Why does zoon balanitis resists treatment in me?

Question

Hi doctor,

I was diagnosed with zoon balanitis two months ago, and I started taking Tacrolimus 0.03 % the next day. It has been eight weeks since I took the medication, but there has been no improvement, and the lesion is still there. However, it has faded (it was bright red initially, and now it is a little brownish), but it is still present. I just want to know if this is fine. Does it take time to heal, or should it have disappeared completely by now? Kindly give your suggestions.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I can understand your concern. Zoon balanitis is an inflammatory condition on the glans penis which may be recurrent, and most often, the cause is unknown. They may appear on and off and differ in severity from person to person. Although they are not life-threatening, if they are not completely manageable with topical creams, other available interventions may be considered. Tacrolimus (immunosuppressive drug), 0.03 % ointment, is a great medication for treating zoon balanitis, and I am glad to know you feel better with its usage. Yes, the lesions take time to subside; they even take months and may vary among individuals based on their severity. Therefore being consistent with the medication may be helpful. Also, I suggest you to consult a surgeon to assess its severity and rule out if surgeries are needed to get rid of the recurring lesion, which may be bothersome. In addition, laser therapy may also help, which is non-invasive but will provide better results. Also, I suggest you to avoid using harsh soaps or chemical washes to clean the affected area. In addition, using lukewarm water to clean the affected area will be beneficial. I hope this helps you. Take care.