Although there are many causes of a red male organ – including totally benign ones such as too much friction – when the red member presents with balanitis, a man needs to take some appropriate male organ health steps. Balanitis is a common issue for some men – and it may be more common for men who have diabetes.

Balanitis

What exactly is balanitis? It is defined as a condition in which the male organ becomes inflamed, usually on the glans (or “head”) of the manhood. The name is derived from a Greek word which means acorn, a reference to the vaguely acorn shape of the glans. Any man can have balanitis, but it tends to be more prevalent in men who are intact.

Although the exact number of men who have or have had balanitis is unknown, studies indicate that between 3% and 11% of men in the United States have experienced it. Children and adolescents tend to be more susceptible to balanitis, but many adult men deal with it as well.

What causes it?

Balanitis is an inflammation, which means that some sort of infection – usually bacterial or yeast-based – is present. This is more likely to occur due to improper hygiene; a man does not clean sufficiently in the area and an infection develops. It can sometimes be difficult to clean beneath the prepuce, which is why balanitis may be more likely to occur in an intact man.

In other cases, using too strong a cleanser can be the inciting cause of balanitis. Soap with very harsh chemicals or fragrances may irritate the skin, bringing about the inflammation.

Diabetes

But diabetes can also be a contributing factor in the development of balanitis. Some sources even suggest that diabetes is the main cause of balanitis in adult males. Since diabetes is an increasingly common issue, especially as men get older, it is important to understand the connection between diabetes and balanitis.

As most people know, diabetes is a condition in which the body is unable to properly regulate the amount of sugar in the blood (also called the glucose level). Blood sugar is the key to a person’s energy level and plays a big role in developing and maintaining muscles and tissues. When those levels are too low or too high, it can cause significant problems.

What does diabetes have to do with balanitis? It usually occurs when blood sugar levels are too high. Some of that excess sugar gets into the urine. When a man urinates, some residue often remains on the glans or slips down beneath the prepuce. If the urine is full of sugar, the drops that get waylaid on the manhood will deposit that sugar when the urine evaporates. The presence of that sugar causes the inflammation, and a red male organ results.

A man with diabetes needs to follow his prescribed course of treatment to properly monitor and maintain his blood glucose levels. He also needs to take appropriate steps to insure that his member – especially the glans and prepuce – is kept well-washed and free of bacteria or other contaminants.

A healthy habit

A man with diabetes who wants to avoid balanitis and the resulting red male organ should maintain his male organ health by regular use of a first-rate male organ health crème (health professionals recommend Man1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven mild and safe for skin). The itchiness and rashiness associated with balanitis responds well to a crème that has potent moisturizers, including Shea butter and vitamin E. Balanitis may also contribute to member odor issues, so a crème with vitamin A is recommended; the antibacterial properties of this vitamin go a long way toward suppressing unwanted stench emanating from the manhood. Whether a man has diabetes or not, use of a male organ health crème is advised.

Visit http://www.menshealthfirst.com for additional information on most common male organ health issues, tips on improving member sensitivity and what to do to maintain a healthy manhood. John Dugan is a professional writer who specializes in men's health issues and is an ongoing contributing writer to numerous websites.