Andrology - male diseases >>>> What is balanitis, fasting and balanoposthitis?

What is balanitis, fasting and balanoposthitis?

The inflammatory process affecting the glans penis is called balanitis. If the inner surface of the foreskin is inflamed, then they talk about fasting. Balanitis can provoke fasting and vice versa, therefore, often these two processes occur almost simultaneously, that is, the inflammation spreads to the foreskin and the tissue of the glans penis is gradually involved. Then the disease is called "balanoposthitis".

The causes of balanoposthitis (and of course balanitis and postitis) are very diverse, inflammation can be:

provoked by mechanical injury,
irritation with urine or smegma,
wearing tight, tight underwear or trousers,
in violation of hygiene,
caused by pathogenic microorganisms,
considered as a sign of lowered immunity,
a sign of the development of diabetes mellitus,
irritation with detergents,
the result of other diseases and many other factors.

Balanoposthitis (balanitis and postitis) can occur at any age (including children). If balanoposthitis (balanitis, postitis) occurs as an independent disease, then they speak of primary balanoposthitis (balanitis, post). But if the development of the inflammatory process is preceded by any disease, then this is secondary balanoposthitis (balanitis, postitis). Secondary balanoposthitis is often provoked by skin diseases (psoriasis, lupus erythematosus, scleroderma), infectious diseases (gonorrhea, syphilis, trichomoniasis, candidiasis, genital herpes), phimosis (narrowing of the foreskin).

Signs of balanoposthitis (balanitis, postitis) are reflected in painful sensations in the head of the penis, often accompanied by itching, burning sensation. External signs (swelling, redness) are visible to the naked eye. Focal eruptions are sometimes observed. In a neglected state, cracks and crusts may appear. Since balanoposthitis (balanitis, postitis) can occur in several forms (erosive, ulcerative, hypertrophic, obliterating, purulent, gangrenous), many signs of balanoposthitis will correspond to each of the forms of the course of the disease.

Erosive - ulcerative forms of balanoposthitis are accompanied by the development of erosions and ulcers, causing pain at rest and especially when moving.
The purulent form of balanoposthitis has characteristic manifestations in the form of pustules, which eventually turn into ulcers.
Balanoposthitis obliterans is characterized by a feeling of tightness of the flesh, atrophy of the skin and mucous membranes in the head of the penis and the appearance of cracks and scars. Balanoposthitis obliterans can narrow the diameter of the urethra and lead to urinary problems.
The hypertrophic form of balanoposthitis occurs during the chronicity of the inflammatory process and is characterized by more vivid manifestations of the symptoms of the course of the disease, long-term non-healing ulcers, persistent tissue inflammation.
With the gangrenous form of balanoposthitis, deep ulcers are formed, followed by tissue necrosis (tissue death).

Many forms of the course of balanoposthitis can be accompanied by a violation of the general condition, an increase in temperature, an increase in the inguinal lymph nodes.

Balanoposthitis is dangerous because, with incorrect and untimely treatment, mild forms of its course turn into more complex conditions, dangerous by the appearance of deep scars, perforation of the foreskin, deformities, loss of sensitivity and many irreparable changes in the structure of the penis.

Treatment of balanoposthitis (balanitis, postitis) depends on the form of its course (purulent or non-purulent). With a non-purulent course of the disease, treatment is aimed at eliminating the underlying disease and / or infectious agents that cause inflammation.

Antimicrobial therapy is carried out according to the previously identified pathogenic microorganisms, therefore it is useless to treat balanoposthitis (balanitis, postitis) with antibiotics if its causative agent is a virus or fungus. Antibacterial therapy is carried out according to the resistance of the microflora that caused the inflammation. In difficult cases, immunostimulating agents are prescribed to maintain the body's resistance to infection, especially when it comes to pathogens of viral origin.

Purulent processes require antiseptic treatment of wounds and broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy. With the gangrenous form of balanoposthitis, surgical intervention is required. If phimosis became the factor that provoked balanoposthitis (balanitis, postitis), then circumcision of the foreskin is required.

An easy form of the course of balanoposthitis does not require complex treatment and is limited to baths at room temperature (hot ones will provoke a purulent process) with the participation of antiseptic solutions (furacilin, potassium permanganate, saline), plant infusions - antiseptics and lubrication after the bath with ointment or cream (zinc, synthomycin, tetracycline).

Corticosteroid ointments are used only in cases of xerotic or obliterating balanoposthitis.

In any case, balanoposthitis (balanitis, postitis) requires observation by a urologist or andrologist for the duration of treatment.