Balanitis

Question 1

What is balanitis?

Answer 1

Inflammation of the glans penis and prepuce (foreskin)

Question 2

What are the causes of balanitis?

Answer 2

Atopic eczema
Allergic contact eczema
Psoriasis
Lichen sclerosis
Candidosis
Gonorrhoea
Carcinoma in situ
Bacterial causes

Question 3

What bacteria most commonly causes balanitis?

Answer 3

Staphylococcus species

Question 4

What are the risk factors for balanitis?

Answer 4

Uncircumsised
Congenital or acquired dysfuntional foreskin
Poor hygeine
Overwashing
HPV infection
Multiple partners
High risk sexual behaviours

Question 5

What are the features of balanitis?

Answer 5

Candidiasis
- White non-urethral discharge
- Itching

Dermatitis
- Itching
- Pain
- Clear non-urethral discharge

Bacterial
- Painful
- Yellow non-urethral discharge

Lichen sclerosus
- Itching
- White plaques

Question 6

How is balanitis diagnosed?

Answer 6

Mostly clinically diagnosed
- Can confirm with swab microscopy and culture for candida albicans or bacteria

Question 7

What is the general treatment of balanitis?

Answer 7

Gentle saline washes
Washing properly under the foreskin
1% hydrocortisone cream

Question 8

What is the treatment of balanitis caused by candida?

Answer 8

Topical clotrimazole for two weeks

Question 9

What is the treatment of balanitis caused by staphylococcus?

Answer 9

Oral flucloxacillin or clarithromycin

Question 10

What is the treatment of balanitis caused by lichen sclerosis?

Answer 10

High potency topical steroids