Balanitis is inflammation of the glans penis. Balanitis of any cause is more common in uncircumcised men--about 3:1--over circumcised men. This is because the constantly covered skin is hotter and moister, and thus receptive to bacterial and fungal (i.e. candida) overgrowth. This skin occluded with a layer of organisms and their debris is much more prone to inflammation. Poorly controlled blood sugar levels predisposes. Leaving the skin, open, cool and dry promotes healing. Uncircumcised patients are on average less likely to clean the penis well and thus are predisposed to balanitis, but occasionally, a patient will be over-cleansing the area, which can be a trigger as well.
Balanitis alone may cause redness, inflammation and irritation of the penis. When the areas is secondarily infected with Candida, there may be more inflammation accompanied by a white surface material that can be removed. KOH is positive. The patient should be surveyed for other evidence of [Candida infection e.g., thrush, onychomycosis by Candida.
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