What is Phimosis?

The skin on your foreskin becomes too tight that it’s impossible to retract it or pull it back. This can happen to babies or young boys who haven’t been circumcised, but it usually goes away on its own by age 3.

There are two kinds: pathological and physiological. Physiological phimosis isn’t treated, but pathological phimosis does.

The signs

The phimosis affects foreskin that covers the penis’s head. It can cause pain or swelling when you urinate. It can also lead to urinary tract infections in adults and disrupt healthy erections.

Most children develop phimosis during natural development. It usually disappears between 5-7 years of age, but some boys may require longer.

There are two kinds of phimosis, physiologic and pathologic. The physiologic type is typical for uncircumcised males and is caused by separation of the foreskin from the prepuce or penis that happens naturally over time.

In pathologic phimosis the foreskin is not able to separate from the prepuce. This is caused by inflammation or scarring. It is more frequent in older men and may be an indication of balanitis or other skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, or lichen planus.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of phimosis is determined by an exhaustive physical exam and medical history. If the doctor suspects that there is an infection, they’ll take an swab of the skin and may also request urine tests and blood test to check for bacteria.

The symptoms of phimosis are typically mild in children, and will disappear when they reach a few years of age. However should the foreskin become extended and the head of the penis is stuck in this position (paraphimosis) it can be painful and cause complications.

Pathologic phimosis is a rare condition, but can happen in children or adults who have skin conditions that affect the foreskin or the glans. These include psoriasis, eczema, lichen planus and lichen sclerosis.

The condition is more common in men who are not circumcised and can be treated with daily gentle manual retraction. Smegma, a collection of skin cells, aids in the separation of the foreskin and the penis’ head when retraction is performed.

Treatment

There are a myriad of treatment options for phimosis. These include topical steroid creams and circumcision, which involves the removal of the foreskin (circumcision).

In most instances, phimosis will clear up on its own in children, when their foreskin loosens up and can be retracted. However it is important to seek out a doctor if a child suffers from phimosis that does not clear up, or if they experience other issues with hygiene or urination it is recommended that they see a doctor.

The doctor will examine your son to determine the cause of phimosis. The doctor will then prescribe the right treatment. If the cause was a bacterial issue, your doctor may prescribe antifungal creams or antibiotics.

In certain older males and males the phimosis won’t be able to heal on its own and corrective surgery (circumcision) is needed. Circumcision also reduces the risk of phimosis recurring in the future. It is essential to keep the surgical wound clean and dry.

Prevention

To avoid phimosis, should practice good hygiene. This includes keeping the skin under the reddit Foreskin (https://twitter.com/) clear of infections and clean. Gentlely washing the foreskin and penis using warm water on a regular basis can help prevent problems.

Physicologic phimosis can be treated effectively with topical steroid creams like 1- 2.5 percent hydrocortisone ointment. Treatment usually lasts about 3-6 weeks.

If the problem continues to persist, a surgical procedure called circumcision could be necessary. The surgery can either be a full or partial procedure, or a combination of both.

Circumcision is typically performed on children, however it can also be recommended for older males or men who have a phimosis that isn’t improving. It’s usually a last resort, but it can also lead to dangerous complications, so it is important to think about the risks before deciding whether or not to have this surgery. Before making a final decision it’s best to speak with your doctor about the pros and cons of circumcision. It is essential to be screened for phimosis regularly, irrespective of age.