What Is Phimosis
An uncircumcised penis is covered by a ring of tissue called the foreskin. This tissue is usually loose and is able to slide over the penis to cover and uncover the glans (head of the penis). If the foreskin is too tight, it can close causing phimosis. If scar tissue forms over the glans, the foreskin will be unable to retract. In some boys the foreskin will retract partially and in severe phimosis the foreskin is unable to attract at all.
Many young boys are unable to attract the foreskin fully. This is called physiologic phimosis and is normal. Because of this, I do not recommend that parents forcefully retract the foreskin until puberty. By age 6 or 7 most boys are able to gently retract to clean and urinate. However if the child is having pain, decreased ability to void, or ballooning of the foreskin with urination, treatment may be necessary.
Many young boys are unable to attract the foreskin fully. This is called physiologic phimosis and is normal
What does phimosis look like?
- Inability to visualize the glans
- Painful erections
- Repeated urinary infections
- Inflammation of the head of the penis (balanitis)
- Difficulty urinating, ballooning of the foreskin with urination or abnormal flow of urine
Good skin hygiene and avoiding forceful retraction of the foreskin can prevent phimosis.
Prevention of phimosis
Good skin hygiene and avoiding forceful retraction of the foreskin can prevent phimosis.
What is phimosis treatment
Phimosis is easily treatable. It rarely requires surgery.
Applying topical steroids to the foreskin twice a day for 4 to 6 weeks often allows the foreskin to be retracted.
Phimosis cream
Topical steroids
Applying topical steroids to the foreskin twice a day for 4 to 6 weeks often allows the foreskin to be retracted. However, some boys have recurrence of phimosis when the steroid cream is stopped.
Circumcision
If the foreskin cannot be retracted despite use of topical steroids your physician may recommend circumcision. This is rarely required.
If you think your child has phimosis please see your doctor.
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