Balanoposthitis (cracks in the foreskin and on the penis) - causes and symptomatology

Inflammation of the head of the penis in medicine is called balanitis, inflammation or cracks in the foreskin is another disease called postitis. Usually, both these ailments come together, causing inflammation of the foreskin and genital organ. This disease is called balanoposthitis.

The first cause of a crack on the penis is irritation of the genitals:

• Urine, especially in people with diabetes,
• Smegmoy, in the case of non-hygiene,
• Chemical preparations (grease from a condom, gels, soap).

The second cause of crack formation in the foreskin is associated with mechanical effects (masturbation, rough sex, trauma in sports).

The third reason is allergic diseases and allergy to chemicals, food products, contraceptives (creams, vaginal suppositories, tablets, sponges). Sometimes, taking medications (antibiotics, pain medications, sleeping pills , etc.) can negatively affect the genitals in the form of rashes and microcracks. In this case, you need to undergo a test, and only after that the doctor will be able to understand what medications cause such a reaction.

The next group of causes is infectious diseases:

• Trichomoniasis;
• candidiasis;
• Bacteria (gonorrhea, E. coli, ureoplasmas, etc.);
• Viral infections (papilloma, herpes, condyloma penis);
• Oncological skin diseases;
• Psoriasis, dermatitis, flat lichen.

More often the balanoposthitis develops on a background of a phimosis (narrowing of a prepuce). This is due to the accumulation of smegma in the preputial sac, which is under the foreskin. It is there that the remains of sperm and urine are collected, and, if hygiene rules are not followed, harmful microorganisms begin to multiply in this zone. Often, because of tumors and purulent diseases of the genital organ, cracks appear on the penis and foreskin.

Sometimes inflammation and cracks in the foreskin and directly on the head of the penis result from reduced immunity, this is facilitated by STDs, diabetes mellitus, anemia, hypovitaminosis. Cases of infection through sexual contact are not uncommon. If the disease is not treated for a long time, then the microbes adapt to the immune defense, and the disease will go to the chronic stage.

Sometimes balanitis develops in young children, which is associated with a congenital anomaly of the foreskin (its tension). This makes it difficult to expose the flesh of boys and leads to the rupture of the senichial membranes, resulting in the formation of wounds.

Balanoposthitis can be acute and chronic. The acute stage is divided into erosive, simple, gangrenous and pustular-ulcer balanoposthitis.

1. Erosive is characterized by the appearance of white areas of dead tissue, which subsequently degenerate into painful erosion. After treatment, there are no traces left.

2. Simple balanoposthitis is characterized by swelling, reddening of the head of the penis and foreskin with further erosion.

3. With gangrenous balanoposthitis, purulent ulcers of various sizes and reddening of the genitals are observed. These ulcers very slowly heal, the patient's fever, chills, fatigue, weakness.

4. Chronic form - the most dangerous and intractable. This form is typical for fungal and venereal diseases.

Symptoms:

• Painful sensations, difficulties in opening the head of the penis;
• Severe itching, burning;
• Hyperemia of the foreskin and genital organ;
• Swelling;
• Unpleasant odor when the form is started;
• Purulent discharge from the preputial sac;
• Severe pain in contact and urination;
• Premature ejaculation.

Symptoms can occur in different combinations or individually. In any case, if cracks in the foreskin or on the head of a penis are noticed, it is necessary to visit the urologist urgently.