Balanitis, or the Inflammation of the Penis Head
Balanitis is a very unpleasant condition that commonly affects men.
Diagnosis and treatment of balanitis are actually very simple. Here we provide some information on how to get rid of this unpleasant inflammation as soon as possible.
Hygiene is extremely important for a healthy penis. (jlp)
What is balanitis?
Balanitis is a disease we talk about when the head of the penis gets inflamed. The skin becomes red, sensitive to the touch, and sometimes also itchy. The inflammation is caused by many factors – viruses, bacteria or fungi. They may all occur where the hygiene is inadequate and the area where the head of the penis rests is warm and moist. Hygiene can soon become a problem with 
uncircumcised men. The other reason is the wearing out of the skin during intercourse or masturbation. Such skin is more likely to get inflamed.
A milder form of balanitis.
Circumcised Vs. uncircumcised penis
Treatment of balanitis depends on the cause of inflammation, so you should visit your doctor, especially if the inflammation is recurrent. Children often get it (3-4% of them) whether they are circumcised or not, and research on the subject continues. Research has to take into account many different factors. One thing is for certain - chances of getting this kind of inflammation depend on the individual’s hygiene. Some studies suggest that balanitis is more common in uncircumcised men, whose prepuce is too narrow and is hard to pull over the head of the penis, which prevents regular hygiene. On the other hand, washing your penis with soap too often also increases chances of balanitis.
If your penis looks like this, you should visit your physician immediately.
Prevention and treatment
To prevent balanitis, you must take care to wear fresh, airy and not-too-tight underwear. After taking a shower, dry yourself well before you put on your pants. If you have strong pubic hair, you can blow-dry them, too. All those of you who aren't circumcised, take care and shake your penis well after urinating (but aim straight into the bowl).
The best thing to do is to retract the skin from the head and clear the way for the urine to flow without any obstacles. Use toilet paper to wipe yourself.
The treatment of balanitis is quite similar, in case you decide not to visit your physician. Your penis should be kept dry and in an airy environment. Retract the skin and let the head breathe. Inflammation will disappear faster this way. A visit to your physician is recommended, as he or she will prescribe the correct treatment based on the type of your inflammation.
