Treating the foreskin with steroid cream 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.
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.
You can use your fingers to stretch the foreskin, that is if your fingers can fit inside the foreskin. Place your fingers back to back on either side of the foreskin, gently stretch the skin by pulling in opposite directions, then relax and repeat. Your fingers must be clean while doing these stretching exercises.
Treatments for a tight foreskin
If your or your child's foreskin is causing problems, treatments include: steroid creams or gels (topical steroids) to help soften the foreskin. antibiotics if the foreskin or head of the penis is infected.
Steroid creams for phimosis
This makes it easier to retract the foreskin without experiencing severe pain or discomfort. Just apply the cream or ointment in the area around the head of the penis twice or thrice a day. After using the ointment for about 2 weeks, gradually and gently try to retract the foreskin.
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.
What could have caused my tight foreskin? In children, a tight foreskin is usually congenital but, in adults, it is often due to a scarring disease known as balanitis xerotica obliterans (BXO, sometimes called lichen sclerosus).
In adulthood, the foreskin is normally loose enough to be fully retracted. In this case, the glans (including its root) should be fully exposed. During erection, the foreskin retracts by itself, exposing the entire glans or at least part of it.
When the foreskin separates from the glans of the penis it can be pulled back (retracted) to expose the glans. Foreskin retraction may happen immediately after birth, or it may take several years. Some boys can retract their foreskin as early as age 5, but some may not be able to do this until their teenage years.
Phimosis is normal for the uncircumcised infant/child and usually resolves around 5-7 years of age, however the child may be older. Pathologic phimosis: Phimosis that occurs due to scarring, infection or inflammation.
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.
I can't pull my foreskin back, my foreskin is too tight
Try pulling the foreskin back really slowly. This will take a lot of patience (it may take a few weeks to build up to doing it fully), so don't be tempted to yank it back. If your foreskin is very tight, it's advisable to speak to your GP.
Phimosis in a young child is likely to improve on its own. In adults, phimosis will not go away unless surgery is performed or an infection is treated.
Phimosis isn't usually a problem unless it causes symptoms. These include: redness. soreness.
Steroid creams – these may help to soften the skin and make it easier to stretch the foreskin.
Phimosis – the doctor may suggest that you attempt to stretch your foreskin by retracting it regularly, such as when showering and every time you urinate. The stretching process may take a few weeks. Regular use of steroid creams may also help. If the foreskin remains tight, you may need circumcision.
Applying soft white paraffin ointment (Vaseline® ointment) under the foreskin helps to heal genital skin. Try to avoid contact with irritants of the genital skin.
Smegma. If you do not wash your penis every day, a cheesy-looking substance called smegma can build up. Smegma is a natural lubricant that keeps the penis moist. It's found on the head of the penis and under the foreskin.
If there is partial tightness of the foreskin it can often be treated by applying topical hydrocortisone. Additionally, regular retraction of the foreskin at home can relax and stretch the skin in around 60 per cent of cases.
Foreskin retraction may happen right after birth. Or it may take several years. Most foreskins can be fully retracted by the time a young man is 18 years old.
If the foreskin is still tight after puberty, it's best for a doctor to check it. If the foreskin gets pulled back when it's still tight or isn't replaced after being pulled back, it might get stuck. It can act like a rubber band, forming a tight ring around the shaft of the penis. This is called paraphimosis.
If you have phimosis, the foreskin of your uncircumcised penis can't be retracted (pulled back). Treatment may begin with steroid creams but you may eventually need surgery.