Zoon's Balanitis explained #52
- 3 years ago
Zoon’s balanitis is a benign (not-cancerous) condition of the foreskin and glands (head of the penis) of the penis. It was first documented in 1952 by Professor J.J. Zoon, although the exact cause is still unknown.
Signs and symptoms of Zoon’s balanitis:
Most men with this condition have moist orange-red areas on the underside of the foreskin and glands. The red areas can become inflamed and broken (ulcers) in severe cases.
The condition is usually diagnosed by clinical examination but sometimes a punch biopsy is performed. This is where a small amount of skin is removed with a special instrument after the area has been numbed with a local anaesthetic.
Zoon’s balanitis is not infectious and cannot be passed to your sexual partner. Its appearance is unpleasant for most men. Slight bleeding may also occur, but this is not a sign that it is becoming more serious. In fact, the condition can improve and worsen in cycles over many months or even years without treatment.
What treatment is available?
Soaking the area in warm salt water may help to reduce the moisture build up and even the degree of redness (inflammation). Mix 1 tablespoon salt in 1 pint cooled boiled water (hand hot).
Topical steroid creams with or without antifungal and antibacterial additives may also help, but if used for more than approximately two months, some skin thinning may occur. In some men, it is beneficial to have a circumcision, but this should be discussed with a urologist.
Tacrolimus cream, a treatment used in some skin conditions like eczema, has been used to treat Zoon’s balanitis. However, this immune system suppressant is rarely used as it has been linked with development of cancer. Some cases have also been treated with Imiquimod but this should be reserved for when steroids cannot be used.
What is the long-term outcome of treatment?
Trimovate Cream can treat Zoon's with excellent short-term success. However, in some patients
such treatment may merely delay circumcision. Long-term use of steroid creams may also lead to skin thinning, which may be mild. However the thinning is not always reversible, depending on strength of steroid and duration of use. Thinner skin will look different and the underlying blood vessels will be more easily visible. However, skin thins naturally with age and recurrent inflammation can sometimes cause skin thinning too.
Any treatment should be by a doctor with experience of treating Zoon's balanitis and will need regular reviews until treated.
I hope you enjoy the video and if you like it please like, subscribe and share.
Thank you for watching
Take care
Bret
Dr Bret Palmer
Signs and symptoms of Zoon’s balanitis:
Most men with this condition have moist orange-red areas on the underside of the foreskin and glands. The red areas can become inflamed and broken (ulcers) in severe cases.
The condition is usually diagnosed by clinical examination but sometimes a punch biopsy is performed. This is where a small amount of skin is removed with a special instrument after the area has been numbed with a local anaesthetic.
Zoon’s balanitis is not infectious and cannot be passed to your sexual partner. Its appearance is unpleasant for most men. Slight bleeding may also occur, but this is not a sign that it is becoming more serious. In fact, the condition can improve and worsen in cycles over many months or even years without treatment.
What treatment is available?
Soaking the area in warm salt water may help to reduce the moisture build up and even the degree of redness (inflammation). Mix 1 tablespoon salt in 1 pint cooled boiled water (hand hot).
Topical steroid creams with or without antifungal and antibacterial additives may also help, but if used for more than approximately two months, some skin thinning may occur. In some men, it is beneficial to have a circumcision, but this should be discussed with a urologist.
Tacrolimus cream, a treatment used in some skin conditions like eczema, has been used to treat Zoon’s balanitis. However, this immune system suppressant is rarely used as it has been linked with development of cancer. Some cases have also been treated with Imiquimod but this should be reserved for when steroids cannot be used.
What is the long-term outcome of treatment?
Trimovate Cream can treat Zoon's with excellent short-term success. However, in some patients
such treatment may merely delay circumcision. Long-term use of steroid creams may also lead to skin thinning, which may be mild. However the thinning is not always reversible, depending on strength of steroid and duration of use. Thinner skin will look different and the underlying blood vessels will be more easily visible. However, skin thins naturally with age and recurrent inflammation can sometimes cause skin thinning too.
Any treatment should be by a doctor with experience of treating Zoon's balanitis and will need regular reviews until treated.
I hope you enjoy the video and if you like it please like, subscribe and share.
Thank you for watching
Take care
Bret
Dr Bret Palmer