Stubborn Balanitis doesn't go away
| Discussion in 'All Categories' started by sufferer78 - Jan 3rd, 2025 10:07 am. | |
sufferer78
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Hi, I hope anyone can help me. I'm 46 and I'm suffering on a stubborn balanitis for more than 5 months. It is so strong that I even can't wear underwear. So, I haven't left my house since July and I can't work, so I don't have an income right now. 4 doctors didn't help me. They didn't write me ill, because I "can move my fingers". I need to get cured as fast as possible. Could anyone give me some tips, please? I had an injury at my glans that got infected. I went to a dermatologist, who prescribed me Elidel cream. I used it for 5 weeks and the problem was gone. But there occurred another one: My corona glans got swollen and it hurt. This was another position as my initial injury, but the Elidel always got a bit liquid and collected around my corona glans which occured thr balanitis. I guess that Elidel damaged the skin barrier at my corona glans. Maybe in combination with the rest urin after going to toilet. There come always some additional drops of urin up to 3 minutes after the toilet. Not much, but I guess that's a problem when having a damaged skin barrier. The doctor didn't test me on any bacteria or fungus, he just prescribed different sort of ointments with cortisone, but that made it worse: Advantan for some days, then Travocort. I got extreme pain that I almost fainted several times. As the skin looked anyway fine, the doctor sent me to a dermatology clinic. They tested me on fungus and bacteria. Fungus was negative, but they found bacteria: winkia neuii, staphylococcus haemolyticus, and staphylococcus epidermidis. They also said my skin would look good. But it didn't feel like that! Instead of giving me an antibiotic, they prescribed me octenisept. That is a disinfectant. It worked, the pain got less with that, but it destroyed my skin at the corona glans. Besides that they gave me Protopic. That is pretty the same like Elidel, but not as liquid. After the first week of octenisept there formed a blister around the entire glans, so I went to the doctor again. He meant that would be normal. It just takes a bit. The second and last week with octenisept made the skin worse. From there on, I thought the damaged skin just needs to regenerate, as the bacteria were dead. That was in September. They told me to use Bepanthen and/or Deumavan. A week later or so it started to hurt and to get itchy again, so I went again to the doctor. He said that would be normal. I just should go on with Elidel or Protopic. I can decide myself if I use it daily or just if it is necessary. As it comes and goes I decided for the latter. And so I used it all 2-5 days since September. There was always a little progress, but in December I got to a plateau. The blister is still there and all few days it fills up with water-like liquid while it is itchy. I always brought it down with Protopic, then it felt better for some days. But then it started again. At Christmas it got worse again. As all doctors are in Christmas holidays till 7th of January, I decided some days ago to try native bio coconut oil instead of Protopic. Interesting is that this helped more than Protopic. Protopic seems just to act against the symptoms. But the coconut oil seems to be a bit more sustainable. I'm using it the 5th day now, 3 times a day. During the day I let the foredkin retracted, to get rid of rest utine (I read in any forum that this helped some guys). Just during the nights I pull it over the glans to protect it against my bedclothes. I started doing this already some days before I started with coconut oil. And some days later it giot itchy again (before I started with coconut!). The logic tells me now that there are either still bacteria in the game or fungus. Coconut oil is against both, but from what I read I know it helps to relief, but it doesn't cure. So, I'm pretty sure, I need any medication from the doctor. I just fear that he will again just say that everything is okay and I should go on with Protopic. Now I thought, maybe anyone out there has experienced something like that at himself and could give me some tips? Any ointment or cream that helped, which I could ask my doctor? I'm feeling really bad. As I'm naked all the time, I can't leave the house (just when visiting the doctors) and can't receive visitors. I even didn't celebrate Christmas this year with my family. I'm completely down and hope anyone could help with some tips? Thanks a lot! |
