Stubborn Balanitis Won’t Go Away - Men's Health Forum

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Stubborn Balanitis Won’t Go Away

NightOwl71 profile image
33 Replies

Hey guys, I am a 46 yr old male who has suffered for many yrs with Balanitis. I saw several dermatologists & tried all kinds of ointments (prescription & over the counter) but none of that worked. So I finally gave in and had a circumcision done 6 yrs back. Even flew out of state to have a highly recommended urologist do the procedure. But, unfortunately, my condition only got partially better and my glans is still moderately sore whenever I touch my glans or my clothes rub on it. So I’m basically just smearing on Vaseline and wearing tight underwear whenever I exercise or leave the house. I’m also really missing my foreskin now. Needless to say, it is quite frustrating and it seems that very few doctors know how to treat this condition. My question is... does anyone else here have a similar experience or have you guys done anything that has helped when Balanitis fails to respond to Clomitrazole & surgery? I just got a prescription for a high priced cream call Cloderm but the ingredients sound like stuff i’ve already tried so I’m hesitant to buy it. I did also read somewhere that having a biopsy on the glans might pinpoint what exact strain of Balanitis I have but it’s supposedly very painful so i’ve been putting that off. But I would do just about anything, at this point, if it finally cleared this annoying condition up.

Anyway, any suggestions are welcome & thx for the help.

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33 Replies
Cipher profile image
Cipher

Hmm if the doctors can't really pinpoint the problem then it seems you need the biopsy. Have you been using vaseline all this time for the last 6 years years?

NightOwl71 profile image
NightOwl71 in reply to Cipher

Nah, I was using prescription ointments off & on for awhile but they didn’t do much. So I then tried some over the counter Balanitis relief like Terrasil & Suragel but that wasn’t any better than Vaseline. So for the last year, or so, that’s all i’ve been using.

As far as the biopsy goes, I think you may be right. Amazingly, none of my dermatologists have ever recommended it. I guess they just think my condition is either too mild (it still hurts & looks are deceiving) or I will eventually respond to something. But so far, no dice. Anyway, I know i’m just about out of options but, like everyone else, I keep holding out hope for that miracle cure.

Cipher profile image
Cipher in reply to NightOwl71

Wait so you went to a dermatologist with your balanitis and not a urologist ?

NightOwl71 profile image
NightOwl71 in reply to Cipher

No, I actually went to a urologist several yrs back but he wasn’t very helpful. Just told me to use Clomitrazole or get a circumcision.

Cipher profile image
Cipher in reply to NightOwl71

There can be several causes for balanitis. Infection (non-sexual) sexual infection, allergies, skin irritation and other. Since it persists you need to get a biopsy to find out what is the cause of it as there might be several or a combination.

NightOwl71 profile image
NightOwl71 in reply to Cipher

Yeah, I think you’re right. I was just wondering if there was maybe something natural I may have overlooked or if there was some new & improved drug that my doctor doesn’t know about yet. But if nothing comes along, soon, i’ll definitely ask my dermatologist for a biopsy. Thx for your help.

Pete55 profile image
Pete55 in reply to NightOwl71

Hi NightOwl

I just recently am doing searches into this condition. One question?

have you tried Suragel? I have heard good reviews on Amazon.

jimfromcalif profile image
jimfromcalif

Have you been checked for diabetes?

NightOwl71 profile image
NightOwl71 in reply to jimfromcalif

I have but not for a couple yrs. Going to do that soon.

jimfromcalif profile image
jimfromcalif in reply to NightOwl71

Are you washing with soap or ingesting antibiotics? Either could trigger a yeast infection.

Plain yogurt with live culture can be used to restablish a good bacterial colony inside the foreskin. Dab the entire preputial cavity with a small amount for a few days. Use plain, clear water to rinse out.

NightOwl71 profile image
NightOwl71 in reply to jimfromcalif

No soap or antibiotics. Also, I no longer have a foreskin.

Pete55 profile image
Pete55 in reply to NightOwl71

Hello NightOwl71

Have you tried what 'jimfromcalif' suggested and applied 'plain yogurt with live culture' to the penis?

