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Posthitis Treatment - Infection Types, Medicines & Surgery

Struggling with symptoms such as pain, tenderness, itching or foul smelling discharge from the foreskin? It may be an indication for posthitis. Contact us at Pristyn Care and book a FREE consultation with our team of experienced urologists for effective posthitis treatment. We provide the most top-notch surgical treatment to help you with posthitis at the most economical cost.

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What is Posthitis?

Posthitis or foreskin infection is a condition of the penis that is characterized by inflammation of the foreskin (a retractable fold of skin that covers the head of the penis).

Posthitis can be caused due to a wide variety of reasons. While infections such as bacterial infections, fungal infections and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI’s) are considered to be some of the most common posthitis causes, it can also be caused due to poor hygiene.

Posthitis can also occur alongside balanitis, a condition of the penis that is characterized by pain and inflammation of the penile glans)

Posthitis is not a sexually transmitted infection and is generally not considered to be a serious problem either. Infact, most cases of posthitis can be treated with non-surgical treatments such as antibiotics, antifungal creams or simple changes in lifestyle. However, more severe or recurrent cases of this condition may require more invasive methods of posthitis treatment such as circumcision.

• Disease name

पोस्टहाइटिस

• Surgery name

Circumcision - Foreskin Removal Surgery

• Duration

15-30 minutes

• Treated by

General Surgeon

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Types of Posthitis Infection

Posthitis is generally categorized based on the potential posthitis causes. There are primarily three types of posthitis:

Fungal Infection: A fungal infection is one of the most common posthitis causes. Sometimes referred to as candidal posthitis, this type of foreskin infection generally occurs due to overgrowth of candida fungi either on or under the foreskin.
Bacterial Infection: Excessive accumulation of bacteria either under or on the foreskin can cause posthitis as well.
Sexually Transmitted Infection: Sexually Transmitted Infections or STIs such as gonorrhea or trichomoniasis can also cause posthitis.

Diagnosis of Posthitis

Tests and diagnostics

Prior to posthitis treatment, your urologist will likely perform a series of simple tests and diagnostics to assess your overall health. These tests will also help your urologist uncover any underlying medical conditions you may have that would require additional precautions either during or after surgery.

In most cases, posthitis can be easily identified by your urologist with a simple, routine physical examination. But, to better understand your condition or find out to the reason behind your posthitis, your urologist may also perform some additional tests such as:

Skin test: A skin test will help your urologist identify any bacteria or viruses under your foreskin. In a skin test, your urologist will simply rub a cotton swab over your foreskin. The swab will then be sent to a laboratory for further analysis.
Urethral discharge swab: A urethral discharge swab test is another test that your urologist may perform to check for signs of bacteria and viruses. In this test, your urologist will insert a small cotton swab (about 2 cm) into your urethral opening and gently rotate it. The sample accumulated on the swab will then be sent to a laboratory for analysis.
Urinalysis: A urinalysis test is performed to analyze the visual, chemical and microscopic aspects of your urine. In a urinalysis test, your urologist will ask you to urinate into a special cup. This cup will then be sent to a laboratory for further analysis.

Food and medications

Your urologist may also ask you to avoid eating or drinking anything for at least 12 hours leading up to posthitis treatment. It is also advisable to inform your urologist about any pre-existing medications you may have.

You can likely continue to take them as prescribed but your urologist may instruct you to temporarily stop from taking certain medications that could increase the risk of any complication significantly.

Surgical Option to Cure Posthitis

While posthitis can be treated through non-surgical options such as antifungal creams or antibiotics, severe or recurrent cases may require more invasive alternatives.

Circumcision surgery is generally considered to be a safe and effective treatment for posthitis. Circumcision is a surgical procedure that involves removal of the foreskin. There are primarily three types of circumcision surgery:

Laser circumcision

Laser circumcision is an advanced and minimally invasive surgical procedure that is performed as an effective treatment for posthitis. A laser circumcision uses a highly focused beam of laser to make incisions along a predetermined incision line.

Due to its advanced and precise nature, a laser circumcision surgery does not carry any risk of deep cuts or excessive bleeding. Alongside, its high operating temperature ensures better healing as well. Laser circumcision is generally performed on an outpatient basis and recovery can take anywhere from 7-10 days at most.

