Redness, swelling and cracking of foreskin

Men's foreskin is very susceptible to disease. Everyone must have heard about the harm of foreskin that is too long to the male body. In fact, in addition to foreskin that is too long, there are many other problems with foreskin, such as redness, swelling and cracking of foreskin. If the foreskin is red, swollen and cracked, men will experience pain in the genital area, and in severe cases, they may not be able to have normal sexual life, so treatment is needed as soon as possible. So, what should we do if the foreskin is red, swollen and cracked?

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 phimosis occurs, which can irritate the foreskin and glans penis and cause balanitis. This disease can also be caused by bacterial or 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.

Complications

Secondary phimosis; urethral orifice stenosis; anterior urethral stenosis.

Treatment of balanitis

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 of balanitis

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.