Balanitis Information
Balanitis is an inflammation that affects the head of the penis and/or the foreskin.
Most common in men over 40 years old, Balanitis is a condition affecting about 11% of adult men and 3% of children. Balanitis is characterized by shiny red to orange plaque (area). It can also present as a yellow hue with red pinpoint spotting.
Signs Symptoms of Balanitis
Occurring only in uncircumcised men, balanitis causes the following symptoms:
- Tenderness
- Discharge from the penis
- Impotence
- Swelling
- Difficulty with passing urine
- Inability to retract the foreskin
Causes of Balanitis
The causes of balanitis are not known for sure but include:
- Friction
- Poor hygiene
- Response to infection. Various viruses and organisms can cause balanitis. These include HPV (human papilloma virus)
- Chemical irritants (ie condoms) an allergic reaction
- In overweight and obese men
- Penis cancer
- Diabetes
Complications of Balanitis
The most common serious complication of balanitis is phimosis, an inability to retract the foreskin from the glans penis.
