Balanoposthitis in a child

Balanoposthitis in a child is an inflammatory disease that affects the head of the penis and the tissues of the foreskin.

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Causes balanoposthitis in a child

The main cause of inflammation in a child is failure to observe personal hygiene rules. Due to the stagnation of smegma and urine in the sac covering the head of the penis, the development of harmful microorganisms and inflammation begins. Very often, balanoposthitis develops in children with diabetes. The cause of the disease is an increased level of sugar in the urine. Balanoposthitis can appear due to congenital phimosis and frequent washing of the head of the penis with soap. The main pathogens of the disease are yeast fungi and the herpes virus.

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Symptoms balanoposthitis in a child

The symptoms of balanoposthitis in a child are practically no different from the symptoms of inflammation in an adult. The skin of the head and foreskin becomes red, purulent-serous discharge appears. The child suffers from severe itching in the groin area, general malaise and enlargement of the inguinal lymph nodes. With further progression of the inflammatory process, erosion and peeling of the skin begins.

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Forms

Purulent balanoposthitis in a child

Purulent balanoposthitis in a child develops due to an inflammatory lesion of the head and foreskin of the penis. The peculiarity of purulent balanoposthitis in comparison with other forms of inflammation is that the disease affects the inner layer of the foreskin and can be a complication of phimosis. Complete narrowing of the foreskin causes stagnation of urine and smegma, which become infected and fester.

The first symptom of purulent balanoposthitis is itching, burning, swelling and redness of the head of the penis. The child feels pain when trying to urinate, purulent discharge with a very unpleasant odor appears. The main causes of the disease are staphylococcal and streptococcal microorganisms, yeast fungi. The type of treatment depends on the type of pathogen. Therefore, the urologist conducts diagnostics to obtain complete information about the causes and pathogens of purulent balanoposthitis.

Purulent inflammation can be provoked by various allergic reactions, narrowness of the foreskin, failure to observe personal hygiene rules. The main method of treating purulent balanoposthitis in a child is circular excision of the foreskin, that is, circumcision. In particularly severe cases, the child undergoes skin plastic surgery, which is aimed at expanding the ring of the foreskin.

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Balanoposthitis in a newborn

Balanoposthitis in newborns occurs very often. The inflammatory process causes swelling of the head of the penis, causes restless behavior and pain in the baby. The appearance of the disease is associated with harmful microorganisms that are in the intestines or on the skin of the newborn (Proteus, E. coli, staphylococci, yeast fungi Candida).

The foreskin of a newborn differs greatly from the foreskin of an adult man. This is due to the fact that after birth, for some time, the head and foreskin of a child are a single system, that is, the head cannot be opened, since it is completely attached to the penis. As the baby grows, this fold of skin is removed. All this suggests that newborns are born with phimosis. Therefore, the first cause of balanoposthitis in a baby is the parents' attempts to open the head themselves. This leads to ruptures of the skin and the penetration of infection. Balanoposthitis can appear due to rare diaper changes and bathing the baby in baths with foam and other irritants.

The main symptom of inflammation is swelling and redness, and in some cases, blueness of the head of the penis. Sometimes the child develops a rash. The baby turns from calm to capricious and fussy. Also, parents may notice that when changing a diaper, diaper rash appears in the folds of the baby's skin, which does not disappear after using special creams and powders. Another symptom of balanoposthitis in a newborn is damage to the mucous membrane of the oral cavity. It seems as if small clots of milk remain in the mouth. Stomatitis can also cause inflammation of the genitals in a newborn.

Treatment of balanoposthitis in a newborn is carried out under the supervision of a pediatrician with strict adherence to all rules and requirements. As a rule, the therapy is conservative, the baby's penis is washed with herbal infusions, decoctions and disinfectants. It is mandatory to maintain hygiene of the genitals in order to prevent relapses of the disease.

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Balanoposthitis in infants

Balanoposthitis in infants is not uncommon, as boys under five are susceptible to infectious and inflammatory diseases of the genitals. Balanoposthitis can appear due to phimosis, poor hygiene of the prepuce and other infectious lesions. The disease causes redness of the foreskin and head of the penis, small ulcers and erosion of the epithelium.

A short frenulum of the penis in combination with phimosis can also provoke the appearance of balanoposthitis. Due to the impossibility of completely exposing the head of the penis, inflammatory diseases and even tumors develop. As the child grows, a short frenulum will create discomfort, and in adulthood - problems during sexual intercourse and with erection. Such deviations in infants cause balanoposthitis, therefore they require not only medical therapy to eliminate inflammation, but also surgical intervention.

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Balanoposthitis in boys

Balanoposthitis in boys is a disease of the genitals caused by yeast fungi, streptococcal and staphylococcal microorganisms. In medical practice, there are two forms of balanoposthitis: primary and secondary. Primary occurs due to infection, and secondary, as one of the symptoms of chronic diseases. Inflammation requires immediate treatment, since without appropriate therapy, the disease causes complications and negative consequences, and can also become recurrent or chronic.

Symptoms of balanoposthitis in boys are accompanied by swelling and hyperemia of the head and foreskin of the penis, causing severe itching and burning in the groin area. The child becomes restless, experiences painful sensations when urinating and trying to open the head of the penis, sometimes the body temperature rises. If balanoposthitis is not treated in time, the disease will lead to cicatricial phimosis and infection of the genitourinary system, which will have a very negative effect on the functioning of the reproductive system of the future man.

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Acute balanoposthitis in children

Acute balanoposthitis in children usually begins suddenly, that is, without any apparent reason at first glance. A previously healthy child experiences pain in the penis and when trying to urinate. The foreskin becomes swollen and hyperemic. The child develops purulent discharge of yellow or white color. Acute balanoposthitis in children causes fever, anxiety, and general weakness.

Despite such vivid symptoms, treatment of acute balanoposthitis is not difficult. The duration of the inflammatory process relief is 2-3 days. As a rule, the child is prescribed baths with chamomile decoction or furacilin. Ointments with drying and bactericidal action are used in treatment. It is also important to follow hygiene rules to prevent the disease from appearing in the future.

Treatment balanoposthitis in a child

It is necessary to treat balanoposthitis in a child without fail, since the disease itself will not go away, but will become chronic, recurrent, and will entail a lot of unfavorable consequences and complications. To carry out treatment, it is necessary to take the child to a urologist. The doctor will conduct an examination and prescribe a number of tests for differential diagnosis of balanoposthitis. Treatment is carried out by conservative methods (baths, ointments, lotions, tablets), in especially severe cases, the child is circumcised.