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Acute balanoposthitis
Last reviewed: 07.07.2025
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Acute balanoposthitis most often occurs due to improper or untimely treatment of inflammatory and infectious diseases affecting the genitals.
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Symptoms acute balanoposthitis
The main symptoms of acute balanoposthitis are: sharp pains localized on the head of the penis, a burning sensation, swelling of the head and foreskin, itching, and redness. Inflammation can affect both the entire head and its individual parts.
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Forms
The main forms of acute balanoposthitis according to the severity of the lesion:
- Simple balanoposthitis – causes redness, swelling, burning and itching of the head of the penis and foreskin. In some cases, patients develop a purulent or grayish coating with an unpleasant odor and erosions on the head of the penis.
- Erosive balanoposthitis - unlike simple balanoposthitis, this form is characterized by deep inflammation. The patient develops swollen, inflamed white growths that lead to skin ruptures. Multiple erosions appear on the head of the penis, which may be covered with pus. Due to the inflammatory process, it is impossible to open the head of the penis. The inguinal lymph nodes and lymphatic vessels of the penis may be involved in the inflammatory process.
- Gangrenous balanoposthitis is the most severe and dangerous form of inflammation. The patient experiences a fever of up to 39 degrees, symptoms of intoxication, increased sweating, loss of appetite, low blood pressure and high pulse. Due to severe swelling and redness, deep bleeding wounds with purulent discharge appear on the genitals.
Despite such painful and pathological symptoms, acute balanoposthitis is normally treatable. There is no single treatment regimen for the disease, so treatment depends on the stage of balanoposthitis and the characteristics of the patient's body. As a rule, the acute form is infectious in nature and appears due to streptococcal or staphylococcal microorganisms. The danger of this form of balanoposthitis is that in advanced cases, surgical intervention is possible, that is, circumcision.
Simple balanoposthitis
Simple balanoposthitis is the primary form of an infectious and inflammatory disease. Primary balanoposthitis occurs due to the action of decomposing smegma on the skin of the foreskin and the head of the penis. The main symptoms of this form of balanoposthitis are itching, burning, redness of the head of the penis, swelling of the foreskin, bloody wounds and small ulcers, possibly an increase in the amount of discharge and the appearance of an unpleasant odor. In advanced cases, simple balanoposthitis progresses to more serious stages, causing an increase in temperature, purulent discharge and other painful symptoms.
At the first symptoms of the disease, it is necessary to seek medical help. The urologist diagnoses simple balanoposthitis and prescribes a treatment regimen. As a rule, the treatment is not complicated and consists of washing the genitals with special solutions and lubrication with medicinal anti-inflammatory drugs.
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Erosive balanoposthitis
Erosive balanoposthitis is an inflammatory process that occurs on the head of the penis.
In the erosive form of balanoposthitis, the patient develops areas of dead epithelium with white bumps on the penis, which peel off and turn into erosive areas. Without timely treatment, this form of the disease can lead to phimosis and damage to the inguinal lymph nodes. In addition, without treatment, the erosive form can develop into a gangrenous form of balanoposthitis.
Gangrenous balanoposthitis
Gangrenous balanoposthitis usually develops against the background of a feverish state and general weakness of the body. The patient develops deep purulent ulcers and necrotic areas of the epithelium, swelling and redness of the foreskin and glans penis, as well as painful sensations. Gangrenous balanoposthitis causes phimosis and the formation of through ulcers of the foreskin, which heal very slowly.
Balanoposthitis diagnostics causes painful sensations and discomfort, but is a complex of methods. The urologist identifies the cause of the disease and possible concomitant diseases. Diagnostic tests allow to determine the pathogen and conduct an examination of the genitourinary organs.
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Treatment acute balanoposthitis
Treatment of erosive balanoposthitis
Treatment of erosive balanoposthitis depends on the stage of the disease at which the patient seeks medical help. Thus, at the initial stages, the entire treatment process may consist of lotions and medicinal baths. But if erosive spots appear, the patient is prescribed antibiotics. In case of pathological narrowing of the foreskin, the urologist performs surgical excision. If the disease is detected in a timely manner, the treatment does not take much time, and the balanoposthitis itself does not leave any consequences.
Treatment of erosive balanoposthitis is recommended to be carried out by washing with potassium permanganate solutions. After a therapeutic bath, a thin layer of cotton wool or gauze soaked in a solution of Lapis is applied to the affected organ. You can use a dusting of antibacterial drying powders - Dermatol, Xeroform. If the erosive form is complicated by phimosis, then solutions of potassium permanganate and silver nitrate are used to wash the cavity of the preputial sac, 2-3 times a day.
Uncomplicated erosive balanoposthitis is treated with washings and baths with potassium permanganate. The use of disinfecting drying ointments is mandatory. If erosive balanoposthitis has a complex form, the urologist prescribes antibiotics and washings of the penis with hydrogen peroxide. In extreme cases, the urologist sends the patient for excision of the foreskin. Timely treatment of erosive balanoposthitis does not leave consequences and does not cause complications.
Treatment of gangrenous balanoposthitis
Treatment of gangrenous balanoposthitis depends on the cause, the stage of the disease and the individual characteristics of the patient. Modern methods allow for quick and effective treatment of balanoposthitis. Treatment of the gangrenous form is mandatory, as balanoposthitis can lead to narrowing of the foreskin, inguinal lymphadenitis, gangrene of the penis and cicatricial complications. Patients are prescribed antimicrobial drugs, creams and ointments. If the disease is diagnosed at an early stage, treatment involves the use of medicinal baths and washings of the head of the penis.