Balanitis

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Male reproductive anatomy

Circumcised vs. uncircumcised

Balanitis

Definition:

Balanitis is an inflammation of the foreskin and head of the penis.

Alternative Names:

Balanoposthitis

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Balanitis is usually caused by poor hygiene in uncircumcised men. The inflammation can be due to infection, harsh soaps, or failure to properly rinse soap off while bathing. Several other diseases, including Reiter's syndrome and lichen sclerosis et atrophicus, can also produce balanitis.

Review Date: 10/20/2005
Reviewed By: David R. Knowles, M.D., Advanced Urologic Surgeons, Mt. Vernon, IL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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