Balanitis is a condition that can be extremely painful and debilitating. While it does not render an individual bedridden, it can severely affect that amount of movement the individual can perform. Balanitis is a condition that affects men and is characterized by the inflammation of the penis glans – which is essentially the foreskin of the penis.


As a result, the condition is more common in uncircumcised men than it is in their circumcised counterparts. Contrary to popular belief, the condition is not sexually transmitted and is purely the result of an overgrowth of the organisms present in the skin of the glans. The condition is usually brought on by yeast, fungal or bacterial infections or the effects of chemical irritants that may be introduced to the area as a result of condoms, spermicides or clothing.


The condition can be classified into a range of five different types – candidal balanitis, trichomonal balanitis, chlamydial balanitis, anaerobic balanitis and mycoplasma balanitis. The more noticeable symptoms of the condition include the development of a red rash on the head as well as shaft of the penis, just under the foreskin. The incubation period during the development of the condition ranges from between 3 to 7 days and the very first visible signs of its presence include the development of red erosions on the glans. When the condition is left untreated and allowed to progress it can result in the progression of confluent ulcerations that will be accompanied by considerable edema of the penis.

The best and most effective way to treat the condition is to pay very close attention to one’s own personal hygiene. Regular washing of the penis and scrotum area with soap water will help prevent the onset of the condition considerably. If already affected by the condition, you can try a simple yet effective home remedy in the comfort of your own home and bathroom. All you need to do is gently slide back the foreskin of your penis during a shower until the entire head is exposed. Wash the head and foreskin of the penis with the help of some kind of glycerin cream instead of bathing soap – which may tend to irritate the skin. It is also necessary to dry down the area and leave it exposed to allow any redundant moisture to evaporate faster. When you need to urinate, make sure you pull the foreskin back to avoid any of the urine wetting the foreskin.