What are the main treatments? A doctor can manually retract the foreskin under local or general anaesthesia. You may also be shown how to gradually retract the foreskin after a bath, using petroleum jelly (Vaseline) or some other form of lubrication. But if the problem persists, circumcision may be necessary.
Cover the raw area with a layer of antibiotic ointment (such as Polysporin). If you don't have one, use petroleum jelly (such as Vaseline).
Proper hydration is a good way to ensure that the skin gets enough moisture from within. Using natural moisturizers may also reduce dryness. Coconut oil offers a natural way to reduce skin dryness all over the body, including the penis. People can also use it as a massage oil or natural lubricant.
"The best thing that you can do for a dry groin is to moisturize the area with a bland, emollient ointment like Aquaphor or Cerave Healing Ointment or a product that contains Shea Butter that will help to alleviate chafing, irritation and raw skin," says MH dermatology advisor Corey L.
Start stretching exercises on the foreskin, usually best by pulling the foreskin back until it feels tight (but not painful), and holding it back under tension for 10 minutes – usually after a bath or shower twice a day.
In this conservative (non-surgical) treatment approach, a steroid cream is applied to the tip of the foreskin twice a day over a period of four to eight weeks. The steroid cream makes it easier to stretch the skin. After two weeks, the child or his parents can start trying to gradually stretch the foreskin once a day.
Examples are Bacitracin or Polysporin. You can also use one you have at home. Repeat the cleansing followed by ointment 2 times per day. Keep using the ointment until the foreskin looks normal.
During erection, the foreskin retracts by itself, exposing the entire glans or at least part of it.
Avoid petroleum jelly (for example, Vaseline) as a lubricant. It increases the risk of vaginal irritation and infection. Use a vaginal moisturizer. Moisturizers such as Replens can be used on a regular basis.
Refrigerated petroleum jelly (Vaseline) and cold plain yogurt put on a maxi-pad and placed next to the vulva can be soothing. Petroleum jelly is a wonderful moisturizer to use on the vulva after bathing and can be used anytime for comfort.
Gently wash your penis each day. Carefully pull back and clean underneath the foreskin, as well as the tip of your penis (the glans) using only water and a very gentle soap. Don't scrub this sensitive area. It is fine to use soap, but using too much could irritate your penis.
Phimosis is normal for the uncircumcised infant/child and usually resolves around 5-7 years of age, however the child may be older.
Conditions that may affect the foreskin include: Inflammation – sore and red foreskin. Common causes include forced retraction, irritants such as bubble baths or dirty nappies. Infection – the most common include posthitis and balanitis.
Based on state of the foreskin, phimosis is categorised in order of increasing severity as normal, “cracking,” scarred, and balanitis xerotica obliterans [33, 34].
Eventually, the foreskin should be retracted far enough during urination to see the meatus (the hole where the urine comes from). This prevents urine from building up beneath the foreskin and possibly causing an infection. As long as the foreskin doesn't easily retract, only the outside needs to be cleaned.
Phimosis makes sexual intercourse uncomfortable, but does not interfere with a man's fertility. Therefore a man can definitely make a woman pregnant despite having phimosis.
When Should You Not Use Petroleum Jelly? Dermatologists suggest avoiding the use of vaseline or petroleum jelly when you have acne-prone, oily or combination skin. This is because it can clog the pores and leave your skin heavy and greasy.
People with acne or sensitive skin should avoid using petroleum jelly on acne-prone areas, such as the face. It is flammable, so people should avoid using it near fires, when smoking, or near other open flames.
Though saliva may always be available to you, it shouldn't be used as a lubricant during sexual activity. It's possible for STIs, such as herpes or syphilis, to be transmitted through saliva, and saliva can lead to vaginal infections or irritation.
The foreskin should be able to retract readily at all points in life after infancy. It should be able to retract to allow for full erections. Unfortunately, there are no exercises I can recommend to help with this. There is a steroid cream that can be very helpful to relax the tissue and allow for better retraction.