Stapler circumcision

Compared to laser circumcision, stapler circumcision is a slightly more invasive procedure but with equally good results. Stapler circumcision is a surgical procedure that is performed to cut and remove the foreskin using a stapler device (an advanced and disposable surgical tool that is specially designed to remove the foreskin).

This stapler device fits snugly over the head of the penis and once fired, cuts the foreskin in a quick manner while closing the incision wound with a silicone ring.

This silicone ring not only minimizes any bleeding that may occur but also promotes faster healing. Once your incision wound has healed, which generally takes 7-14 days, the silicone ring will fall off on its own.

Open circumcision

Open circumcision is a conventional and a more invasive method of circumcision that is performed using scalpel or surgical scissors.

In an open circumcision, the urologist makes an incision along the upper length of the foreskin from the tip of the corona to expose the penile glans.

Compared to laser and stapler circumcision, the incision wound in an open circumcision takes longer to heal and due to its invasive nature, carries an increased risk of complications, such as excessive bleeding and infection.

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Benefits of Circumcision Surgery

Besides its capability to effectively treat posthitis, circumcision surgery can also provide various additional benefits to a person’s overall health. Some benefits that are commonly associated with circumcision surgery are given below:

Better hygiene: As the foreskin is removed, it becomes much easier to maintain good hygiene. It is important to regularly wash your penis with a mild soap and make sure there isn’t any excessive accumulation of microbes, bacteria or smegma on the head of the penis. Maintaining good genital hygiene also minimizes your chances of future penile infections such as balanitis or balanoposthitis.
Decreased risk of urinary tract infection: Urinary Tract Infection or UTI is an infection that can occur in the urinary system. This usually happens when bacteria, often from the foreskin, enters the urethra. As the foreskin is removed, it becomes much easier to wash off any bacteria that may have accumulated under the foreskin. As a result, UTIs are found to be less common among circumcised adults as compared to uncircumcised adults.
Treatment and prevention of foreskin related issues: A circumcision surgery is generally considered to be an effective solution for various foreskin related problems including posthitis. Some of the most common foreskin related problems that can occur in adult males include phimosis, paraphimosis, balanitis and balanoposthitis.
Decreased risk of sexually transmitted infections: Sexually Transmitted Infection of STI are bacteria or viruses that can transmit through sexual contact. Compared to uncircumcised men, circumcised are found to be at a decreased risk of contracting STIs. However, such protection is considered to be modest and proper use of protection during intercourse remains essential.
Reduced risk of penile cancer: While penile cancer itself is rare, it is found to be even more uncommon amongst circumcised adults.

Recovery After Posthitis Treatment

Recovery after posthitis treatment generally takes anywhere from 7-10 days after surgery and most patients are able to return to their daily routine in just 2-3 days.

However, different patients have different healing capacities and depending on various factors such as your overall health, method of surgery and quality of postoperative care, the recovery duration may vary.

In this time period, your urologist may also prescribe you some medications and ointments to help you with pain management and aid the recovery process.

Alongside, your urologist may also instruct you to take certain precautions and follow simple guidelines to minimize chances of any postoperative complications as much as possible.

Some precautions and guidelines that your urologist may suggest are given below:

Keep the surgical site clean and dry for the first 48 hours after surgery.
Wear comfortable and supportive underwear that can hold the head of the penis towards the belly button lying flat.
Avoid swimming pools or public bathrooms for at least 4 weeks after surgery.
Refrain from sexual intercourse for at least 6 weeks after surgery or until your urologist thinks it’s safe to do so.
While it is encouraged to perform light exercises such as walking, avoid any strenuous exercises that may exert excessive pressure on the incision wound.
Avoid smoking or consuming alcohol for at least 48 hours after surgery. Doing so can slow down the recovery.
Stay hydrated. Drink at least 7-8 glasses of water everyday.
Do not miss any postoperative consultations. If you are facing any persistent side-effects that worsen overtime, it is advised to inform your urologist about them as soon as possible.

Cost of Posthitis Surgery

On average, the cost of a circumcision surgery in India can range anywhere from Rs. 26,000 to Rs. 35,000. However, the exact cost of surgery is likely to vary depending on various factors.

