How Is Balanitis Transmitted
Balanitis is an inflammation of the glans and foreskin that is very uncomfortable for men, also producing other symptoms such as redness, pain in the area and a foul odor, causing great discomfort to the patient and their partner if they have one. One of the most common questions men ask is: how is balanitis transmitted? Yet the answer is varied because this inflammation can occur for several reasons. At oneHOWTO we explain this in more detail.
Contents
Symptoms of balanitis
Identifying the symptoms of balanitis is important to quickly recognising this condition and consulting a urologist. This condition occurs due to a local infection that may be caused by bacteria or fungi, and common symptoms are:
- Redness of the glans in circumcised patients and of the foreskin in un-circumcised ones.
- Pain in the affected area.
- Burning and itching.
- If untreated, the infection may start oozing white fluid and an intense foul odour. At this point it is essential to consult a urologist.
Balanitis causes: infections
Balanitis can result from the spread of bacteria and fungi that cause inflammation of the glans. The fungus Candida albicans is one of the most common triggers of balanitis, this usually resides in areas of our bodies such as the mouth or intestines, but the weakening of the immune system, poor personal hygiene or unprotected sex with a woman with vaginal candidiasis may promote the development of this fungus in the glans.
Balanitis may also occur due to a bacterial infection such as Streptococcus, Staphylococcus or syphilis.
Causes of balanitis: due to a virus
Besides the presence of fungi or an infection, balanitis may also occur from having a sexually transmitted virus like HPV or genital herpes. Always have protected sex, especially if it is casual, this is very important to prevent the spread of these conditions.
Balanitis caused by diseases
Some diseases can also be the cause of the balanitis, for example:
- Poorly controlled diabetes
- Reactive arthritis
- Lichen sclerosis
- Psoriasis
- Morbid obesity
- Premalignant skin lesions
Other causes of balanitis
In addition to the conditions listed above, other situations can also trigger the condition of balanitis, among the most common are:
- Poor hygiene when washing the penis, especially common in patients with foreskin. In addition to thoroughly washing the area it is essential to properly remove all soap.
- Using too strong soaps that generate irritation in this delicate area.
- Applying perfume or creams to the penis can irritate the area and cause this condition.
Consult a urologist
At the first signs of balanitis it is important to see a urologist to confirm the diagnosis and determine the cause of this condition. In our articles how to treat balanitis and can Balanitis cause UTIs?we explain a little more about this condition.
This article is merely informative, oneHOWTO does not have the authority to prescribe any medical treatments or create a diagnosis. We invite you to visit your doctor if you have any type of condition or pain.
If you want to read similar articles to How Is Balanitis Transmitted, we recommend you visit our Family health category.
