When the foreskin around the penis's edge (called the glans) is too tight, it can't be retracted. This is usually a issue for boys who are not circumcised and the majority will be able to overcome it at the age of 3.

A tight foreskin can interfere with your ability to properly pass urine, and lead to infection. It can also make it difficult to have sexual contact. The treatment for phimosis includes regular hygiene, such as washing and drying your penis after urinating, and applying topical creams and ointments.

Signs and symptoms

Phimosis is an inability to retract the foreskin above the glans penis, which may be inherited or physiologic. It can also be due to the scarring of inflammation or infection.

If you notice that your child's foreskin has a soreness or swelling, or if there is blood or a thick discharge under the skin or if it smells foul it is recommended to consult an expert. If phimosis isn't treated it could lead to other conditions such as paraphimosis (when the cracked foreskin treatment [twitter.com] becomes stuck behind the penis's head, causing circulation to get cut off) or infection.

Physiologic Phimosis is a self-limiting disorder. It is cured when the foreskin becomes retractile. It typically occurs in boys aged between 2 and 4 years old and is often caused by balanitis, xerotica, and obliterans or BXO, an inflammatory skin condition that is that is histologically similar to lichensclerosis. The treatment typically consists of steroid cream and gentle manual retraction.

Diagnosis

Phimosis is a narrowing of the foreskin that prevents it from being retracted over the top (glans) of your penis. This narrowing is usually caused by normal adhesions that slowly resolve themselves, but scarring could cause phimosis if it persists in its narrowing.

The diagnosis of phimosis is usually given by your healthcare professional during a physical examination. They can also request tests, such as a swab-culture and urine or penis-discharge test, to determine the root of the problem.

In infants and toddlers, phimosis is often harmless, and it usually improves naturally as your child gets older. However, if it causes symptoms, it is recommended to take your child to visit their GP. They may be able to suggest a treatment. Phimosis may be caused by a skin condition, infection or other factors. If this is the case, you could have to bring your child to hospital to receive treatment. They could be directed to a urologist which is a doctor who specializes in treating sexually transmitted infections.

Treatment

The condition is usually treated using an application of a topical steroid cream. If this isn't working an operation to remove the skin may be needed.

The foreskin should be loose between the age of two and six, when it covers the tip of the penis to stop germs from getting in. If it isn't loosening or becomes too tight, then phimosis may be required.

In most cases, phimosis should go away by itself. If it causes pain or difficulty in urinating (peeing), then it is possible that a doctor will suggest treatment.

When the foreskin gets pulled back behind the head of penis in order to prevent it from being pushed into its normal position, covering the tip of penis, paraphimosis can occur. This can result in swelling, pain, and loss of blood flow to the penis' tip.

The following is a list with preventions.

Phimosis affects many babies and toddlers. It usually decreases as time passes and penile growth, and by age three or four, most boys have a foreskin that can be retracted.

However, the tightness of the foreskin can hinder the normal function of the penile and hygiene, causing irritation of the skin and inflammation, as well as scarring. In severe cases of phimosis, infections may occur in both the glans as well as the foreskin. This is called balanitis.

In extreme cases, surgery may be necessary. In less severe cases, nonsurgical treatment such as topical steroids and gentle daily retraction could be effective.

However the most effective way to prevent phimosis is to maintain a healthy hygiene. When bathing or urinating you can gently pull back the foreskin after cleaning the genital region. This will help keep the foreskin free and free of adhesions. This can help to prevent the formation and other complications associated with scar tissue.