What defines Peyronie's disease?

Peyronie's disease is characterized by the development of fibrous plaques in the tunica albuginea, which is the tough sheath of tissue surrounding the erectile tissue of the penis. This condition often leads to curvature of the penis during erections, resulting in pain and difficulty during sexual intercourse. The fibrous plaques can cause the tunica albuginea to become thickened and inelastic, leading to the characteristic deformity.

The other options describe different medical conditions unrelated to Peyronie's disease. Inflammation of the foreskin refers to a condition called balanitis or posthitis, acute infections of the glans pertain to glansitis, and chronic allergic reactions could refer to various dermatological conditions that do not specifically connect to the structural changes of the penis seen in Peyronie's disease. Understanding these distinctions is important for accurate diagnosis and treatment in urological health.