Balanitis circinata
A balanitis circinata provides an inflammatory disease of the glans and supersedes mostly as one of several symptoms in a reactive arthritis on. In rare cases, however, this can be the only symptom.
Symptoms and Distribution
At the beginning, pin-sized points covered with plaque form on the foreskin or glans , which grow increasingly red in the surface and are strongly delimited from healthy areas of the skin with plaque towards the edge. If left untreated, these spots can grow together and cover the entire glans or foreskin.
Contrary to their appearance, these spots are usually completely without further symptoms and odorless. Only occasional itching or burning sensations are reported.
If Balanitis Circinata is the only symptom of Reiter's disease, it can also be misdiagnosed as a fungal disease due to its great similarity . However, since it is a rheumatic disease, it can not be transmitted to a partner through sexual intercourse.
therapy
Since Balanitis Circinata mostly occurs in the context of reactive arthritis , the usual tests should be carried out by the treating dermatologist. A previous chlamydial or gonococcal infection in connection with the gene marker HLA-B27 is usually suspected as the trigger of reactive arthritis - and thus of balanitis circinata - which is why a test for these sexually transmitted diseases and gene markers is necessary to establish the diagnosis.
Newer therapeutic approaches use ointments with the active ingredient pimecrolimus or tacrolimus for purposes other than their intended purpose, whereby here as a rule only an alleviation or complete healing of the symptoms takes place, but - as with many rheumatic diseases - no permanent healing of the underlying disease can be achieved. If treatment with the ointments is discontinued, the first symptoms will reappear relatively quickly (3–4 days).
In some cases it is reported that the inflammation heals on its own after 10-15 years, but in most cases remains a lifelong companion.
Individual evidence
- ↑ Peter Altmeyer: Balanitis parakeratotica circinata N48.1. Altmeyer's Encyclopedia, October 23, 2017, accessed February 22, 2019 .
- ↑ Sumir Kumar, Bharat Bhushan Mahajan, Ravinder Singh Ahluwalia, Amarbir Singh Boparai: Reiter's disease: Circinate balanitis as alone preceding presentation - Successfully treated with pimecrolimus 1% cream . June 1, 2015 PMC 4555904 (free full text)