Balanitis Treatment in Dubai

Balanitis is the inflammation of the head of the penis, which may lead to pain, redness and irritation. At Yugen Care, we have the most effective balanitis treatment in Dubai to ensure that our clients get the best solution. Our professional urology doctors determine the root cause, whether it is infection, hygiene issues, or allergy, and offer the appropriate remedy. Treatment can include the use of creams or ointments, proper washing or other modifications in the individual’s hygiene, or controlling other conditions. Patient comfort is always our top focus when providing therapy since we aim to create a comfortable, private, and supportive space for the treatment. Let Yugen Care offer you professional balanitis treatment and give you the prompt and thorough urological care you need to find comfort.
Balanitis is a treatable condition that most commonly happens in uncircumcised males. The main symptoms of balanitis include inflammation and pain on the head of your penis. Treatment often includes antifungal creams, antibiotics, regular cleaning of the area and, in some cases, circumcision.

Balanitis treatment depends on its cause, but regularly washing and thoroughly drying your penis is often the best way to treat and prevent the condition.

What is balanitis?

Balanitis is pain and inflammation (swelling and irritation) of the glans (head) of the penis that happens most often in uncircumcised men or people assigned male at birth (AMAB). Circumcision is a procedure that removes skin (the foreskin) from the head of the penis (glans). Yeast infections typically cause balanitis. However, bacterial infections, viral infections and some skin (dermatological) conditions can also cause balanitis.

What if I have inflammation on the head of my penis and my foreskin?

Balanoposthitis is inflammation of the foreskin and glans. This only occurs in uncircumcised men or people AMAB. Signs of balanoposthitis include itching, irritation and swollen foreskin and glans. Balanoposthitis occurs more often in people who have diabetes or a tight foreskin.

What does balanitis look like?

Balanitis looks like redness, discoloration (red, purple, gray or white) or discolored patches on the head of your penis. You may also have shiny, swollen areas of skin.

Is balanitis STI?

No, balanitis isn’t a sexually transmitted infection (STI), and it isn’t contagious. However, certain STIs may cause balanitis, and balanitis can look like an STI. Until you receive a balanitis diagnosis from a healthcare provider and they determine that its cause isn’t an STI, it’s a good idea to avoid having sex.

Is balanitis serious?

In most cases, balanitis isn’t serious. However, it’s important to see a healthcare provider to determine its cause and receive the proper treatment.

What are the types of balanitis?

Most commonly, balanitis is due to an infection (fungal, bacterial, viral, parasitic). There are also some noninfectious types, which include:

Zoon’s balanitis. This chronic (long-lasting) type affects uncircumcised, middle-aged people and causes an inflamed, discolored penis head. It accounts for up to 10% of balanitis cases.
Circinate balanitis. This type of balanitis is a result of reactive arthritis. Reactive arthritis is a type of arthritis that develops in response to an infection in your body. In addition to inflammation and discoloration, circinate balanitis causes small lesions (sores) on the head of your penis.
Pseudoepitheliomatous keratotic and micaceous balanitis (PKMB). This very rare form of balanitis causes scaly warts or bumps on the head of your penis. It affects people over 60.
Fixed drug eruption. This is when a skin lesion appears on areas of your skin as a result of certain medications or chemicals.
Lichen planus. This is a skin condition that causes a rash to develop on one or more parts of your body.

There’s also a link to some types of balanitis and precancerous or cancerous conditions, including:

Basal cell carcinoma. This is a type of skin cancer that forms in the basal cells in the outer layer of your skin. It causes lumps or bumps to form. It’s the most common type of skin cancer.
Squamous cell carcinoma. This is a type of skin cancer that forms in the squamous cells in the outer layer of your skin. It causes bumps, marks or lesions to form. It’s the second most common type of skin cancer.
Kaposi sarcoma. This is a rare type of cancer that can affect people with weakened immune systems.
Extramammary Paget’s disease (EMPD). This is a rare condition that causes discolored, scaly, itchy skin around your genitals.

How common is balanitis?

Healthcare providers estimate that up to 10% of men or people AMAB will have balanitis during their lifetime. Balanitis is more likely to occur in uncircumcised children under 4. In adults, it’s more common if you have diabetes or if you have foreskin and don’t properly clean underneath it.

Symptoms and Causes

What are the symptoms of balanitis?

Symptoms of balanitis may appear suddenly or develop gradually. They can include:

Pain and irritation on the head of your penis.
Discoloration or discolored patches on your penis.
Itching under your foreskin.
Areas of shiny or white skin on your penis.
White discharge (smegma) under your foreskin.
A foul smell.
Pain while urinating (peeing).
Sores or lesions on the head of your penis. (This symptom is rare and appears with PKMB, which affects people over 60.)

