Physiologic phimosis: Children are born with tight foreskin at birth and separation occurs naturally over time. Phimosis is normal for the uncircumcised infant/child and usually resolves around 5-7 years of age, however the child may be older.
Over time, the foreskin will separate from the head of the penis. This is a natural process and occurs over 5 to 10 years. It slowly loosens up (retracts) a little at a time. Normal erections during childhood cause most of the change by stretching the foreskin.
Therefore, when the foreskin is narrowed, the male penis will be more sensitive than usual and very easy to ejaculate even with slight stimulation, which not only makes the partner unsatisfied, but also makes the partner unsatisfied. More severe can affect reproductive function.
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).
The options for surgery depend on the cause and the surgeon will be able to discuss this with you, but generally if the foreskin is healthy but tight, then a frenuloplasty or perputioplasty could be considered. Both of these procedures aim to preserve the foreskin while loosening the skin to allow retraction.
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.
Use a topical steroid cream to help massage and soften the foreskin so that it's easier to retract. A prescription ointment or cream with 0.05 percent clobetasol propionate (Temovate) is usually recommended for this. Don't wait too long to get medical help.
Adult phimosis may be caused by repeated episodes of balanitis or balanoposthitis. Such infections are commonly due to poor personal hygiene (failure to regularly clean under the foreskin). Phimosis may be a presenting symptom of early diabetes mellitus.
Betnovate-N. It is the most common ointment used for treating phimosis. Betnovate-N is an ointment that contains a steroid named betamethasone valerate.
Stretching can be unpleasant at times. You could discover that stretching your foreskin is easier if you use warm water. Take a hot shower or bathe in a heated bath. It will not only help you relax, but the warm water may also assist loosen your skin.
This can take anywhere from four to eight weeks, so don't be concerned if your foreskin doesn't budge after a few days. You can also massage your foreskin while you're taking a hot bath or shower. The high water temperature helps loosen the skin and makes it easier to stretch.
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).
The foreskin (also called the prepuce) is tight when babies are born, but usually gets looser by the time the child is 2 years old. During the years between ages 2 and 6, the foreskin loosens up and begins to separate from the head of their penis. Phimosis can also happen after childhood.
Can you treat a tight foreskin at home? 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.
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.
You don't need to pull it back for cleaning. If your child does pull back the foreskin in the bath or shower, that's fine – but it's not needed. Once your child goes through puberty and can easily pull back the foreskin, it's good for your child to do this in the bath or shower for cleaning.
Boys born with phimosis, and it can last through puberty. With time, the skin retracts off the head of the penis naturally. You need treatment only if it happens after your foreskin has become fully retractable.
Phimosis usually goes away on its own within the first few years of a child's life. If it causes problems – for instance, when urinating (peeing) – it may need to be treated. Using a special cream is often enough. Surgery is only rarely needed.
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.
The condition you have is phimosis which is tightness of foreskin prevent easy retraction. It is not usually interfering with penile growth.
Paraphimosis treatment
If the foreskin remains stuck, your doctor might need to make a small cut in the trapped foreskin to loosen it. In some cases, your doctor may need to do a circumcision.