How to treat balanitis

Balanitis can be treated through daily care, topical drugs, oral drugs, physical therapy, surgical treatment, etc. Balanitis is usually caused by bacterial infection, fungal infection, allergic reaction, excessive foreskin, poor hygiene and other reasons.

1. Daily care

Keeping the perineum clean and dry is a basic measure. Wash the glans and the inside of the foreskin with warm water every day and avoid using irritating lotions. After washing, dry the moisture promptly and choose cotton underwear with good breathability. People with excessive foreskin can try to turn the foreskin up every day to fully clean it, but the action should be gentle to avoid damaging the mucous membrane. People with diabetes need to strictly control blood sugar, as a high blood sugar environment can easily aggravate infection.

2. External use drugs

Mupirocin ointment or fusidic acid cream can be applied topically for bacterial balanitis, and ketoconazole cream or clotrimazole ointment should be used for fungal infections. Allergic balanitis needs to stop using allergenic items and apply hydrocortisone butyrate cream for a short period of time to relieve symptoms. It is necessary to clean the affected area before using the medicine, maintain local ventilation after applying the medicine thinly, and avoid friction between the medicine and clothing. If there is no improvement after 3 days of medication, a follow-up visit is required to adjust the plan.

3. Oral medications

For serious bacterial infections, you can take cefaclor dispersible tablets or azithromycin tablets as directed by your doctor. For fungal balanitis, oral fluconazole capsules are required. Those with allergies can be treated with loratadine tablets as an antihistamine. The course of oral antibiotic treatment usually lasts for 5-7 days, and alcohol is prohibited during treatment. It is necessary to pay attention to the history of drug allergy and monitor liver function while taking fluconazole. If adverse reactions such as nausea and rash occur, stop taking the drug and seek medical treatment immediately.

4. Physical therapy

Recurrent chronic balanitis can be irradiated with red light to promote local blood circulation through photothermal effect. For patients with foreskin adhesions, foreskin expansion surgery can be performed to separate the adhesions. Local anesthesia is required before the operation. After physical therapy, intensive care is required, and daily disinfection with iodophor is required to prevent secondary infections. Sexual intercourse is prohibited during treatment, and spouses need to undergo simultaneous examination and treatment to avoid cross-infection.

5. Surgical treatment

For repeated inflammation caused by excessive foreskin or phimosis, circumcision is recommended to completely solve the problem. Either traditional surgery or stapler surgery can be chosen, and the stitches will be removed 7-10 days after surgery. Pressure bandage is required to stop bleeding within 24 hours after surgery, and benzalkonium chloride solution should be used to soak the incision daily after 48 hours. Do not exercise strenuously and have sex within 1 month after surgery, and check the healing status regularly.

During treatment, you should avoid eating spicy foods, quit smoking and limit alcohol consumption to reduce blood vessel dilation. Choose loose, breathable clothing to reduce friction, and avoid using public baths and sitz baths. Spouses with reproductive tract infections need to be treated simultaneously and condoms should be used for protection during sexual intercourse. During the postoperative recovery period, you can eat an appropriate amount of high-protein foods such as fish and eggs to promote wound healing, but the total amount needs to be controlled to avoid overnutrition. Pay attention to the characteristics of secretions on a daily basis. If pus, bleeding, or pain worsens, timely follow-up is required.