How do people catch balanitis?

If you have foreskin, the most common cause of balanitis is infrequently cleaning your penis and under your foreskin. Other causes include:

Genital yeast infection (candidiasis).
Sexually transmitted infections.
Scabies (tiny burrowing parasite) infection.
Sensitivity or allergy to harsh soaps or chemicals.
Skin conditions that cause itchy, dry, scaly skin (such as psoriasis and eczema).
Reactive arthritis, a type of arthritis that develops in response to an infection somewhere in your body.

Who does balanitis affect?

Balanitis primarily affects uncircumcised men or people AMAB because the moist, warm area under the foreskin is the ideal place for yeast and bacteria to grow. It can occur at any age and is more common in people who have tight foreskin that doesn’t easily move over the head of their penis (phimosis). Groups with a higher risk of balanitis include people who:

Clean their penis or under their foreskin infrequently.
Are middle-aged or older.
Have diabetes, because the increased glucose (sugar) on their skin can stimulate bacterial and fungal growth.
Have obesity.
Have sexually transmitted infections.
Have a sensitivity to chemical irritants.

What are the complications associated with balanitis?

Untreated balanitis can cause chronic (long-term) inflammation. Lasting inflammation can lead to health issues, including:

Balanitis xerotica obliterans (BXO). BXO occurs when skin on the glans hardens and turns white. The hard tissue can make it difficult or impossible for urine (pee) and semen to flow through your urethra (the tube that allows fluids to exit your penis). Another name for BXO is lichen sclerosus.
Long-term inflammation can lead to scarring on your penis, which can cause the foreskin to become tight. The foreskin can tighten (constrict) so much that you can’t pull it back (retract) over the head of your penis.

Rarely, there’s a link between chronic inflammation and a higher risk of developing penile cancer.

FAQ

Diagnosis and Tests

How is balanitis diagnosed?

Healthcare providers diagnose balanitis with a physical examination to determine if an infection is causing your symptoms. Your provider may swab your urethral opening (the hole at the tip of your penis) and send the sample to a lab for testing. Your provider may also order a urine test (urinalysis) or blood test to check for diabetes and other infections. Sometimes your provider may recommend a biopsy if they think you may have another condition that looks like balanitis.

How do I know if I have balanitis?

If you have pain, irritation and discoloration on your penis, you may have balanitis. The risk increases if you have foreskin. See your provider for treatment and to determine what’s causing your symptoms. Other conditions (such as HIV, other sexually transmitted infections or a condition that’s likely to become cancer, called a premalignancy) can cause a rash and discoloration on the penis. It’s important to see your provider to get tested.

Management and Treatment

What are the treatments for balanitis?

The treatment for balanitis depends on what’s causing the condition. Treatments can include:

Antifungal creams. If a yeast infection is causing balanitis, your provider will prescribe an antifungal cream such as clotrimazole to treat the infection. You’ll need to apply the cream to the head of your penis and foreskin.
If a sexually transmitted infection is the cause of your symptoms, your provider will treat the infection with antibiotics. The antibiotic will depend on the type of infection.

Thoroughly cleaning your penis more often. Your provider will recommend that you regularly wash and dry under your foreskin to reduce the risk of balanitis returning. Don’t scrub or excessively wash your penis with harsh soaps. Warm water is often enough.

Diabetes management. If you have diabetes, your provider will show you how to manage the condition.
If you have recurring symptoms of balanitis, your provider may recommend circumcision. Circumcision is a surgical procedure in which a surgeon removes the foreskin covering your penis. Surgeons recommend this treatment most often for people who have an especially tight foreskin. If you don’t want a full circumcision, your surgeon may recommend a dorsal slit. A dorsal slit won’t remove your foreskin, but it will open the tight ring up so you can see the head of your penis.

Will balanitis go away by itself?

Most cases of balanitis require treatment. If you don’t get treatment, your symptoms may get worse, or you may develop more symptoms.

What is the fastest way to cure balanitis?

The fastest way to cure balanitis is to talk to a healthcare provider. They can make an official diagnosis, determine the cause and prescribe the best treatment.

To help quickly relieve swelling and pain, you can take over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or acetaminophen (Tylenol®). Not everyone can take these medications, so it’s a good idea to check with your healthcare provider. You can also apply ice, or a cold compress wrapped in a light towel for up to 10 minutes several times a day to help reduce swelling.

How soon after treatment will I feel better?

In most cases of balanitis, you’ll start to feel better within a few days or a week after treatment.