Balanitis is an infection of the penile head, which can result in swelling and pain of the penis. — 123rf.com
Experiencing a painful and swollen penis can be quite worrying for any man.
One possible cause for this situation is balanitis.
This condition involves inflammation of the penile glans (head), which can cause pain and swelling of the organ.
It may sometimes involve the foreskin as well – a condition known as balanoposthitis.
Balanitis can be caused by infection (fungal, bacterial, etc), chemical irritation through direct contact with caustic substances, mechanical trauma, as well as less common causes like allergic reactions to medications/drugs, autoimmune disease and some forms of penile cancers.
It is important to get this condition treated as it can worsen to involve other organs in the genital or pelvic region.
Chronic or recurrent infections can also cause scarring and potential tightening of the foreskin, i.e. phimosis.
Some men may be shy about seeing the doctor about such a problem; while it is important to determine and address the root cause of a sore penis, as a quick measure, they may first try washing their penis gently with warm water and avoid using excessive soaps or cleansers, as well as avoid over-manipulation of the penis/foreskin.
If the symptoms are very mild (e.g. just some redness with no itch or pain), it may be possible to monitor or self-treat with over-the-counter topical creams such as antifungals or moisturisers.
If the symptoms persist for more than a week or are getting worse – e.g. there is pain, itch, ulcerations, skin tears, pus or discharge, etc – then it is best to seek medical attention.
At the clinic, the doctor will take a detailed history of the condition, as well as try and look out for any underlying risk factors (e.g. diabetes) or any possible triggers, which could include your sexual history.
They will then need to perform a physical examination.
Sometimes, certain signs may warrant testing, such as with fungal or bacterial swabs, or to check for other infections like sexually-transmitted infections.
When a likely diagnosis has been formed, the doctor can then advise on the best course of treatment.
This may include lifestyle modifications, topical creams or oral medications.
While some cases may recover as quickly as one to two days, chronic cases can sometimes take months to fully recover.
Some individuals may also be prone to having recurrent bouts of the condition, depending on the underlying causes and risk factors in each case.
Recurrent balanitis should be assessed further with a doctor.
While it depends on the type of balanitis, the risks of this condition recurring can be reduced with proper hygiene and avoidance of known triggers.
It has also been shown that circumcision (removal of the foreskin) may reduce the risk of recurrence for some individuals.
In those with risk factors such as diabetes and obesity, good blood glucose (sugar) control and weight loss respectively has also been shown to reduce the incidence of this condition.
Dr Jonathan Ti is a physician in Singapore. For more information, email starhealth@thestar.com.my. The information provided is for educational and communication purposes only, and should not be considered as medical advice. The Star does not give any warranty on accuracy, completeness, functionality, usefulness or other assurances as to the content appearing in this article. The Star disclaims all responsibility for any losses, damage to property or personal injury suffered directly or indirectly from reliance on such information.
