Balanoposthitis is an inflammatory process that involves the skin, head, inner prepuce of the penis. As a result of the pathology, dangerous complications can arise with a risk to health, the further sexual life of a man and even life, so the treatment of balanoposthitis in men must be started immediately, as soon as the first unpleasant symptoms are noticed.
Features of the disease
The disease often accompanies other disorders of the male genitourinary system or is the result of some skin problems. The cause of inflammation of the glans penis may be the action of various infectious agents.
Balanoposthitis is a common inflammatory pathology of the head, which in one process can combine:
- Balanitis is an inflammation that affects the head itself.
- Postitis - inflammation of the foreskin in men, localized on the inner prepuce.
- Phimosis is a severe narrowing of the prepuce with inflammation of all adjacent tissues.
- Paraphimosis - infringement of the head by a narrowed prepuce with inflammation and swelling of the tissues.
The incidence of pathology is 11% of all visits of men, adolescents, boys to the urologist. Among all skin disorders of this zone, inflammation of the penis occupies almost half of the structure - 47%.
What is balanoposthitis in medical statistics:
- Most often, little boys aged 1-5 years old experience the disease.
- At least once, about half of all the representatives of the stronger sex hurt her.
- About 20% of the male population is now symptomatic of the disease.
- The maximum risk of pathology is in men with diabetes mellitus of mature age with preserved foreskin.
- The procedure of circumcision, or circumcision, reduces the risk of its development by 68%.
The risk group includes men with promiscuity or non-traditional orientation, practicing anal sex, various devices and means to enhance sensations during intimacy.
Causes, provoking factors
The structure of the preputial fold is a predisposing factor to the occurrence of an inflammatory process. The tissues are in close contact with each other, the closed space does not have a cavity, but collects smegma, epithelial cells. With errors in hygiene measures, bacteria, viruses, fungal colonies penetrate inside, getting into the nutrient medium for their reproduction.
What causes of balanoposthitis are known?
- Infection (pathogenic, opportunistic microflora, venereal agents).
- Injuries to the penis (including after hard intercourse).
- Phimosis, paraphimosis.
- Metabolic, endocrine disorders (obesity, diabetes).
- Chronic skin pathology (pityriasis rosea, eczema, pyoderma, pityriasis rosea, psoriasis).
- Burn injuries, including chemical, thermal.
- Diseases of the urinary system.
- Reception of antibiotics, uncontrolled use of drugs.
- Allergic reaction.
Provoking factors:
- Personal hygiene mistakes.
- Aggressive products: frequent washing with soap, the use of antibacterial cosmetics, scented lubricants.
- Chronic pathologies, as a result of which edema is frequent, metabolism is disturbed.
- Unprotected sex.
- In young children, constant diaper wear, infrequent diaper changes.
- Tight synthetic underwear
Due to the large number of causes that can lead to inflammation of the foreskin, head, as well as the various course of the process, the disease has its own classification by type, degree.
Types, types of pathology
What is balanoposthitis, every representative of the stronger sex probably knows, and every second one knows from his own experience. However, doctors distinguish several types, types, stages of pathology, differentiating it for making an accurate diagnosis.
The nature of the course of the disease:
- Sharp.
- Chronic.
- By complications:
- Complicated.
- Uncomplicated.
- For the root cause:
- Infectious.
- Non-infectious.
Among the acute forms are:
- Catarrhal, with slight swelling, redness of the foreskin.
- Erosive, with red patches, white coating of dead epidermal cells.
- Ulcerative. In place of the scarlet zones, cracks and ulcers form. There is copious purulent discharge. The condition is close to necrosis, gangrene.
- Gangrenous. There was a deterioration in general well-being. Deep areas of necrosis, fistulas are formed on the penis. Swelling of tissues is strong.
Infectious forms differ according to the type of pathogen:
- Fungal. The most commonly diagnosed candida.
- Chlamydial. The agent is chlamydia.
- Viral. The culprits are herpes viruses, human papillomaviruses.
- Gonorrheal.
- Trichomonas.
- Syphilitic. Agent - pale treponema.
- Anaerobic. Can be caused by gardnerella, prevotella, fusobacteria.
- Non-specific, provoked by E. coli, streptococcus, staphylococcus.
- Parasitic, caused by parasitic protozoa such as amoeba dysentery.
There is also a small percentage of autoimmune balanoposthitis in men, as well as those caused by benign, malignant tumors of the genitourinary zone.
Symptoms, signs of inflammation of the head of the penis
The symptomatology of the disease has a great variability, depending on the type, stage of the process. The doctor takes into account the patient's complaints and performs an examination, which notices the symptoms of balanoposthitis.
General features:
- Hyperemia.
- Itching
- Swelling of the foreskin.
- Soreness.
- Burning from urine during urination.
- Inability to move the prepuce.
Signs of a fungal infection:
- Sour milk smell.
- Cracks.
- White films.
Signs of anaerobic inflammation of the foreskin in men:
- The smell of rotten herring.
- Sticky coating on the entire surface of the skin.
Symptoms of a viral herpetic process:
- Small blistering rash that gradually merges into vesicles.
- Formation of sores in place of vesicles, yellow crusts.
- Severe soreness, burning when touched, itching.
- The picture of general intoxication is growing.
Signs of erosive balanoposthitis:
- Scarlet spots.
- Deterioration of general well-being.
- Severe itching at the site of inflammation.
- Purulent discharge.
Important! With the gangrenous form of acute balanoposthitis, spots of necrosis are outwardly visible. The patient experiences severe pain, his general well-being worsens. Body temperature can reach very high levels, loss of consciousness is not excluded.
In this case, the patient needs emergency medical care, delay is life-threatening!
Chronic balanoposthitis may have blurred symptoms with asymptomatic periods. Discomfort can be aggravated after active sports activities, alcohol consumption, sexual intimacy. However, you should be attentive to your body, and even with such minor symptoms, be sure to consult a doctor.