Pete55 profile image
Pete55 in reply to jimfromcalif

Hi jimfromcalif

You seem to be knowledgeable so i'm going to tell you and hope you have some comments. This condition doesn't seem to be just skin deep, it feels like it has infected the inner tracts too. And even deeper into the tissue.

jimfromcalif profile image
jimfromcalif in reply to Pete55

I read an article yesrerday about the therapeutic effects of garlic. It suggested roasting a head of garlic and then eating six cloves

Pete55 profile image
Pete55 in reply to jimfromcalif

Do you think it will work without roasting? You see I’m traveling at the moment and don’t have access to a an oven.

jimfromcalif profile image
jimfromcalif in reply to Pete55

I have no idea, but if you do eat them raw, be forewarned that you will stink!

Stevieo1 profile image
Stevieo1

I've been doing a lot of research lately and you may have to introduce natural yoghurt into your diet

NightOwl71 profile image
NightOwl71 in reply to Stevieo1

Oh yeah? Interesting. I am working on my diet so I’ll give it a try. Thx!

jimfromcalif profile image
jimfromcalif in reply to Stevieo1

Excellent advise.

Pete55 profile image
Pete55 in reply to Stevieo1

Hello Stevieo1

Can you please tell what you mean by natural yogurts and how to apply? Do we eat yogurt and/of rub on the affected area?

jimfromcalif profile image
jimfromcalif in reply to Pete55

Natural yogurt has live cultures which are listed.

Tismefolks profile image
Tismefolks

Get a circumcision as the long term prognosis for BXO isnt pleasant.

Ryanr profile image
Ryanr

As stated if you suffer from recurring balanitis circumcision is probably the best option for you as creams and ointments have failed.

Rizzitelli profile image
Rizzitelli

Balanitis solution:

I had the same problem for 8 yrs and was reading about this topic quit a lot. That's why circumcision was not an option for me, in most of the patients it did not work. Finally I found a solution for me. Firstly it started with a fungal infection years ago. Got red spots on the glans. The dermatologist gave me Elidel cream which contains cortisone. It worked but the cortisone destroys the skin/foreskin over the years. I went to another dermatologist and 2 urologists over the years and tried many ointments. It got worse and affected the foreskin as well. Internal I got an infection as well after years, very painful (felt like prostate infection). The reason it got worse was because of all the different ointments which I applied a lot, that damaged the skin even more (the skin couldn't recover anymore). So first of all patience is a key. I´ve found the right ointment, Bactroban which is available over the counter. Supiroban is exactly the same, just a different Company (Ingredient: Mupirocin). So I dried the penis after showering (obviously no shower gel or soap) with a hair dryer (not too hot) 2x a day. Then I used Bactroban on the foreskin. Twice a week Elidel but only very thin layer on the glans until the red spot were gone. The whole process to heal took about 4 months but the pain and red spots (damaged skin) was much better after 2 weeks. So far it works very well and I only use the Bactroban ointment now and then for prevention, Elidel I actually don't use anymore. Do not apply too much ointment at the time, don't use shower gels or soaps, keep it dry

Pete55 profile image
Pete55 in reply to Rizzitelli

Hello Rizzitelli

Can you please detail more on how it worked with both these creams: MUPRINOCIN and ELIDEL ?? many thanks

Pete55 profile image
Pete55

I found a cure for myself.

Afetr suffering with this for 2 months and trying suggestions here, which failed for me, I went to a private doctor, this is the 2 things I did:

1) Applied Iodine by Betadine 60ml but any Iodine solution will do. It's a brown liquid and you mix it with around 50ml or so cold to warm water (not hot), until the solution looks like the consistency or a strong English Breakfast tea (of course without milk). Place the penis head into this solution for 5 minutes. Do this twice a day.

2) Secondly, a prescription to antibiotic Doxycycline at 100mg x 28 capsules. I took one twice a day for 2 weeks.

This worked for me! Although, due to getting this remedy in parts, I did only the Iodine part for the first 2 weeks on its own. This cleared the skin up but I kept the uncomfortable swelling feeling in the penis shaft and testicles.

