Balanitis Treatment

Balanitis treatment and preventing it from re-occurring requires understanding the condition and the causes. The most common cause of balanitis is a skin condition, such as eczema. In adition, balanitis can result from an allergy or irritation caused substances, such as perfumed soap or washing powder. It may also be caused by a yeast or bacterial infection. For a picture of balanitis inflammation, please click this link.

Potential irritant substances to avoid

• soap
• latex condoms
• lubricants
• antiseptics
• hygiene sprays

Balanitis treatment will depend on what is causing it. Often, your doctor will simply advise you to avoid any irritating substances and give you some hygiene advice. If you need a medical test the doctor will advice you togo for one.

Allergic reaction or irritation

If the balanitis is linked to an allergy or substance that irritates your penis, you may be given a mild steroid cream (1% hydrocortisone) to reduce inflammation. You may need to use this as well as antifungal or antibiotic medication. If the head of your penis (glans) is infected, then a steroid cream should not be used on its own because it could make the infection worse. It is important to avoid using soaps and other potential irritants while symptoms are present.

Yeast infection

If balanitis is caused by a candida (yeast) infection, it is normally treated with an antifungal cream, such as clotrimazole or miconazole. If you develop balanitis by picking up thrush in your partner’s vagina during sex, you may both need treatment. Avoid having sex while you are being treated for thrush or use a condom. This avoids the infection being passed back to your partner. Most cases of balanitis clear up with treatment in three to five days.

Bacterial infection

If following an appropriate examination by your doctor or from the result of a medical test your balanitis is diagnosed as being caused by a bacterial infection, your doctor will give you antibiotics, such as penicillin or erythromycin to clear up the infection.

Referral to a specialist

If your balanitis is not caused by an infection and your doctor cannot identify anything that irritates your penis, you may be referred to a dermatologist (skin specialist) or genito-urinary clinic for further medical test. If you have phimosis (tight foreskin) and you keep getting repeat attacks of balanitis, then circumcision may be considered.

Preventing Balanitis

Good hygiene

The best way to prevent balanitis is through good hygiene.

• Wash the glans carefully every day, making sure you gently clean under the penis foreskin.
• Do not use perfumed shower gels. Using water alone, or water and a mild soap, is sufficient to clean the penis.
• Alternatively, use aqueous cream as a soap substitute, to avoid irritation.
• Make sure you fully dry the penis before getting dressed.

Avoid irritants

Condoms/lubricants: sometimes the chemicals used in condoms or lubricants can irritate the penis. If you think your symptoms may be related to this, try using a condom for sensitive skin. Ask your pharmacist, doctor or nurse at your local sexual health clinic for advice.
Detergents: wash your underwear with non-biological washing powder and make sure all the detergent is rinsed out before wearing.
Chemicals: Balanitis may be caused by the chemicals you work with. So wash your hands before using the toilet if you work with chemicals or have traces of other products on your hands as they could irritate the delicate skin of the penis.
Balanitis treatment depends on what is causing it and preventing its re-occurrence requires practicing good hygiene and avoiding substances that irritate the penis.