Patient's question:
I've been feeling uncomfortable down there for a while. It's both painful and itchy, and my glans seems particularly red and a bit swollen. The odor is especially unpleasant, and there are yellowish secretions on my glans. Is this likely balanitis? I'd like to know: What are the key points to pay attention to in the care of balanitis?Doctor's answer:
Clinical diagnosis is divided into several types.1. Acute Superficial Balanitis:
1. Erythema, swelling, desquamation, and exudation at the affected area; subjective pain and itching.
2. Often caused by friction, condoms (medicated), detergents, and other irritants.
2. Candidal Balanitis:
1. Early erythema, scattered pinpoint-sized red papules on the surface, covered with pinpoint creamy discharge, pustules; severe cases may develop desquamation and exudation.
2. Direct microscopic examination of the discharge reveals Candida spores and hyphae.
3. Patients often have a history of long-term use of broad-spectrum antibiotics or corticosteroids, or diabetes.
3. Trichomoniasis Balanitis:
1. Erythema, papules at the affected area, gradually extending, with vesicles on the surface, followed by desquamation and exudation.