Balanitis

Prevention

Men who are uncircumcised should practice good hygiene, including fully retracting the foreskin during bathing. People with diabetes can help to prevent balanitis by carefully controlling their blood sugar.

Treatment

Treatment depends on the cause.

If your problem is caused by a yeast infection, you will be advised to use an antifungal cream. Clotrimazole (Lotrimin, Mycelex) is a very effective over-the-counter medication, which is also used to treat vaginal yeast infections and athlete's foot. Apply it to the affected area two to three times daily for 10 days. Your doctor also may recommend a prescription antifungal treatment, either in a cream or pill form.

If you have an infection with skin bacteria, you will be told to use an antibiotic cream, and to make sure you clean the area thoroughly. Occasionally antibiotic pills may be necessary, especially for balanitis caused by sexually transmitted infections.

When the skin is inflamed, but not infected, you will be advised to keep the area clean and dry and to avoid any soaps or skin lotions that may be aggravating the condition. Sometimes a cortisone cream can help to improve the problem more quickly. However, cortisone can make certain infections worse, so it is best to avoid this type of medication unless it is prescribed by a physician.

Circumcision often prevents repeated infections, especially in uncircumcised men who have a tight, difficult-to-retract foreskin. Once effective treatment begins, you usually do not need to avoid sex, although sexual contact can chafe or inflame the affected area. Rarely, sexual contact can pass an infection back and forth between partners. If this occurs, both partners may require treatment at the same time to prevent further episodes.