title: Clinical study of the effectiveness of the "water of the 3 sulfates" on balanitis and balanoposthitis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Despite scientific literature mentions the application of "water of the 3 sulfates" (copper sulphate, zinc sulphate and alum) as a treatment for acute balanitis and balanoposthitis, no clinical trials evaluating its efficacy have been found. In our study we evaluate the efficacy of this solution in acute balanitis and balanoposthitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  A double-blind randomized study was designed to compare the efficacy of "water of the 3 sulfates" (intervention) with saline solution (control) in 50 patients (30 patients and 20 patients, respectively) who suffer from acute balanitis or balanoposthitis. Exudate, erythema, oedema, burning, and itching were the clinical parameters assessed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  for all clinical parameters assessed, the outcomes obtained with "water of the 3 sulfates" are higher than control, although significant differences only have been found for exudate.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  in our study, the "water of the 3 sulfates" is significantly more effective than saline solution for removing exudates in acute balanitis and balanoposthitis. Tolerability was excellent in both treatments.
authors.affiliation: Servei d'Urología Hospital Lluis Alcanyís de Xàtiva, Xàtiva, España. Electronic address: gonzalvoperez@gmail.com.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Gonzalvo
authors.affiliation: Servei d'Urología Hospital Lluis Alcanyís de Xàtiva, Xàtiva, España.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Polo
authors.affiliation: Servei d'Urología, Hospital Universitari Sagrat Cor, Barcelona, España.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Serrallach
authors.affiliation: Servei d'Urología, Hospital Universitari Sagrat Cor, Barcelona, España.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gutiérrez
authors.affiliation: Clinica Urológica Dr. Peyri, Barcelona, España.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Peyri
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000368:Aged; D000534:Alum Compounds / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001446:Balanitis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D019327:Copper Sulfate / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005122:Exudates and Transudates; D052816:Foreskin; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D012996:Solutions / Q000627:therapeutic use; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation; D019287:Zinc Sulfate / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000534:Alum Compounds; D012996:Solutions; C041524:aluminum sulfate; D012965:Sodium Chloride; D019287:Zinc Sulfate; D019327:Copper Sulfate
keywords: Balanitis; Balanoposthitis; Balanopostitis; Copper sulphate; Potassium aluminium sulphate.; Sulfato alumínico-potásico; Sulfato de cinc; Zinc sulphate; «Agua de 3 sulfatos» ;Sulfato de cobre; “water of the 3 sulfates”