Posthitis
Encyclopedia
Posthitis is inflammation
of the foreskin
of the human penis
(the prepuce).
The term "posthitis" comes from the Greek "posthe" meaning foreskin + "-itis" meaning inflammation = inflammation of the foreskin.
or psoriasis
. The inflammation may be caused by irritants in the environment. Common causative organisms include Candida, Chlamydia, and Gonorrhea. The cause must be properly diagnosed before a treatment can be prescribed.
A common risk factor is diabetes.
, scarring of the foreskin which makes it difficult to retract. This then makes cleaning very difficult and predisposes to balanoposthitis
Posthitis can also lead to superficial ulcerations and diseases of the inguinal lymph nodes.
, in particular cleaning the glans of the penis, is generally considered sufficient to prevent infection and inflammation of the foreskin. Full retraction of the foreskin may not be possible in boys younger than about ten years.
The treatment depends on identification of the cause. Irritants in the environment should be removed. Antibiotics and antifungals can be used to treat the infection, but good hygiene such as keeping the area dry is essential to stop recurrence, however excessive washing with soap can cause contact dermititis.
If infection is sexually transmitted, sexual partners should be notified and treated.
(inflammation of the glans, the rounded head of the penis) usually occur together as balanoposthitis
: inflammation of both the glans and foreskin. Circumcision
prevents balanoposthitis. Without a foreskin, there can be no posthitis or balanoposthitis although balanitis can occur separately.
Inflammation
Inflammation is part of the complex biological response of vascular tissues to harmful stimuli, such as pathogens, damaged cells, or irritants. Inflammation is a protective attempt by the organism to remove the injurious stimuli and to initiate the healing process...
of the foreskin
Foreskin
In male human anatomy, the foreskin is a generally retractable double-layered fold of skin and mucous membrane that covers the glans penis and protects the urinary meatus when the penis is not erect...
of the human penis
Penis
The penis is a biological feature of male animals including both vertebrates and invertebrates...
(the prepuce).
The term "posthitis" comes from the Greek "posthe" meaning foreskin + "-itis" meaning inflammation = inflammation of the foreskin.
Signs and Symptoms
The foreskin is red, swollen and tender and there may be a smelly discharge associated.Causes
Posthitis can have infectious causes such as bacteria or fungi or non-infectious causes such as contact dermatitisContact dermatitis
Contact dermatitis is a term for a skin reaction resulting from exposure to allergens or irritants . Phototoxic dermatitis occurs when the allergen or irritant is activated by sunlight....
or psoriasis
Psoriasis
Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease that appears on the skin. It occurs when the immune system mistakes the skin cells as a pathogen, and sends out faulty signals that speed up the growth cycle of skin cells. Psoriasis is not contagious. However, psoriasis has been linked to an increased risk of...
. The inflammation may be caused by irritants in the environment. Common causative organisms include Candida, Chlamydia, and Gonorrhea. The cause must be properly diagnosed before a treatment can be prescribed.
A common risk factor is diabetes.
Sequelae
Posthitis can lead to phimosisPhimosis
Phimosis , from the Greek phimos ), is a condition where, in men, the foreskin cannot be fully retracted over the glans penis...
, scarring of the foreskin which makes it difficult to retract. This then makes cleaning very difficult and predisposes to balanoposthitis
Posthitis can also lead to superficial ulcerations and diseases of the inguinal lymph nodes.
Prevention in uncircumcised men
HygieneHygiene
Hygiene refers to the set of practices perceived by a community to be associated with the preservation of health and healthy living. While in modern medical sciences there is a set of standards of hygiene recommended for different situations, what is considered hygienic or not can vary between...
, in particular cleaning the glans of the penis, is generally considered sufficient to prevent infection and inflammation of the foreskin. Full retraction of the foreskin may not be possible in boys younger than about ten years.
Treatment
If contact dermatitis is suspected, soaps and other external irritants should be discontinued and a latex allergy should be investigated.The treatment depends on identification of the cause. Irritants in the environment should be removed. Antibiotics and antifungals can be used to treat the infection, but good hygiene such as keeping the area dry is essential to stop recurrence, however excessive washing with soap can cause contact dermititis.
If infection is sexually transmitted, sexual partners should be notified and treated.
Circumcision
In the uncircumcised male, posthitis and balanitisBalanitis
Balanitis is inflammation of the glans penis . When the foreskin is also affected, it is termed balanoposthitis....
(inflammation of the glans, the rounded head of the penis) usually occur together as balanoposthitis
Balanoposthitis
-Background:Balenoposthitis is defined as the inflammation of the foreskin and glans in uncircumcised males. Balanoposthitis occurs over a wide age range and may have any of multiple bacterial or fungal origins or be caused by contact dermatitis...
: inflammation of both the glans and foreskin. Circumcision
Circumcision
Male circumcision is the surgical removal of some or all of the foreskin from the penis. The word "circumcision" comes from Latin and ....
prevents balanoposthitis. Without a foreskin, there can be no posthitis or balanoposthitis although balanitis can occur separately.