Balanitis

Balanitis is an inflammation that affects the head of the penis and/or the foreskin. It occurs primarily in uncircumcised men. Poor Hygiene may leas to an accumulation of smegma that irritates the skin of the penile head, ultimately causing inflammation and swelling.
Most common in men over 40 years old, Balanitis is a condition affecting about 11% of adult men and 3% of children. Balanitis is characterized by a shiny red or reddish orange area. It can also present as a yellow patch with pinpoint spotting.
Signs Symptoms of Balanitis
Occurring only in uncircumcised men, balanitis causes the following symptoms:

• Redness, swelling and tenderness of the penile head


• Discharge from the penis


• Impotence


• Swelling


• Difficulty with passing urine


• Inability to retract the foreskin
Causes of Balanitis
The causes of balanitis are not known for sure but include:


• Poor hygiene in an uncircumcised male (the most common cause)
  
• Diabetes (the most common underlying cause of balantis)
  
• Friction
  
• Response to infection. Various viruses and organisms can cause balanitis. These include HPV (human papilloma virus), strep, candida, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis
  
• Chemical irritants
• Allergic reactions to some medicines
  
• Penile caner (a rare cause of balantis)

Complications of Balanitis

Though rare, the most common serious complication of balanitis is phimosis, an inability to retract the foreskin from the glans penis.