Patient's question:
Hello doctor, I am 26 years old and work at a private company. Last year, I met my current girlfriend through a friend's introduction, and this year we have started living together. However, recently I have noticed some small problems in my lower body, which I suspect might be balanitis. I would like to ask the doctor what are the symptoms of balanitis?Doctor's answer:
Acute superficial balanitis presents with erythema, swelling, desquamation, and exudation at the affected area; patients experience pain and itching. It is often caused by irritation from friction, condoms (medicated), detergents, etc.Candidal balanitis in the early stage shows erythema with scattered pinpoint-sized red papules on the surface, covered with creamy, point-like secretions and pustules. Severe cases may develop desquamation and exudation. Direct microscopic examination of the secretions reveals Candida spores and hyphae. Patients often have a history of long-term use of broad-spectrum antibiotics or corticosteroids, or they may have diabetes.
Trichomoniasis balanitis presents with erythema and papules at the affected area, gradually extending with vesicles on the surface, followed by desquamation and exudation.