Health Tips

Balanitis or Infection under the foreskin of uncircumcised men:

What is it?.

Balanitis is an infection or inflammation of the skin on the head (glans) of the penis. In men are not circumcised, this area is covered by the flap of skin known as the prepuce or foreskin. Balanitis can occur in both circumcised and uncircumcised men, although it occurs more commonly in men who are not circumcised. Boys and young men are generally affected only if they have a very tight foreskin that is difficult to undo.

A variety of infectious diseases and skin diseases can cause balanitis. These include:

Of infection with the yeast (Candida) or bacteria that live on the skin (and the most common cause)
* Sexually transmitted infections, such as herpes simplex
* Irritation of the skin of soap, detergents or spermicidal jelly
* Benign (noncancerous) skin diseases such as psoriasis
* Some types of skin cancer (very rare)

While any man can develop balanitis, the condition is most likely to occur in men who have a tight foreskin that is difficult to undo, or who have poor hygiene. Diabetes can make balanitis more likely, especially if the blood sugar is poorly controlled. Higher percentage of sugar in the blood causing high amounts of sugar in the urine. Sugar-rich urine, which drops to the glans and under the foreskin provides a friendly environment for yeast and bacteria. Also, people with poorly controlled diabetes find it difficult to fight infections.

When balanitis keeps recurring, it may be the cause of yeast infection transmitted back and forth between partners during sexual contact.

Symptoms

The symptoms include the following:

* A red, inflamed rash on the head and shaft of the penis or under the foreskin
* Itching or burning in the affected area
* A white flower, wrapped or yellowish discharge from the infected skin or from under the foreskin

Diagnosis

The doctor usually can recognize balanitis immediately. Sometimes, have been studied swabs or scratch the skin is under the microscope, or may be sent to a laboratory for further tests to confirm the diagnosis.

When balanitis does not respond to treatment or look different than the infection usually, your doctor may recommend that you see a dermatologist (skin specialist) or skin biopsy should be done. In the biopsy, a small piece of skin is removed and examined in the laboratory. This is done to determine whether you have an unusual type of injury or any other type of skin condition that is causing your symptoms.

The expected duration

Most cases of balanitis respond to treatment within three to five days.

Prevention

Uncircumcised men are the ones who should practice good hygiene, including fully back the foreskin during bathing. Patients with diabetes can help to prevent balanitis by carefully controlling the rate of sugar in the blood.

Treatment

Treatment depends on the cause.

If you have a problem is caused by yeast infection, and advised you will have to use anti-fungal cream. Clotrimazole (Lotrimin, Mycelex) is highly effective without a prescription, which is also used to treat vaginal yeast infections and athlete's foot. This applies to the affected area two to three times daily for 10 days. Your doctor may also recommend a prescription therapy, either in the form of cream or pill.

If you have a skin infection with the bacterium, and said you will have to use antibiotic cream, and make sure to clean the area completely. Sometimes grain antibiotics may be necessary.

When is an inflammation of the skin, but not infected, and will advise you to keep the area clean and dry and avoid any soap or dermatological preparations which can lead to aggravation of the situation. Sometimes cortisone cream can help to improve the problem more quickly. However, cortisone can make some diseases worse, so it is best to avoid this type of medication unless prescribed by a doctor.

Circumcision often prevents repeated infections, especially in uncircumcised men who have a tight, hard-to-back the foreskin. Once effective treatment begins, you usually do not need to avoid sex, although sexual contact can chafe or inflame the affected area. Rarely, sexual contact and can pass the infection back and forth between partners. If this happens, you may need to address each of the partners at the same time to prevent further accidents.

When you call to the technical

Contact your doctor if:

* You develop balanitis that does not respond to hygiene measures and excessive use of drugs of anti-fungal.
* The name of the doctor and prescription does not seem to treat your condition.
* Balanitis and keep returning.
* If you have diabetes, because balanitis may be a signal that the rate of sugar in the blood is not totally under control.