<p id="page-title">Balanitis is swelling of the foreskin and head of the&nbsp;<a href="http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002279.htm" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-size: 14px;">penis</a><span style="font-size: 14px;">.</span></p>

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<p><strong><em><img src="https://www.zdrav.kz/images/refs2/54Pr.jpg" /></em></strong></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong><em>The male reproductive structures include the penis, the scrotum, the seminal vesicles and the prostate.</em></strong></p>

<h2>&nbsp;</h2>

<h2><a href="http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000440.htm" id="Causes" name="Causes">Causes</a></h2>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

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<p>Balanitis is most often caused by poor hygiene in uncircumcised men. Other possible causes include:</p>
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<ul>
	<li>Diseases such as&nbsp;<a>reactive arthritis</a>&nbsp;and lichen sclerosis et atrophicus</li>
	<li>Infection</li>
	<li>Harsh soaps</li>
	<li>Not rinsing soap off properly while bathing</li>
	<li>Uncontrolled diabetes</li>
	<li>&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

<h2><a href="http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003840.htm" id="Symptoms" name="Symptoms">Symptoms</a></h2>

<ul>
	<li>Redness of foreskin or penis</li>
	<li>Other rashes on the head of the penis</li>
	<li>Foul-smelling discharge</li>
	<li>Painful penis and foreskin</li>
</ul>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<h2><a id="Exams and Tests" name="Exams and Tests">Exams and Tests</a></h2>

<p>Your health care provider may be diagnosed the problem with only an exam. However, you may need skin tests for viruses, fungi, or bacteria. A&nbsp;<a>skin biopsy</a>&nbsp;may also be needed.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<h2><a href="http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000862.htm" id="Treatment" name="Treatment">Treatment</a></h2>

<p>Treatment depends on the cause of the balanitis.</p>

<ul>
	<li>Antibiotic pills or creams are used to treat when balanitis that is caused by bacteria.</li>
	<li>Steroid creams may help balanitis that occurs with skin diseases.</li>
	<li>Anti-fungal creams will be prescribed if it is due to a fungus.</li>
</ul>

<p>Circumcision may be the best option in severe cases. If you cannot pull back (retract) the foreskin to clean it, you may need to be circumcised.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<h2><a id="Outlook (Prognosis)" name="Outlook (Prognosis)">Outlook (Prognosis)</a></h2>

<p>Most cases of balanitis can be controlled with medicated creams and good hygiene. Surgery is not needed most of the time.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<h2><a id="Possible Complications" name="Possible Complications">Possible Complications</a></h2>

<p>Long-term inflammation or infection can:</p>

<ul>
	<li>Scar and narrow the opening of the penis (meatal stricture)</li>
	<li>Make it difficult and painful to retract the foreskin to expose the tip of the penis (a condition called phimosis)</li>
	<li>Make it difficult to move the foreskin over the head of the penis (a condition called paraphimosis)</li>
	<li>Affect the blood supply to the tip of the penis</li>
	<li>Increase the risk of penile cancer</li>
</ul>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<h2><a id="When to Contact a Medical Professional" name="When to Contact a Medical Professional">When to Contact a Medical Professional</a></h2>

<p>Tell your health care provider if you have any signs of balanitis, including swelling of the foreskin or pain.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<h2><a id="Prevention" name="Prevention">Prevention</a></h2>

<p>Good hygiene can prevent most cases of balanitis. When you bathe, pull back the foreskin to clean and dry the area under it.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

<h2><a id="Alternative Names" name="Alternative Names">Alternative Names</a></h2>

<p>Balanoposthitis</p>

<p>Source:&nbsp;<a>http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000862.htm</a></p>

<p>Problems with Penis (<a href="http://symptomaster.com/client/main?user_action=user_action_from_external_url&amp;need_auth_guest=1&amp;external_symptom_id=1589&amp;gender_id=1" target="_blank">male</a>)</p>
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