathogens (E. coli, staphylococcus aureus, streptococcus).
Non-infectious causes of balanoposthitis include:
- Diabetes mellitus.
- Irritative balanoposthitis - occurs as a result of any stimulus, such as mechanical or chemical (thermal).
- Lichen planus.
- Psoriasis.
- Rare diseases (Behçet's disease, Queyre's erythroplasia, xerotic obliterans balanoposthitis, Zoon's plasma cell balanitis).
Predisposing factors
In addition to the obvious causative agents of this pathology, there are other factors that predispose to its development. These include:
- Violation of personal hygiene.
- Phimosis (narrowing of the foreskin).
- Immune diseases and allergic reactions.
- Promiscuous sex.
Symptoms
Treatment of balanoposthitis in men usually does not cause difficulties with a correct diagnosis. Symptoms of the disease depend on the severity of the course of the disease and the presence or absence of complications. There are two forms of this disease: acute and chronic. The acute form, depending on the symptoms, can be manifested by three types of balanoposthitis. So, they distinguish between simple balanoposthitis, erosive and gangrenous.
Simple balanoposthitis
This is a mild form of this disease. Treatment of balanoposthitis in men in this case usually takes 5-7 days. The characteristic signs of simple balanoposthitis are:
- Burning and itching. Usually appear first. These discomforts tend to be aggravated by rubbing underwear, touching the foreskin and glans, and urinating.
- The head (as well as the foreskin) is red - these signs of inflammation can be located in the form of foci, either separated from each other or combined into one group.
- Swelling and wrinkling of the head and foreskin are observed, i.e. maceration of the skin occurs - this is bursting, loosening of tissues as a result of their impregnation with intercellular fluid.
- Erosions form on the head and foreskin. This may be a single spot on the foreskin or multiple erosions, often combined into a single group.
- Often there is a purulent discharge from the urethra.
Erosive balanoposthitis
This type of balanoposthitis is characterized by the formation of multiple erosions on the head and foreskin. First, a white swollen growth appears in a certain area. The white thin film on it is the dead cells of the epithelium. After some time, this film bursts, and a very painful erosion (red spot) appears. After such damage heals, no traces remain.
Gangrenous balanoposthitis
This form of the disease is very severe and is characterized, in addition to local lesions, alsocommon signs of intoxication, namely: fever, weakness and malaise. Very painful bleeding and purulent ulcers are observed on the head and foreskin of the penis. Due to the edema, phimosis occurs, i.e. it is impossible to expose the head of the penis. After tightening the ulcers, scars remain. They can also lead to phimosis, because these scars are connective tissue formations that are not able to stretch. In addition, perforations may remain on the foreskin after ulcers have healed.
Signs of balanoposthitis in some STIs
| STI that caused balanoposthitis | Characteristic symptoms |
| Gonorrheal | There are classic signs of simple balanoposthitis, which are combined with urethritis. |
| Chlamydia | Usually, only signs of balanitis appear, i.e. foci of inflammation (red spots) are present only on the head of the penis, they are distinguished by the presence of clear contours. |
| Trichomonas | More often manifested as urethritis. It is distinguished by the presence of purulent discharge of yellow or white color, which have a foamy character. These secretions accumulate between the head and foreskin. They have a very bad smell. The head of the penis may be completely swollen and red, or there may be isolated foci of inflammation. |
| Candidiasis | The first signs are itching and burning, which then turn into pain. With the further course of the disease, a plaque appears on the headwhite color, which resembles curdled lumps and is easily removed. This is how candidal balanoposthitis manifests itself in men. Treatment is with antifungal agents. |
| Herpetic | The head of the penis and the foreskin are covered with many bubbles with transparent watery contents. These bubbles burst, and reddish-pink sores form in their place. After tightening these sores, age spots remain. This type of balanoposthitis, as a rule, proceeds in a chronic form with periods of exacerbation and remission. |
| Syphilitic | With this type of balanoposthitis on the skin of the head and foreskin, a hard chancre is formed - painless sores that appear at the site of the primary infection in the primary period of syphilis. |
| Gardnerella | Reminiscent of simple balanoposthitis, but with very poor manifestations. If the patient's immune system is strong, then this type of balanoposthitis disappears without treatment within 2-3 days. Treatment of balanoposthitis in men in this case can be omitted. |
| Papillomavirus | Appears as genital warts. May affect other parts of the body. |
Some signs of balanoposthitis with a non-infectious nature of occurrence
| Type of balanoposthitis | Characteristic symptoms |
| For lichen planus | As a rule, in the area of the neck of the penis, separate or combined ingroups of nodules that have an irregular shape. They have white scales on their surface. Such nodules also appear on other parts of the body. |
| Balanoposthitis with psoriasis | Lesions are formed on any part of the body, including the penis. This type of balanoposthitis is characterized by the appearance of red nodules covered with small scales. |
| With diabetes | Signs of this type of balanoposthitis depend on the severity of diabetes and the age of the patient. Typical symptoms are: redness of the head and foreskin, pain in these areas. There may be dryness, cracks and ulceration of these areas, as well as their bleeding. After healing of cracks, scars remain. |
Features of balanoposthitis in boys
Infectious balanoposthitis practically does not occur in childhood. The most common causes of this condition in children are:
- Violation of personal hygiene rules.
- The secretion of excess smegma that accumulates between the head of the penis and the foreskin, forming a breeding ground for bacteria.
- Phimosis.
- Hypertrophic phimosis or overdeveloped foreskin.
Treatment of balanoposthitis in men. Drugs
First of all, it is necessary to establish the cause that caused the disease. It is not recommended to self-medicate. It is necessary to contact a urologist or dermatologist (venereologist). Treatment of balanoposthitis in men is often carried out specific, depending onfrom the pathogen. At the same time, it is necessary to carefully follow all the recommendations of the doctor.
So, if candidal balanoposthitis is established in men, treatment should be carried out using antifungal agents. At the same time, local antifungal ointments "Mikogal", "Miconazole", "Terbinafine", "Candide", "Clotrimazole", "Omoconazole", etc. are used. The ointment is rubbed into the affected areas 2 times a day. Before the procedure, it is necessary to carry out thorough hygiene of the genital organs (wash with soap and water). This treatment usually lasts about 3-4 weeks.
Often use antibacterial and anti-allergic agents when treating balanoposthitis in men. Preparations "Locasalen", "Lorinden", "Locacorten" based on flumatozone pivallate are powerful agents that simultaneously have anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effects. Treatment with these drugs is also carried out under the supervision of a physician.
"Levomekol" - ointment. Price
This drug contains two active ingredients: levomycetin (chloramphenicol) and methyluracil. The first is a broad-spectrum antibiotic and is capable of destroying pathogens. The second substance stimulates the regeneration of damaged epidermal tissues. Ointment "Levomikol" is prescribed for all types of balanoposthitis.
Very effective for balanoposthitisdrug "Levomekol" (ointment). Its price is low, within 100 rubles. Therefore, the remedy is used for any type of this disease.
Bandages with ointment are applied to the damaged areas at night after thorough hygiene of the genitals. This procedure is done within 5 days. Treatment must be carried out under medical supervision.
In balanoposthitis caused by STIs, a specific treatment is used to destroy the pathogen.
