What to do if the glans penis becomes red and itchy

Itching of the glans penis is a common symptom of glans inflammation. Generally, if the glans inflammation of men is more serious, the glans penis will usually have symptoms such as itching and flushing, and some may even cause blisters on the glans penis. If the glans penis is inflamed, the normal sexual function of men will also be affected, so anti-inflammatory measures should be taken in time. So, what should we do if the glans penis is flushed and itchy?

Balanitis refers to inflammation of the inner layer of the foreskin and the glans penis. A lipid substance secreted in the normal foreskin cavity can accumulate into smegma when the foreskin is too long or the foreskin is phimosis, which can irritate the foreskin and glans penis and cause balanitis. This disease can also be caused by bacterial, fungal infection or drug allergy.

Causes

The causes of this disease can be divided into two categories

1. Simple or non-infectious factors

In addition to physiological phimosis, glans inflammation changes may occur due to excessive foreskin, smegma stimulation after sexual maturity, or a few mechanical injury factors.

2. Infectious or communicable diseases

Balanitis is mainly caused by pathogenic microorganisms, among which bacterial and fungal infections are the most common.

Clinical manifestations

Balanitis caused by drug allergy is a delayed allergic reaction, which usually occurs 24 to 72 hours after taking the drug.

Candidal balanitis: It is more common in cases of excessive foreskin and a history of unclean sexual intercourse. The foreskin and glans penis may be slightly flushed. There may be white cheese-like secretions on the inner plate of the foreskin and the glans glans coronal sulcus. There may be needle-sized light red papules on the glans glans. If the outer foreskin and scrotum are invaded, scaly erythema may be seen. If the fossa navicularis is involved, there may be frequent urination and dysuria. There may be burning sensation and itching locally. Occasionally, fulminant edema balanitis may occur, which is mainly manifested by obvious edema and severe itching of the foreskin penis, with shallow ulcers.

1. Acute superficial galactitis

It is usually caused by friction of underwear, trauma, or local irritation from soap or detergent. It manifests as edema, erythema, exudation, erosion, secondary infection with purulent secretions, easy formation of ulcers, and spontaneous pain.

2. Annular erosive glans

The lesions of the glans and foreskin are ring-shaped, or the rings have cheese-like smegma, which can easily break down into superficial ulcers over time. If the ring-shaped features are lost, it is difficult to distinguish from superficial glansitis. This disease can exist alone or as a mucosal symptom of Reiter syndrome.

3. Cytoplasmic balanitis

It is more common in middle-aged people. It is a single or multiple chronic inflammations that last for a long time. The damage is plaque-like, with a smooth or scaly or moist surface, and the infiltration is more obvious. The boundary is clear and not easy to break. Small spots like paprika can be seen on the surface. The appearance is difficult to distinguish from the hyperplastic erythema of the glans penis. If similar damage occurs in the vulva, it is called plasmacytic vulvitis.

4. Mica and keratotic pseudoepitheliomatous glansitis

The glans penis is damaged, infiltrated, hypertrophic, hyperkeratotic, and has mica-like crusts. The affected area loses its normal elasticity and atrophies over time.

Complications

Secondary phimosis; urethral orifice stenosis; anterior urethral stenosis.

treatment

1. Keep the area clean to prevent secondary infection. Apply iodine-fluoride solution or anti-inflammatory ointment locally. Allergic balanitis requires oral anti-allergic drugs and topical cortisone ointment.

2. For exudate erosion, you can use 3% boric acid water or 0.1% levulinol wet compress.

3. Corticosteroid cream can be used for patients in the non-infectious subacute stage.

4. For chronic stage or dry desquamation, tetracycline cortisone ointment can be used.

5. If the infection is obvious, with fever and lymphadenopathy, systemic antibiotics such as cefuroxime or ofloxacin can be applied.

6. Circumcision: If the foreskin or foreskin is swollen and cannot be turned over for washing and drainage is not smooth, and the inflammation still cannot subside after general treatment, dorsal circumcision can be performed to facilitate drainage. Circumcision can be performed after the inflammation completely subsides.

Prevention

Wash the foreskin and glans penis frequently, and keep the foreskin cavity clean and dry. You should pay attention to developing good hygiene habits. Circumcision is a good preventive measure for those with excessive foreskin or phimosis (foreskin cannot be turned over). If the disease is found, turn over the foreskin at the affected area, soak and clean it with potassium permanganate solution, and use antibiotics appropriately. Most cases will be cured within a few days. If the disease is more serious, effective treatment should be carried out under the guidance of a doctor.