When a couple is born a son, she is forced to face many specific diseases. One of them is balanitis in a child. In most cases, the pathology is fungal in nature. Its main symptom is inflammation of the skin on the head of the penis. Such an unpleasant problem requires a serious approach in therapy and can not do without the use of special drugs. How to treat balanitis in children will be discussed in today's article.
Features of the disease
Balanitis belongs to the category of inflammatory diseases. Its development is always accompanied by itching, discomfort and soreness in the area of the glans penis. The pathological process is based on the action of alien organisms, much less often it is a consequence of mechanical damage.
Balanitis can occur in a child of any age. In infants, its appearance is due to prolonged wearing of diapers. First, it causes diaper rash, and then - the inflammatory process.
In total, there are several forms of the disease: simple, candidal, obliterating, erosive. Each of them has characteristic symptoms and requires a specific treatment option. For example, with candida balanitis, a small rash appears on the skin, and in the case of erosive multiple ulcers. Obliterating form is accompanied by atrophy of individual sections of the dermis.
Any of the presented forms of the disease can worsen. In this case, the condition of the child deteriorates sharply, he becomes tearful and irritable. Therefore, if you suspect balanitis, whose symptoms will be described below, you should immediately seek medical help. The sooner the doctor prescribes treatment, the faster recovery will come.
Why does the disease occur?
The main cause of balanitis is infection. It penetrates between the glans penis and foreskin. Usually in its role is a fungus of the genus Candidae or other pathogenic flora. The following factors may contribute to their appearance:
- Physiological phimosis. This is a fairly common violation in which the head cannot be completely exposed. The result is an enclosed space inaccessible to high-quality hygiene procedures. Between the foreskin and the head, a favorable environment is created for the life of pathogenic microbes. With age, physiological phimosis passes on its own. That is why children under 5 years of age are more susceptible to balanitis.
- Non-observance of basic rules of personal hygiene. Many babies simply do not know and do not know how to properly care for their bodies. In the absence of regular water procedures, inflammation of the glans penis occurs in the child.
Sometimes the development of the pathological process is accompanied by serious health problems. In this case, balanitis is secondary. The risk group includes children with diabetes mellitus, helminthic invasions and sexually transmitted diseases.
The first manifestations of balanitis
Often, the development of the disease is preceded by the well-being of the child. He may complain of itching and redness in the area of the glans penis. Parents themselves begin to notice his restless state. Among the main symptoms indicating active reproduction of pathogenic microflora, it should be noted:
- mild swelling of the skin in the area of infection;
- a reddish rash;
- the appearance of scales on the genitals;
- secretion of purulent secretion from under the foreskin with an unpleasant odor.
Young children cannot tell clearly about their problem. They begin to be capricious at the next attempt to examine the genitals. In the acute stage, babies consciously restrain urge to urinate, which ends with enuresis at night.
Candidiasis balanitis in a child, in addition to the symptoms listed above, is accompanied by an increase in temperature. Sometimes in the groin area lymph nodes increase. Children with this disorder look lethargic and constantly sleepy.
Medical examination
For successful treatment, it is necessary to determine the form of the disease. First, the doctor should examine the small patient, analyze the complaints and examine his medical history. After this, studies are appointed to determine the causative agent of the disease. For this purpose, a smear from the urethra is taken.
With a complicated course of the pathological process or its chronization, additional diagnostics are carried out. A small patient is assigned a comprehensive examination:
- Blood test for sugar.
- Testing for STIs (taken only from adolescents).
- PCR
If it was possible to timely identify balanitis in children, treatment allows you to cope with its manifestations within 3-4 days. During this period, inflammation, as a rule, manages to stop.
How to help a child at home?
Sometimes it is possible to defeat balanitis in children at home. Treatment will be effective only at the initial stage of the disease. However, before this, a consultation with a pediatrician is required.
The basis of home therapy are herbal baths. For this purpose, you can use St. John's wort, chamomile and calendula flowers. After the procedure, inflamed skin should be gently wiped using a soft towel. Folk healers also recommend using these herbs for making lotions and infusions.
To reduce itching in the genital area, you can wipe it with a slightly salted aqueous solution. To prepare it, you need to mix a teaspoon of salt with 500 ml of warm water, mix well. A cotton swab moistened with a solution must be used to wipe the surface of the genitals.
After a course of therapy at home, you need to see a pediatrician. If its results are unsatisfactory, the doctor will prescribe medications.
Drug treatment
Depending on the cause of the disease, a pediatrician may prescribe for its treatment: an antifungal cream, an antibacterial agent or a steroid ointment. Consider each of the options in more detail.
Antifungal drugs are prescribed for candida balanitis. Clotrimazole is recognized as the most effective. Ointment instructions for use recommend use twice a day until the symptoms disappear completely. The course of treatment lasts no more than a week.
In case of ulcerative balanitis caused by pathogenic flora, an antibiotic cream helps. Children are most often prescribed "Chloramphenicol." Some doctors prescribe antibiotics in tablets, for example, Erythromycin. The dosage of the drug is selected individually and depends on the age of the small patient.
A mild steroid cream is recommended to reduce the inflammatory process. The choice of a specific remedy remains with the attending physician. Most often resort to the help of "Hydrocortisone." Like Clotrimazole, the ointment is recommended for use twice a day. In this case, the adoption of warming baths should be excluded.
Manifestations of the disease usually go away 3-5 days after the start of the course of therapy. If balanitis does not respond to treatment, symptoms continue to appear, it is advisable to discuss other exposure options with your doctor.
The need for surgery
How to treat balanitis if it has become chronic and does not respond to drug therapy? In this case, doctors most often decide to have surgery. It involves the excision of the foreskin. This is a fairly radical, but at the same time effective method of combating the inflammatory process.
Prevention Methods
Many parents had to deal with such a pathology as balanitis in a child. This is a serious disease, the neglect of the treatment of which is not permissible. Otherwise, the disease can become chronic. His therapy is no longer limited to taking medications.
Is it possible to prevent balanitis in a child? The main precaution is good and timely genital hygiene. First, parents should follow her, and then they can teach her the basics of the baby. It is necessary to change underwear daily and try to select diapers wisely.
Another preventive measure is to increase immunity. To this end, the child needs to provide good nutrition, walks in the fresh air. Any catarrhal diseases must be treated in a timely manner. And at the slightest suspicion of balanitis, you should immediately seek medical help.