Symptoms of BXO
BXO on examination, the top of the foreskin is quite tight and cannot be retracted. Generally, the issues can look quite variable. Occasionally the skin over the top of the penis will be very white and shiny. Sometimes the skin can become quite inflamed or on some occasions it can be quite thin and very pale or alternatively quite thick. It is important to seek medical advice if there are any concerns as it will need to be treated.
The symptoms of BXO can appear as:
Since the symptoms of BXO can be so variable, it is important to see a doctor if you notice anything unusual about the penis or your son complains of pain or problems when urinating. BXO is generally diagnosed on clinical examination and the tissue is normally sent for histology if the child is circumcised to confirm this.
Causes of BXO
In reality, the cause for this condition is unclear. It generally affects men who are uncircumcised. It is extremely rare in those young boys who have been circumcised in the neonatal period. There is no evidence of any infection and no particular cause has ever been detected.
Although we don’t fully understand the causes of BXO, some scientists believe that it could be associated with other types of autoimmune conditions such as vitiligo. Autoimmune disorders cause inflammation because the immune system mistakenly starts to attack the body’s own tissues. We don’t know why this happens and it isn’t yet possible to predict who will be affected. However, we do know that boys who have autoimmune disorders or atopic conditions such as eczema, hay fever or asthma are more likely to develop balanitis xerotica obliterans.
You may hear the term lichen sclerosis used to refer to your son’s condition. Lichen sclerosis is a chronic inflammatory condition that can affect the skin in different parts of the body. When it affects the male genitalia, it is known as balanitis xerotica obliterans or BXO.
Lichen sclerosis is not an infection so there is no risk that it will spread to other people. The condition is chronic and progressive, which means that it is a long term condition that will gradually get worse if it is left untreated. Lichen sclerosis causes inflammation that can make the penis sore and red. The opening of the urethra may become narrowed or blocked and an ulcer can eventually form. The skin of the glans and foreskin can be permanently changed or scarred.
Treatments of BXO
At this moment in time we recommend circumcision to be performed. There is some debate that foreskins can be left intact with injection of steroids or the use of topical steroids. This has currently not been proven and due to the ongoing risks associated with this condition, we would recommend a formal circumcision to ensure this is BXO through histology and guarantee the situation has treated properly. Since BXO is a progressive and painful condition, it is usually best to tackle it swiftly with surgery rather than to wait to see if other, less reliable treatments might help.
Circumcision is the main component of balanitis xerotica obliterans treatment, but it is also vital to follow the post-surgical treatment plan to reduce the risk of further problems. Medication can prevent the urethra from becoming narrower after the operation. In some cases, further surgery may be required to ensure that the urethra is able to function properly.
BXO Post-Surgery
We prescribe a small amount chloramphenicol cream to be used for a number of days to allow the tissues to settle down. At around 5 days after surgery, a course of hydrocortisone cream is used twice a day for 6 weeks to stop the meatus from narrowing. It is our experience that this may help make a significant difference to the insistence of meatal stenosis in this population. Your child will then attend a follow-up review to ensure that their opening is nice and wide and they are voiding without any difficulties.
BXO if left for the long term can be extremely severe and cause a huge amount of pain. Prolonged BXO can also allow the opening of the penis to narrow and this can require the need for further surgery and dilatation. There is also an association with penile cancer in later life if undiagnosed.
Balanitis xerotica obliterans surgery is usually very effective, especially when circumcision is combined with post-operative medication. However, there is a small chance that the remaining skin will still be affected by lichen sclerosis.
Balanitis Xerotica Obliterans FAQs
Balanitis xerotica obliterans is a chronic inflammatory process of the foreskin and is also known as lichen sclerosis. Inflammation occurs when the immune system is active. It can result in redness, swelling, pain and other symptoms.
In reality, the cause for this condition is unclear. It generally affects men who are uncircumcised. It is extremely rare in those young boys who have been circumcised in the neonatal period. There is no evidence of any infection and no particular cause has ever been detected
03.What is lichen sclerosis?
Lichen sclerosis is a chronic inflammatory condition. When it affects the skin on the penis, it is known as balanitis xerotica obliterans. Lichen sclerosis can affect other parts of the skin too. It can appear as whitish patches but it doesn’t usually cause much discomfort unless it is affecting the penis.
Generally young men complain of discomfort. Sometimes the penis is sore and burning. The foreskin becomes tighter and tighter and is unretractable. It can consist of bleeding and occasionally there can be small tears visible at the top of the foreskin. Young men can find that their ability to void slows gradually over time.
BXO on examination, the top of the foreskin is quite tight and cannot be retracted. Generally, the issues can look quite variable. Occasionally the skin over the top of the penis will be very white and shiny. Sometimes the skin can become quite inflamed or on some occasions it can be quite thin and very pale or even quite thick. It is important to seek medical advice if there are any concerns as it will need to be treated.
Balanitis xerotica obliterans isn’t a very common condition. It affects less than 5% of men and boys. The condition is slightly more common in boys who have autoimmune disorders or atopic conditions such as asthma and eczema, but it still only affects a small proportion of these boys.
If your son has symptoms of BXO then it is important to see a doctor as the condition can get worse if it is left untreated. Surgery can relieve the discomfort and prevent the urethra from becoming any narrower so it is usually the best option for treatment
BXO is generally diagnosed on clinical examination and the tissue is normally sent for histology if the child is circumcised to confirm this. It is important to be sure that the symptoms were caused by BXO as the problem could come back if there is another issue that needs to be addressed.
At this moment in time we recommend circumcision to be performed. There is some debate that foreskins can be left intact with injection of steroids or the use of topical steroids. This has currently not been proven and due to the ongoing risks associated with this condition, we would recommend a formal circumcision to ensure this is BXO through histology and guarantee the situation has treated properly.
We prescribe a small amount chloramphenicol cream to be used for a number of days to allow the tissues to settle down. At around 5 days after surgery, a course of hydrocortisone cream is used twice a day for 6 weeks to stop the meatus from narrowing. It is our experience that this may help make a significant difference to the insistence of meatal stenosis in this population. Your child will then attend a follow-up review to ensure that their opening is nice and wide and they are voiding without any difficulties.
Circumcision is usually enough to relieve the symptoms of balanitis xerotica obliterans when it is performed together with post-operative hydrocortisone treatment. However, if the condition has progressed too far before the circumcision, further procedures may be required to open up the urethra so that urine can flow out freely.
Surgery is an essential part of balanitis xerotica obliterans treatment, but there are also some things you can do to relieve the symptoms. The most important thing your can do is to ensure that the glans and foreskin are kept as clean and dry as possible. The penis should be washed with lukewarm water and then dried carefully. Avoid using soap or other products that could cause more irritation. It is also important to ensure the penis is dried properly after urination. In addition to ensuring good personal hygiene, you can also help by following the doctor’s instructions after the operation and attending the follow up appointments.
If you have any questions or problems either before or after the surgery, please do not hesitate to contact Nasra Ahmed, Complex Surgical/Pain Lead Nurse, on 020 7580 4400, 10838 (09:00 – 17:00 Monday to Friday) or email at: [email protected]
