Balanitis N48.10

Common, polyetiological inflammation of the glans penis; usually occurring in combination with inflammation of the inner foreskin leaf (posthitis). Therefore, differentiation of the terms balanitis and posthitis is not necessary.

Pathogenetic classification of balanitis:

Infectious balanitis:

• Mycotic conditioned:
  • Balanitis candidamycetica
• Bacterially caused:
  • Bacterial balanitis (causative agents are: group A and B streptococci ; Haemophilus parainfluenzae, Klebsiellen, Enterococci, Morganella, Escherichia coli, Gardnerella vaginalis, anaerobic Bacteroides species).
  • Balanitis erosiva circinata
  • Balanitis gangraenosa
  • Balanitis nigricans.
• Ulcerative bacterial balanitis:
  • Syphilis (primary effect)
  • Ulcus molle
  • Tuberculosis
  • diphtheria.
• Virally caused:
  • Herpes genitalis ( Herpes simplex recidivans)
  • Condylomata acuminata
• Parasitic conditioned:
  • Scabies
  • Pediculosis pubis
  • Concomitant with urethritis caused by amoebic trichomonads.

Non-infectious balanitides:

• Balanitis simplex (reactive, usually toxic-irritant triggered balanitis).
• Contact allergic balanitis
• Balanitis plasmacellularis (zoon)
• Fixed drug exanthema (balanitis/balanoposthitis acuta)
• Balanitis parakeratotica circinata
• Balanitis in lichen sclerosus et atrophicus
• Secondary involvement of glans and/or prepuce in various skin and general diseases(balanitis symptomatica):
• Psoriasis vulgaris
• lichen planus
• Erythema multiforme (involvement in the context of an exanthema)
• Balanitis diabetica
• Pemphigus vulgaris
• Cicatrizing pemphigoid
• M. Behçet.

Clinically, balanoposthitis is characterized by itching or burning, redness and swelling, weeping, punctiform or extensive erosion, rarely ulceration.

The treatment depends on the underlying disease. If the penile inflammation is persistent and persistent, a circumcision may be recommended (Morris BJ et al. 2017).

1. Morris BJ et al (2017) Penile Inflammatory Skin Disorders and the Preventive Role of Circumcision. Int J Prev Med 8:32.