Balanoposthitis is a urological disease that is characterized by the simultaneous inflammatory process of the glans penis in men (balanitis) and in individual parts of the foreskin (postitis). In fact, these are two diseases, but often they occur simultaneously, and they are combined under the general name - balanoposthitis. Patients sometimes call this disease balanoposthitis of the foreskin. It is found in both adult men and children. Balanoposthitis in boys is often diagnosed at the age of 3 to 7 years.
Causes
Among the causes distinguish the infectious nature of the disease and non-infectious. Infectious balanoposthitis mainly occurs due to sexually transmitted infections (STIs), which include:
- Syphilis.
- Gonorrhea.
- Genital herpes.
- Candidiasis.
- Human papillomavirus (HPV).
- Gardnerellosis.
- Mycoplasmosis
- Chlamydia
- Trichomoniasis
- Infections of the reproductive system (urethritis, cystitis, prostatitis).
- Nonspecific pathogens (E. coli, staphylococcus, streptococcus).
Non-infectious causes of balanoposthitis include:
- Diabetes.
- Irritative balanoposthitis - occurs as a result of any irritant, for example, mechanical or chemical (thermal).
- Lichen planus.
- Psoriasis.
- Rare diseases ( Behcet's disease, Keir erythroplasia, xerotic obliterans balanoposthitis, Zun's plasma-cellular balanitis).
Predisposing factors
In addition to the obvious causative agents of this pathology, there are still factors that predispose to its development. These include:
- Violation of personal hygiene.
- Phimosis (narrowing of the foreskin).
- Immune diseases and allergic reactions.
- Promiscuous sexual intercourse.
Symptoms
Treatment of balanoposthitis in men usually does not cause difficulties with the correct diagnosis. The symptomatology of the disease depends on the severity of the disease and the presence or absence of complications. There are two forms of this disease: acute and chronic. The acute form, depending on the symptoms, can manifest itself with three types of balanoposthitis. So, there are simple balanoposthitis, erosive and gangrenous.
Simple balanoposthitis
This is a mild form of the disease. Treatment of balanoposthitis in men in this case usually takes 5-7 days. Characteristic signs of simple balanoposthitis are:
- Burning and itching. Usually appear first. These unpleasant sensations, as a rule, are aggravated by rubbing against underwear, touching the foreskin and head, as well as during urination.
- The head (as well as the foreskin) is red - these signs of inflammation can be located in the form of foci, both divided among themselves, and combined into one group.
- Puffiness and wrinkling of the head and foreskin are observed, that is, maceration of the skin occurs - this is the bursting, loosening of tissues as a result of soaking them with intercellular fluid.
- Erosion is formed on the head and foreskin. This can be a single spot on the foreskin or multiple erosions, often combined into a single group.
- Often from the urethra, purulent discharge is observed.
Erosive balanoposthitis
This type of balanoposthitis is characterized by the formation of multiple erosions on the head and foreskin. First, a white swollen outgrowth appears in a certain area. The white thin film on it is the dead cells of the epithelium. After some time, this film bursts, and a very painful erosion (red spot) appears. After such damage heals, no trace remains.
Gangrenous balanoposthitis
This form of the disease is very severe and is characterized, in addition to local lesions, also by common signs of intoxication, namely, fever, weakness and malaise. Very painful bleeding and purulent ulcers are observed on the head and foreskin of the penis. Because of the edema, phimosis occurs, i.e. it is impossible to expose the glans penis. After tightening the ulcers, scars remain. They can also lead to phimosis, because these scars are connective tissue formations that are not able to stretch. In addition, perforated openings may remain on the foreskin after ulcer healing.