Some factors that may affect the exact cost of your circumcision surgery are hospital charges, method of surgery, cost of preoperative tests and diagnostics, city you undergo surgery and cost of postoperative follow-ups and medications.

Non-Surgical Options to Treat Posthitis

Posthitis can usually be treated with non-surgical alternatives such as antifungal creams and antibiotic medications. Some non-surgical options that your urologist may prescribe as effective posthitis treatment include:

Antibiotic Medicines to Cure Posthitis

Posthitis caused by bacteria, viral or sexually transmitted infections can generally be treated with antibiotic medications. The type of antibiotic best suited for effective posthitis treatment highly depends on the reason behind your condition.

Before taking any medications, it is also advised to consult your healthcare provider first. Some antibiotics that your urologist may recommend to treat posthitis include:

Amoxicillin
Amoxicillin-clavulanate
Doxycycline
Clarithromycin
Erythromycin
Vibramycin
Sumycin

Antifungal Ointment Creams to Treat Posthitis

If your posthitis is caused by a fungal infection, sometimes referred to as candidal posthitis, your urologist may prescribe you some antifungal creams to treat the infection.

Some of the most common antifungal creams that are usually prescribed for posthitis treatment include:

Lotrimin
Spectazole
Neosporin AF
Exelderm
0.05% fluticasone propionate
2.0% sertaconazole nitrate
Gladic
Glafine

Home Remedies for Posthitis

Some home remedies that your healthcare provider may recommend to relieve or manage some posthitis symptoms you may be experiencing are given below:

Tea tree oil: Tea tree oil is a commonly recommended home remedy that can help you relieve symptoms of posthitis. Alongside its antibacterial and antiprotozoal properties, tea tree oil has several antifungal benefits as well. Due to this reason, tea tree oil is considered to be especially effective against candidal posthitis symptoms.
Yogurt: Adding yogurt into your daily diet can also help you manage some posthitis symptoms. Yogurt is a natural probiotic and promotes positive bacteria growth to combat infections such as candida and thrush.
Garlic: Due to its antibacterial and antifungal properties, adding garlic into your diet can help you significantly in managing some of the posthitis symptoms you may be facing.
Apple cider vinegar: Apple cider vinegar is generally considered to have good antifungal properties. Applying some diluted apple cider vinegar on the infected area can help you relieve some symptoms related to fungal balanitis.

Good Hygiene Practices that can Help in Getting Rid of Posthitis

Alongside some non-surgical options for posthitis treatment such as antifungal creams and antibiotics, maintaining good hygiene and following good hygiene practices can not only effectively treat posthitis but also minimize its chances of recurring in the future.

Some hygiene practices that your urologist may advise you to follow are given below:

Make sure to wash and clean your penis on a daily basis. Maintaining good genital hygiene can not be an effective posthitis treatment but also minimize chances of any other infection.
Avoid use of any harsh soap to clean the penis. Harsh soaps or chemicals can cause irritation in the skin of the penis.
You can also rely on using an emollient that is easily available. A good quality emollient can not only protect but also moisturize the penile skin.

Common FAQs Around Posthitis

Is Posthitis a STD?

No, posthitis itself is not an STD. However, an STD may be the reason behind it. If you are struggling with posthitis symptoms that include pain, redness, swelling and discolouration of the foreskin, it is advisable to contact your healthcare provider immediately.

Is posthitis dangerous to life?

Posthitis is not contagious and is generally not considered to be life-threatening either. It is possible for posthitis to resolve on its own in a week. However, if it does not go away on its own, you may require medical or surgical treatment.

What are some of the most common causes of posthitis?

The most common posthitis causes include:

Phimosis
Poor hygiene
Bacterial infection
Fungal infection
Sexually transmitted infection
Eczema
Psoriasis

Can posthitis cure itself?

It is not uncommon for posthitis to resolve on its own in just a week. Simple lifestyle changes such as maintaining a good genital hygiene can also help you treat posthitis without any surgical or medical intervention.

Though, if the symptoms seem to persist or worsen over time, it is advised to contact your healthcare provider.

How to treat child posthitis?

Posthitis treatment in children typically involves gentle cleansing of the affected area, maintaining good hygiene, and applying topical creams or ointments as prescribed by a healthcare professional. Severe or recurring cases may require further medical evaluation or circumcision.