What are the symptoms of dermatitis?

The main symptoms of foreskinitis are redness and swelling of the foreskin, itching, pain, increased secretions, and discomfort in urination. Posthitis may be related to bacterial infection, fungal infection, allergic reaction, poor hygiene, excessive foreskin and other factors. It usually manifests as local redness and swelling, burning sensation, odor, frequent urination and urgency, increased smegma and other symptoms. It can be treated by keeping the area clean, topical anti-infectives, oral antibiotics, anti-allergy treatments, and circumcision.

1. Redness and swelling of foreskin

Common early symptoms of foreskinitis are diffuse redness and swelling of the foreskin and glans, increased skin temperature, and an obvious burning sensation when touched. Redness and swelling may be accompanied by telangiectasia, and in severe cases, localized skin may become shiny and tight. This situation is mostly related to Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus infection. It is necessary to use erythromycin ointment or mupirocin ointment for local anti-infection treatment, and wash the affected area with warm water every day.

2. Severe itching

Patients with fungal posthitis often experience unbearable itching, which may worsen at night. The itching areas are mostly concentrated in the inner plate of the foreskin and the coronal groove of the glans penis, and epidermal damage may occur after scratching. Candida albicans infection is a common cause. You can use clotrimazole cream or miconazole nitrate cream as directed by your doctor, and avoid using irritating toiletries.

3. Abnormal secretions

White or yellow purulent secretions can be seen accumulating in the foreskin cavity, which dries to form cheese-like smegma, accompanied by an obvious fishy odor. The secretion is yellow-green in bacterial infection and white curd-like in fungal infection. The foreskin needs to be turned over and cleaned with normal saline every day, and drugs such as compound ketoconazole ointment should be used to control infection.

4. Pain during urination

When inflammation involves the urethral opening, there will be a stinging or burning sensation during urination, and the urine line may become thinner. In the acute stage, the urethral orifice may be red, swollen and everted, and there may be a small amount of bloody secretion after urination. This situation indicates the risk of urinary tract infection, and oral cefixime dispersible tablets or levofloxacin tablets are required for systemic anti-inflammatory treatment.

5. Foreskin adhesion

Chronic foreskinitis may cause pathological adhesion between the foreskin and the glans, which manifests as the inability of the foreskin to turn up normally. Long-term inflammatory stimulation can cause scarring and stenosis of the foreskin opening, affecting normal urinary function. For patients with recurrent foreskinitis combined with phimosis, it is recommended to undergo surgical circumcision after the infection is controlled.

Patients with periposthitis should pay attention to keeping the perineum dry and clean every day, wash the foreskin cavity with warm water every day and dry it thoroughly. Avoid using alkaline soaps or harsh lotions and choose breathable cotton underwear. Reduce the intake of spicy and irritating foods in the diet, and supplement the vitamin B family appropriately to enhance skin resistance. When systemic symptoms such as persistent redness, swelling, pus, and fever occur, you should seek medical treatment promptly and avoid using hormonal ointments on your own. It is recommended that patients with excessive foreskin consider surgical treatment after the inflammation subsides to prevent recurrence.