Published on Jun 13, 2019 and last reviewed on Dec 28, 2022 - 4 min read
Abstract
Candidal balanoposthitis is the inflammation of the head of the penis and foreskin caused by Candida albicans, which is a fungus. It is a very common condition among men with diabetes .To know more about candida balanoposthitis, please read the following article.
Balanoposthitis is the inflammation of both the glans penis and the foreskin. When the fungi Candida albicans cause this inflammation, it is called candidal balanoposthitis or candidal balanitis or thrush in men. Different species of Candida are responsible for causing most types of yeast infection.
Balanitis is only the inflammation of the glans penis, but balanoposthitis is swelling of the glans along with the foreskin.
The most common cause is fungal infection with Candida albicans. Candida is normally found on the surface of the skin and mucous membrane. But in immunocompromised individuals and people with poor hygiene, this fungus starts growing too much and causes symptoms.
It does not cause any symptoms in the initial stages, but the following signs and symptoms are seen if inflammation occurs:
Itching.
Soreness.
Small papules or white patches on the head of the penis.
The skin on the head of the penis appears dull red and glazed.
Swelling.
Irritation.
Foul smelling, white, and lumpy discharge is seen under the foreskin and skin folds.
Inability to pull the foreskin back (phimosis).
Pain during sex.
Some of the factors that increase the risk of an individual are:
Uncircumcised penis.
Immunocompromised condition like HIV.
Uncontrolled blood sugar levels.
Indiscriminate use of broad-spectrum antibiotics.
Using corticosteroids and chemotherapy, which suppress the immune system.
Poor hygiene.
Dehydration.
Dry skin.
Using scented soap, moisturizers, and lubricants can irritate the skin.
Poor diet.
Not drying the private areas properly after washing them.
No, it is usually not transmitted through sexual activity. But it is advisable to refrain from unprotected sex until the infection is treated.
In people with a weak immune system, a candidal infection can cause the following complication:
Invasive candidiasis - The blood gets infected with the fungal infection, which infects other organs like the heart, brain, and liver. It is a life-threatening condition and needs immediate medical attention.
This condition is usually diagnosed from the glazed appearance of the head of the penis and the whitish lesions. The doctor will first rule out the possibility of sexually transmitted infections. To confirm the diagnosis, the doctor might conduct the KOH test. KOH test or potassium hydroxide preparation or KOH prep is done by lightly scraping the infected area, and viewing the sample under the microscope to look for Candida spores and colonies.
If the infection is mild, it does not require treatment. Your doctor might prescribe a single dose of oral Fluconazole 150 mg.
Topical creams that contain Clotrimazole, Miconazole, or Nystatin, take a longer time to show effect. They are generally prescribed for 7 to 14 days.
If the inflammation is severe, then along with the topical antifungal cream, topical corticosteroids are also prescribed.
Oral antifungal medicine is recommended for people with diabetes or immune system problem or if the symptoms are severe.
Treatment with antifungals shows a cure rate of 95 %. Relapse is common if the underlying problem is not identified and treated.
Maintaining good personal hygiene helps prevent and treat this condition. A few tips that you can follow are:
The penis head should be washed carefully with warm water after retracting the foreskin.
Avoid using scented or hard soap on the genitals.
Pat dry the penis and glans penis with a soft towel after retracting the foreskin.
Wear loose underpants to keep your genitals cool and dry.
Candidal balanoposthitis is challenging to treat in diabetic patients, and the infection recurs if the blood sugar level is not controlled. This is because high blood sugar levels increase the sugar levels in the urine also. When this urine containing sugar dribbles and stays on the glans penis and foreskin, it becomes a friendly place for yeast and bacteria to feed and grow, which results in an infection.
There is not much evidence suggesting the effectiveness of probiotics containing Lactobacillus in treating candidal infections. A study showed to reduce the number of Candida cells in a certain type of candidal infection, but more research is needed to confirm this finding.
If this is the first time you are experiencing symptoms of this disease, it is better to consult a doctor before using any medicine. And if you have recurrent infections, the underlying cause has to be identified and treated.
It is a penile yeast infection caused by the fungus called candida. This fungus is normally present on the human body, which in certain situations, overgrows and results in infections. Poor hygiene and excessive sweating make a person more susceptible.
No, candidal balanitis is not an STD (sexually transmitted disease), as it is usually not transmitted through sexual intercourse. But refrain from unprotected sex until the infection settles.
Yes, it does. If the infection is mild, it will get managed with maintaining proper hygiene. Only in severe cases, your doctor might prescribe oral or topical antifungals.
It generally does not result in any complications and heals on its own. But if the person’s immune system is weak, it can result in invasive candidiasis. In this condition, the fungal infection spreads to the blood, and other organs also get infected. This needs immediate medical attention as it can be fatal.
Although very rare, inflammation of the glans penis and foreskin due to infection does slightly increase the risk of skin cancer.
Antibiotics are only used to treat infections caused by bacteria. As this is a fungal infection, antibiotics will be of no use. If the doctor suspects your symptoms are due to bacterial infection, then he or she will prescribe antibiotics after running the required tests.
This infection does not result in any lesions during the early stage. Later, they can result in white bumps on the penis head, the foreskin might appear red and glazed, and white foul-smelling discharge might be seen under the skin folds.
In case proper hygiene is not maintained and if the patient has a tight foreskin, then candidal balanoposthitis can keep recurring. In such cases, the doctor might suggest circumcision.
Neosporin contains Neomycin, Polymyxin B, and Bacitracin, and is a triple antibiotic ointment. As it is a topical antibiotic, it will not help in the treatment of candidal balanoposthitis.
Last reviewed at:
28 Dec 2022 - 4 min read
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Dermatology
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Why is balanitis not responding to T-Bact and Augmentin 625?
Query: Hello doctor,I have balanitis on the head of my penis, below the foreskin. I am applying T-Bact and taking Augmentin 625 as an oral pill. It has been four days since I have started the medication. It is not going, though itching has reduced somewhat. Please help. Read Full »
Please suggest treatment for candidal balanitis.
Query: Hi, I am suffering from balanitis since last month. I am using an antifungal cream (candid B) to avoid it. Till the time I use antifungal cream all rashes/infection disapper, but once I stop applying the cream all symptoms start again. Sympoms are: Red skin around head of penis and itchiness aft... Read Full »
Are the itchy red pink rashes due to candidal balanitis?
Query: Hello doctor, I was diagnosed with candidal balanitis and wanted a second opinion. I have itchy red and pink rash. No open sores or lesions. I had this a month ago and after Diflucan for 14 days it went away but came back this weekend. Read Full »
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