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<p align="left"><font size="6"><strong><img src="../sti/_derived/balanitis_htm_cmp_shastd2000_bnr.gif" width="650" height="60" border="0" alt="balanitis"></strong></font></p>
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<td width="19%" valign="top" bgcolor="#D8EAFE"><!--mstheme--><font face="verdana, Arial, Helvetica"><p align="center"><a href="../sti/balanimage"><img src="../images/punc_balan18_small.jpg" alt="punc balan18.jpg (17775 bytes)" border="2" width="100" height="66"></a></p>
<h6 align="center"><!--mstheme--><font color="#003366">punctuated balanitis<!--mstheme--></font></h6>
<p align="center"> </p>
<p align="center"><a href="../sti/image"><img src="../images/film.gif" alt="film.gif (2646 bytes)" style="background-color: rgb(255,255,255); color: rgb(255,255,255); border: medium none rgb(255,255,255)" width="117" height="68"></a></p>
<p align="center"><a target="_blank" href="http://www.agum.org.uk/CEG/S85_balanitis.html"></a></p>
<p align="center"></p>
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<td width="81%" valign="top"><!--mstheme--><font face="verdana, Arial, Helvetica"><h3><!--mstheme--><font color="#003366"><a name="What">What</a> is it?<!--mstheme--></font></h3>
<p>Redness, irritation and soreness of the head of the penis (the glans) is called
balanitis. Some men also complain of a <a href="../glossary#Discharge">discharge</a>
under the <a href="../glossary#Foreskin">foreskin</a> which covers the penis. The
foreskin may also be inflamed (called <a href="../glossary#Posthitis">posthitis</a>).</p>
<h3><!--mstheme--><font color="#003366">Is it common?<!--mstheme--></font></h3>
<p>It is extremely common and is generally not serious though it can cause a great deal of
concern to men and their partners.</p>
<h3><!--mstheme--><font color="#003366">Where does it come from?<!--mstheme--></font></h3>
<p>There are a number of possible causes;</p>
<blockquote>
<!--mstheme--></font><!--msthemelist--><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%">
<!--msthemelist--><tr><td valign="top" width="42"><img src="../_themes/shastd2/shasbul3.gif" width="35" height="24" hspace="3" alt="bullet"></td><td valign="top" width="100%"><!--mstheme--><font face="verdana, Arial, Helvetica">Poor hygiene. The foreskin should be withdrawn and then
the area can be gently washed. This should be done daily to stop matter building up which
can cause inflammation.
<!--mstheme--></font><!--msthemelist--></td></tr>
<!--msthemelist--><tr><td valign="baseline" width="42"><img src="../_themes/shastd2/shasbul3.gif" width="35" height="24" hspace="3" alt="bullet"></td><td valign="top" width="100%"><!--mstheme--><font face="verdana, Arial, Helvetica">Over keen hygiene. Washing too hard under the foreskin
or too frequently causes irritation.
<!--mstheme--></font><!--msthemelist--></td></tr>
<!--msthemelist--><tr><td valign="baseline" width="42"><img src="../_themes/shastd2/shasbul3.gif" width="35" height="24" hspace="3" alt="bullet"></td><td valign="top" width="100%"><!--mstheme--><font face="verdana, Arial, Helvetica">Dermatitis is when the sensitive skin of the glans and
foreskin becomes inflamed by the use of chemicals/products such as;
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<!--msthemelist--></table><!--mstheme--><font face="verdana, Arial, Helvetica">
</blockquote>
<p> - perfumed soaps and
cosmetics</p>
<p> - washing powders
(biological) and fabric softeners</p>
<p> - chemicals on hands
transferred to penis when touching it </p>
<p> - condoms or their
spermicidal <a href="../glossary#Lubricant">lubricant</a></p>
<p> - sweat/urine
collecting under the foreskin </p>
<!--mstheme--></font><!--msthemelist--><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%">
<!--msthemelist--><tr><td valign="baseline" width="42"><img src="../_themes/shastd2/shasbul3.gif" width="35" height="24" hspace="3" alt="bullet"></td><td valign="top" width="100%"><!--mstheme--><font face="verdana, Arial, Helvetica">Infection. Thrush (candida) is the most common cause
here. This is a yeast germ that women often have though it is not easily passed on from
women to men. The yeast germ however can collect under the foreskin. Other germs may also
cause a <a href="../sti/balanitis">balanitis</a>.
<!--mstheme--></font><!--msthemelist--></td></tr>
<!--msthemelist--><tr><td valign="baseline" width="42"><img src="../_themes/shastd2/shasbul3.gif" width="35" height="24" hspace="3" alt="bullet"></td><td valign="top" width="100%"><!--mstheme--><font face="verdana, Arial, Helvetica">Reaction to infection. An infection in a partner (male
or female) may cause a balanitis in a man
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<h3><!--mstheme--><font color="#003366">Can it be treated successfully?<!--mstheme--></font></h3>
<p>Yes if we can identify what is causing the problem. </p>
<blockquote>
<!--mstheme--></font><!--msthemelist--><table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="100%">
<!--msthemelist--><tr><td valign="top" width="42"><img src="../_themes/shastd2/shasbul3.gif" width="35" height="24" hspace="3" alt="bullet"></td><td valign="top" width="100%"><!--mstheme--><font face="verdana, Arial, Helvetica">Check for infection by taking <a href="../glossary#Swabs">swabs</a> and examine the skin. Treatment may be given if
needed. Partners may also be advised to attend if the balanitis is thought to be due to
sexual activity.
<!--mstheme--></font><!--msthemelist--></td></tr>
<!--msthemelist--><tr><td valign="baseline" width="42"><img src="../_themes/shastd2/shasbul3.gif" width="35" height="24" hspace="3" alt="bullet"></td><td valign="top" width="100%"><!--mstheme--><font face="verdana, Arial, Helvetica">Care should be taken with hygiene. Hands should be
washed before and after urinating.
<!--mstheme--></font><!--msthemelist--></td></tr>
<!--msthemelist--><tr><td valign="baseline" width="42"><img src="../_themes/shastd2/shasbul3.gif" width="35" height="24" hspace="3" alt="bullet"></td><td valign="top" width="100%"><!--mstheme--><font face="verdana, Arial, Helvetica">Avoid scented soaps and cosmetics
<!--mstheme--></font><!--msthemelist--></td></tr>
<!--msthemelist--><tr><td valign="baseline" width="42"><img src="../_themes/shastd2/shasbul3.gif" width="35" height="24" hspace="3" alt="bullet"></td><td valign="top" width="100%"><!--mstheme--><font face="verdana, Arial, Helvetica">Avoid biological powders/softeners for washing
underwear.
<!--mstheme--></font><!--msthemelist--></td></tr>
<!--msthemelist--><tr><td valign="baseline" width="42"><img src="../_themes/shastd2/shasbul3.gif" width="35" height="24" hspace="3" alt="bullet"></td><td valign="top" width="100%"><!--mstheme--><font face="verdana, Arial, Helvetica">Use condoms without spermicidal lubricants. <a href="../glossary#Non-oxynol-9">Non-oxynol-9</a> is usually the major culprit.
Sensitol is better. Check with your local clinic health adviser on the more suitable
brands available.
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</blockquote>
<p><a href="../sti/balanitis"><img src="../images/topengl.gif" alt="wpe2.gif (959 bytes)" width="27" height="27"></a> </p>
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