Inflammation of the foreskin (prepuce), called postit in medicine, is a fairly common disease. Pathology is accompanied by pain and discomfort, and if untreated, can lead to dangerous complications, up to gangrene. That is why it is worth learning more about this ailment.
Why does inflammation of the foreskin develop in a child or adult man? What are the symptoms of the disease? What does modern medicine offer in terms of treatment? The answers to these questions are interesting to many readers.
The main causes of the development of the disease
It is worth noting that, most often, patients are diagnosed with inflammation of the head and foreskin in the complex. According to statistics, this is a fairly common pathology, which affects men regardless of age. By the way, quite often cases of inflammation of the foreskin in boys of preschool age are recorded, which is associated with hygiene and phimosis.
The most common cause of the inflammatory process is the activity of pathogenic microflora. The pathogen can be played by sexually transmitted microorganisms, in particular gonococci, mycoplasmas, chlamydia, trichomonads. Post can also be associated with activation of herpes viruses, papillomas or fungi of the genus Candida.
As you know, between the foreskin and the head of the penis there is a small cavity - the prepuce bag. Here the secret is constantly accumulating, which is produced by specific skin cells. This is an ideal place for the life of pathogenic organisms. Here they are provided with heat, moisture and a nutritious organic substrate, due to which the active reproduction of bacteria and fungi is supported.
Are there any risk factors?
Doctors identify several factors predisposing to the development of a disease such as inflammation of the foreskin:
- Non-observance of personal hygiene rules (in this case we are talking not only about the lack of care and hygiene procedures, but also about too frequent washing, constant use of antibacterial soap).
- The presence of phimoses, paraphimoses and strictures in patients leads to an accumulation of skin secretion and dead epithelial cells in the preputial sac, and this in turn increases the likelihood of inflammation.
- Wearing too narrow underwear and clothes made of synthetic fabrics leads to irritation of the skin of the genitals.
- Risk factors include the presence of inflammatory pathologies of the genitourinary system (for example, diseases of the kidneys, testicles, prostate gland).
- Sudden hypothermia.
- Decreased activity of the immune system.
- The presence of some systemic diseases in the patient, such as psoriasis and diabetes mellitus, weakens the body's defenses, which increases the susceptibility of tissues to infections.
- Risk factors include promiscuous sex, as this increases the chance of catching a sexually transmitted infection.
Noncommunicable inflammation and its causes
Inflammation of the foreskin in men can be associated with allergies. Itching, redness of the skin, the appearance of a rash, and then inflammation are sometimes caused by contact with allergens (in some cases, by the way, allergic sensitivity to the partner's vaginal secretion is recorded).
In addition, there are a number of systemic diseases, which, among other symptoms, are accompanied by postit / balanitis. Pathologies such as psoriasis, pemphigus, lichen planus, Reitar syndrome can be attributed to their list.
It is worth noting that sometimes inflammation and ulceration on the skin of the penis is associated with the formation and growth of a malignant tumor.
Inflammation of the foreskin: photos and symptoms
Symptoms of pathology can be different. It all depends on the general condition of the body, the degree of spread of the inflammatory process and its shape. Nevertheless, some characteristic features are distinguished:
- In the initial stages, the disease is accompanied by discomfort and redness of the tissues.
- The skin at the glans penis is contracted during inflammation of the foreskin. Patients complain of itching, which subsequently turns into pain.
- Urination is accompanied by burning and discomfort.
- Palpation of the glans is accompanied by sharp pains. It is difficult to pull out the foreskin.
- Since inflammation is most often associated with infection, there are general signs of intoxication, including fever, nausea, weakness, aching and muscle aches, and drowsiness.
- Fungal and bacterial infection sometimes leads to the appearance of white, mucous secretions, sometimes with impurities of pus.
- The appearance of a rash on the skin of the penis is possible.
- Sometimes the infection spreads to the urethral tissue.
- With some forms of inflammation, penile tissue forms patches of erosion and ulceration.
Classification: what forms of pathology exist?
Of course, there are many schemes for classifying an ailment. If you take into account the symptoms, then inflammation of the foreskin can be:
- simple (the disease is accompanied by inflammation and redness of the prepuce, the patient complains of burning and itching);
- erosive (with such a disease, areas with dead upper layers appear on the skin, which then undergo erosion processes);
- gangrenous (erosive ulcers form on the tissues that slowly heal).
It is worth noting that the clinical picture, as well as the treatment technique, directly depends on the form of the inflammatory process.
What does the diagnostic process look like?
In fact, already during the examination, the doctor may suspect the presence of postitis or balanoposthitis. All diagnostic measures are aimed at discovering the cause of the onset of the inflammatory process.
Subsequently, samples of accumulations and the preputial sac and discharge from the urethra for bacteriological culture are taken for analysis. This procedure allows you to determine the type of pathogen and find out which drug it is sensitive to. Additionally, tests for sexually transmitted infections, syphilis, and HIV are performed.
Inflammation of the foreskin in men: treatment with drugs
You already know what the described disease is. But what should a patient diagnosed with inflammation of the foreskin do? Treatment in this case largely depends on the causes of the development of the disease and the severity of the inflammatory process:
- The treatment regimen must include disinfecting procedures. The genitals must be washed very carefully, trying to gently push the prepuce and remove smegma. With inflammation, do not use soap, as it dries the skin even more. For washing, you need to use boiled water or decoctions of herbs, after which the foreskin needs to be treated with an antiseptic, such as furatsilinom or a weak solution of potassium permanganate.
- If a bacterial infection occurs, then patients are prescribed antibacterial ointments. A good result is given by broad-spectrum antibiotics. For example, patients are often recommended ointments “Clotrimazole” and “Batrafen”. Doctors also use Triderm, which contains antibiotics and corticosteroids that quickly relieve inflammation. With fungal forms of the disease, antifungal agents are used, in particular Fluconazole.
- Since the disease is often associated with a decrease in immune activity, patients are prescribed vitamin complexes, and sometimes immunomodulators.
- When a fever is used, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as Paracetamol, Ibuprofen, Nurofen.
- In the most severe cases, surgical intervention is indicated - circumcision of the foreskin.
In the absence of therapy, the disease can lead to complications, including decreased sensitivity of the glans penis, inflammation of the urethra and prostate gland, tissue necrosis.
Folk remedies against inflammation
Of course, sometimes you can use home remedies for treatment. Decoctions of herbs help relieve inflammation and swelling, alleviate the condition of the patient. Effective are sage, plantain, St. John's wort. Oak bark also gives good results. Dry raw materials must be brought to a boil, cooled and filtered. The resulting liquid can be used to wash the genitals, warm baths, as well as the preparation of lotions and compresses. By the way, such products are harmless.
Of course, alternative medicines cannot be a complete substitute for drug therapy. They can be used only as aids and only with the permission of a doctor.
How to protect yourself? Prevention
This is a fairly common pathology, the development of which, however, can be avoided. Men are advised to carefully monitor intimate hygiene using a suitable soap for washing. You also need to abandon too tight, synthetic underwear. If accidental sexual contact occurs, it is imperative to use protective equipment.
Proper nutrition, physical activity, stabbing, and vitamin therapy will help reduce the risk of developing inflammatory processes, as this helps strengthen the immune system. Do not refuse regular medical examinations. If there are alarming signs, it is better to consult a doctor - diseases are much easier to treat at the initial stages of development.