What is the Cure for Balanitis?

Before we get to the cure for balanitis, let's take a look at the causes:

• Fungal infection: similar to a yeast infection, the fungal yeast candida can cause your skin to be infected and result in symptoms of foul smelling discharge as well as a rash. It can be transferred through a partner, but is often from something else.

• Environmental substances: these include anything you put on your penis and commonly cause balanitis in the form of an allergic reaction. It could be from a towel washed with a detergent or the personal hygiene products you use like shampoo and body wash.

• Viral infection: this is when pathogens get into your bloodsteam and cause an infection. As balanitis affects the penis, it is not uncommon for a sexually transmitted disease to have balanitis as a secondary effect.

• Bacterial infection: this is when you have a bacteria affect the glans penis. This can come from many places, but it is one of the most common causes of balanitis - neglect. If you do not clean or wash your penis regularly enough, then this can lead to bacteria and a potentially nasty infection.

• Physical trauma: this can be from an accident or from overuse. The physical shock can lead to inflammation, irritability and, likely, pain.

Balanitis presents itself as a red rash or irritated skin on the glans penis. It is more common in uncircumcised males. This is because the foreskin can trap bacteria and cause an infection to form. If you have an uncircumcised penis and do not clean it regularly, it could result in balanitis.

As there are different causes for balanitis, there is not one single cure for it. It is also important to remember that not all cases of the disease will require a cure or even treatment. The irritability and redness can appear for a short time and then relieve themselves quickly and naturally. On the other hand, if you have an incurable STD (e.g. human papillomavirus or herpes simplex), then you run the risk of contracting it again. However, the symptoms can be managed and can reduce the possibility of re-occurrence.

If you have contracted balanitis thanks to one or more of the reasons above, we will be able to share the treatments for each case.

• Fungal infection: these are usually treated with a medicated antifungal ointment which will attack the infection at skin level. These may include Clotrimazole, Lotrimin, Mycelex or ketoconazole. Antifungal sprays are also available, as are tablets and injections. However, if you have balanitis, it is unlikely you will be prescribed antifungal tablets or an injection. These are reserved for serious fungal infections.

• Environmental substances: treatment for this is usually preventative rather than a cure for balanitis. If you are using a shampoo or body wash which is causing balanitis, you will need to stop using it. This may be a case of trial and error, but if the problem persists, you should seek advice from a dermatologist. They will be bale to run tests to see what you should avoid.

• Viral infection: as balanitis is often a side effect of another viral infection, it is this viral infection which needs to be treated for overall health. These will most likely be treated with antibiotics.

• Bacterial infection: similar to a viral infection, this will most likely be treated with antibiotics. A mild steroid cream might be applied for treatment of the inflammation. However, this is likely to only be used in chronic cases and in tandem with antibiotics. This is because steroids can potentially exacerbate the infection if used solely.

• Physical trauma: physical trauma will usually go away after a short while if it is not acute. The main danger is that physical trauma can lead to another type of infection which will be treated with one of the above methods.

To prevent balanitis, it is very important that you wash your penis regularly, yet gently. Abrasive rubbing while cleaning can lead to physical trauma. Use of inappropriate cleaning liquids or sponges can also lead to balanitis. Changing these or not using them at all is usually the initial treatment. Often the cure for balanitis is simply cleaning your penis better.

As the glans penis is affected, it is possible that an infection can spread to the foreskin (in uncircumcised males). If this is the case, the disease is referred to as balanoposthitis. If this becomes very acute, then it can lead to something called phimosis. This is when the foreskin becomes so tight, it is no longer able to move over the head of the penis. The ultimate cure for balanitis induced phimosis is circumcision, but only in acute cases.

There is another cure for balanitis, but it is for a specific type. This is known as Zoon's balanitis. This is when the glans penis develops benign lesions over it and is, thankfully, rare. Treatment for this type of balanitis is using a carbon dioxide laser.

As always, if you are unsure about anything regarding balanitis, seek professional advice from your physician.

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.

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