When eventually getting the Doxycycline it soothed the swelling feeling too.

If others try this remedy please write your experiences here too so we can see if this is a global cure (cure for all) for this very strange disorder or not.

Prior to this I also tried Canesten HC, which always worked in the past for this condition which I believe is Thrush and/or Balanitis. Balanitis being the product of Thrush.

Really hope this helps others out there! Please post your results if you decide to try this.

wayofflow profile image
wayofflow in reply to Pete55

Hello Pete, I have had this problem for 2 months as well. What did the private doctor diagnose u with? What did he say that was different and why did he suggest this treatment?

I've been to 3 different walk-in doctors. I've used anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti inflammatory medicine, but the doctor recommended only over-the-counter medicine. None of worked and my itchy penis has been a huge pain to deal with.

What do you say to the doctor to get a different treatment?

nagajan profile image
nagajan

I am a 34 year old - I was suffering from Balanitis - the name given to itching foreskin but not tip : includes little yellowish discharge around ring specially with more the white stuff : I had visited 6 dermotoligist and 4 urologist - everyone would give cream - inclusing Clomitrazole and every kinda cream ending with +derm. All cream would let the redness and itching go away for a day or two but would return once stop rubbing the cream - its basically buying out time and all creams are useless.

The last resort was circumcision which I went ahead and did it and now life is a paradise...

I would get questions like - Are you visiting paid performers - multiple partner - diabitik - smoking or others which was complete NO - Also when suffering through balanitis even slight - Dont get a BJ without condom - as saliva coses more itching.

Why circsumsion - because it releases you hijacked mind focused [ fear and anxiety of something wrong with me ] - on itching during mundane life. Balanitis is also transmittal. During balanitis your erection goes for a toss and you start taking weird pills for your joe to get up - you start taking wrong direction.

Every cream ending with derm is basically a steriod based cream that makes looks alright on top but reappears once stopped - during your itching suffering you basically give a shot to every thing - from cream to home based remedies like rubbing alcohol or yoghurt or salt bath.

I had surfed enough of blogs on balanitis prior to knifing - and no where found a block who got rid of balanitis apart from circumcision. Circumcision does not limit to age [ I am no one on age advise ]

Anyone who has suffered more than 6 months or nearing a year - I would suggest circumsion - Its a surgery of a day and within another 45 days of recovery you are back as a stallion.

Just a precautionary note that has been jolted Million times - Do not engage in sexual activity with condoms - No matter how strong emotions are... after a jerk - the world seems same so dont rush - things like a a little gum rash can lead to tuff times for both genders...

Everyone is different - But I thought sharing my story would help some one hopefully....

michaelpap profile image
michaelpap

Hello.I think i have balanitis like a month now and i don’t how it happened.I am very clean person.I use betadine soup and a dectarin cream once a day.I have NO itching or pain.Just red spots one the head and the skin.So all that goes away and the penis looks like normal but it keeps coming back and goes all the time.Especialy when i use other soaps.Some times it comes with out doing anything.I don’t know what to do and i still didn’t go to a doctor because i don’t think that they will help and i will spend much money on them with no solution

Markus410 profile image
Markus410

I tried a product called suragel and it worked within days.... I was also suffering from chronic balanitis and was considering circumcision ,,, I had tried everything

Thankfulat58 profile image
Thankfulat58

Hi, Been where you are kinda, not as long. Tried many things. This is what works like a miracle cure. Trinolone oral past. I know it sounds silly, but someone told me, and I picked some up from Thailand on Ebay. It literally showed signs of improvement in two days and cured what nothing else could in less than a week. It is a paste, not a cream or ointment so dab it on. Keep it clean and use about 3 or four times a day.

Bs34 profile image
Bs34

I’ve read that fasting for 3 days or more is worth trying ! Induces Autophagy. Think I’m going to do it. Just having water, bit of salt and potassium from cream of tartar. Then body supposedly attacks it.

Had just his kind of crappy bacterial of balanitis for about 15 years. I’m 32.

Did you ever resolve this? Struggling with the same issue...

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