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re: Stubborn Balanitis doesn't go away
by Dr B S Bhalla -
Feb 28th, 2025
12:35 pm
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Dr B S Bhalla
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It sounds like you’ve been through a very frustrating and painful journey with your chronic balanitis, and I understand how much this is affecting your life. Since multiple treatments have not given you complete relief, here are some possible next steps and suggestions you can discuss with your doctor: 1. Comprehensive Testing (If Not Done Yet) • Bacterial Culture with Sensitivity Testing: Your previous test found Winkia neuii, Staphylococcus haemolyticus, and Staphylococcus epidermidis. If not already done, ask for antibiotic sensitivity testing to determine the most effective antibiotic. • PCR or Microscopy for STDs: Even if you don’t suspect an STD, it’s worth ruling out atypical infections like Mycoplasma, Ureaplasma, Chlamydia, or Trichomonas. • Fungal Testing: Though your previous test was negative, KOH prep or fungal PCR can detect resistant strains like Candida glabrata. • Biopsy (If Needed): If symptoms persist, consider a skin biopsy to check for lichen sclerosus, plasma cell balanitis, or pemphigus. 2. Addressing Possible Contributing Factors • Urine Retention & Post-Void Dribbling: Since you mentioned urine leaks for a few minutes after urination, this can worsen irritation. ✅ Try double voiding (urinate, wait a moment, then try again) and gentle pressure on the perineum after urinating to reduce residual dribbling. ✅ Prostate exam & urine flow studies may be helpful if dribbling persists. • Foreskin Management: ✅ Keeping the foreskin retracted during the day may help dry out moisture, but be cautious of over-irritation. ✅ Try saline rinses (warm saltwater baths) a few times a day to keep the area clean without harsh disinfectants. ✅ If your symptoms persist and you are uncircumcised, circumcision or preputioplasty may be an option to prevent recurrent infections. 3. Medication Adjustments • Antibiotics (If Needed): Based on sensitivity tests, an oral antibiotic like Doxycycline, Clindamycin, or Ciprofloxacin may be prescribed. Topical Mupirocin or Fucidin can also help for localized bacterial control. • Alternative Antifungal Trial: Since coconut oil helped, it might indicate an undetected fungal component. You could try a stronger antifungal like Clotrimazole or Terbinafine (Lamisil) if your doctor agrees. • Anti-Inflammatory Options: ✅ Instead of Protopic (Tacrolimus) or Elidel (Pimecrolimus), Hydrocortisone 1% or Desonide may be milder options for inflammation without excessive immune suppression. ✅ Zinc Oxide ointment (like Desitin) helps create a barrier without irritating chemicals. 4. Natural Remedies for Support • Saline Baths: Instead of harsh disinfectants, try soaking in warm salt water (1 teaspoon salt per cup of water). • Diluted Apple Cider Vinegar or Boric Acid: May help balance pH and inhibit fungal growth. • Vitamin D & Probiotics: Strengthen immune response and gut microbiome balance. 5. Specialist Consultation (If No Improvement) • Urologist: If symptoms persist, a urodynamic study may evaluate post-void residual urine and prostate health. • Dermatologist (Skin Biopsy if needed): To rule out lichen sclerosus, psoriasis, or autoimmune skin diseases. • Infectious Disease Specialist: If no clear bacterial or fungal infection is found, a broader workup may be needed. 6. Mental Health & Lifestyle Considerations • Being isolated and unable to work due to this condition is understandably distressing. • If possible, speak with a therapist or support group about coping strategies for chronic medical conditions. • Try guided meditation, yoga, or relaxation exercises to reduce stress, which may impact your immune response and healing. Final Thoughts • Since coconut oil partially helped, an antifungal trial + protective barrier creams (like Zinc Oxide) might be your next best step. • You may need a different antibiotic, but only if sensitivity tests confirm it’s required. • If inflammation persists, switching from Protopic to a gentler steroid or a skin barrier cream could be beneficial. • If foreskin issues continue, circumcision or a preputial release procedure might be worth discussing with a urologist. I hope this helps, and I encourage you to push for further testing if your doctor is dismissive. Hang in there! You’re not alone, and there is a solution out there for you. |