Signs of balanoposthitis with some STIs
| STI that caused balanoposthitis | Characteristic symptoms |
| Gonorrheal | There are classic signs of simple balanoposthitis, which are combined with urethritis. |
| Chlamydial | Usually only signs of balanitis are manifested, that is, foci of inflammation (red spots) are present only on the glans penis, differ in the presence of clear contours. |
| Trichomonas | More often manifested as urethritis. It is distinguished by the presence of purulent discharge of yellow or white color, which have a foamy character. These secretions accumulate between the head and foreskin. They have a very bad smell. The head of the penis may be completely swollen and have a red color, or there may be separate foci of inflammation on it. |
| Candidiasis | The first signs are itching and burning, which then turn into pain. With a further course of the disease, a white coating appears on the head, which resembles curdled lumps and is easily removed. So manifested candidal balanoposthitis in men. Treatment is with antifungal agents. |
| Herpetic | The head of the penis and foreskin are covered with many vesicles with transparent watery contents. These vesicles burst, and red-pink sores form in their place. After tightening these ulcers, age spots remain. This type of balanoposthitis, as a rule, proceeds in a chronic form with periods of exacerbation and remission. |
| Syphilitic | With this type of balanoposthitis, solid chancre is formed on the scalp and foreskin - painless sores that appear at the site of the initial infection in the primary period of syphilis. |
| Gardnerella | It resembles a simple balanoposthitis, but with very meager manifestations. If the patient’s immune system is strong, then this type of balanoposthitis goes away without treatment within 2-3 days. Treatment of balanoposthitis in men in this case can not be carried out. |
| Papillomavirus | It appears in the form of genital warts. May affect other parts of the body. |
Some signs of balanoposthitis with non-infectious nature of occurrence
| Type of balanoposthitis | Characteristic symptoms |
| With lichen planus | As a rule, in the neck of the penis appear separate or grouped nodules that have an irregular shape. On their surface there are white scales. Such nodules appear in other parts of the body. |
| Balanoposthitis with psoriasis | Lesions are formed on any part of the body, including the penis. This type of balanoposthitis is characterized by the appearance of red nodules covered with small scales. |
| With diabetes | The signs of this type of balanoposthitis depend on the severity of diabetes and the age of the patient. Typical symptoms are: redness of the head and foreskin, pain in these areas. Dryness, cracks and ulceration of these areas, as well as their bleeding, can be observed. After healing of the cracks, scars remain. |
Features of balanoposthitis in boys
Infectious balanoposthitis in childhood is practically not found. The most common causes of this disease in children:
- Violation of the rules of personal hygiene.
- Isolation of excessive smegma, which accumulates between the head of the penis and the foreskin, forming a breeding ground for bacteria.
- Phimosis.
- Hypertrophic phimosis or overdeveloped foreskin.
Treatment of balanoposthitis in men. Preparations
First of all, it is necessary to establish the cause that caused the disease. It is not recommended to self-medicate. It is necessary to contact a urologist or dermatologist (venereologist). Treatment of balanoposthitis in men is often carried out specific, depending on the causative agent of the disease. At the same time, all the recommendations of the doctor must be carefully observed.
So, if candidal balanoposthitis is established in men, treatment must be carried out using antifungal agents. In this case, the local antifungal ointments Mikogal, Miconazole, Terbinafine, Candide, Clotrimazole, Omoconazole, etc. are used. The ointment is rubbed into the affected areas 2 times a day. Before the procedure, it is necessary to conduct thorough hygiene of the genitals (wash with soap). Usually, this treatment lasts about 3-4 weeks.
Antibacterial and antiallergic drugs are often used when treating balanoposthitis in men. The preparations "Lokasalen", "Lorinden", "Lokacorten" based on flumatozone pivalate are powerful agents that simultaneously have anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effects. Treatment with these drugs is also carried out under the supervision of a physician.
"Levomekol" is an ointment. Price
This drug includes two active active ingredients: chloramphenicol (chloramphenicol) and methyluracil. The first is a broad-spectrum antibiotic and is capable of destroying pathogens. The second substance stimulates the regeneration of damaged tissues of the epidermis. Ointment "Levomikol" is prescribed for all types of balanoposthitis.
It is very effective for balanoposthitis drug "Levomekol" (ointment). Its price is low, within 100 rubles. Therefore, the tool is used for all types of this disease.
Dressings with ointment are applied to the damaged areas at night after thorough hygiene of the genitals. This procedure is done within 5 days. Treatment is necessarily carried out under the supervision of a doctor.
With balanoposthitis caused by STIs, specific treatment is used to destroy the pathogen.