Phimosis is a condition that occurs when the foreskin is not capable of retracting. This is usually seen in infants and toddlers aged between approximately two and six years old, however, it is possible that they require treatment if it doesn't go away on its own.



Phimosis usually goes away on its own in children within three years. If it doesn't then it is treatable by the use of a steroid cream.



Signs and symptoms



Phimosis is a condition in which the foreskin doesn't have the ability to be pulled back over the penis's head (glans). It's not uncommon for uncircumcised infants and toddlers to be troubled by this.



The signs of phimosis generally improve as you get older. At the age 3 the majority of boys are able to retract their foreskin.



Phimosis in older children or adults could be associated with scarring or skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis. It could also be associated with sexually transmitted infections.



The most frequent symptom of phimosis is ballooning of the foreskin when urinating (peeing). This can make it difficult to pass urine and may increase your child's risk of other urinary issues.



If your child has phimosis and isn't getting better, they may need to see their GP to seek treatment. A visit to the doctor may also help identify any other conditions that could be causing your child's symptoms. This could be due to balanitis or paraphimosis. These conditions can cause swelling, pain, and loss of blood supply to the penis.



Diagnosis



The diagnosis usually involves a physical exam and a review of symptoms. Your doctor may also order swabs or urine tests to look for signs of infection.



If a fungal or bacterial infection is present, your doctor will need to treat the infection using antibiotics and/or antifungal ointments. In certain instances, your doctor will suggest surgery.



Most children with phimosis don't exhibit any other symptoms. It's a normal part of growing older.



Phimosis is a problem for children. It could stop them from peeing (peeing) completely or make it hard for them to completely empty their bladders.



The symptoms can vary by age and can be different from child to child. Typically, children with phimosis will experience swelling of the foreskin after urinating.



If this happens, they might be unable to completely retract the foreskin until age 3 (in some boys it may take longer). This could cause swelling of the foreskin as well as the tip (glans) of the penis. It may also result in an interruption in blood flow to the head of the penis which could result in an emergency medical condition.



Treatment



Treatment for phimosis varies depending on severity and whether the condition is natural or acquired. Your physician may recommend gentle manual retraction every day or topical application of corticosteroid cream.



In children who have good hygiene throughout the first three years, phimosis may resolve by itself. Some boys aren't able to fully retract it until they reach the age of three.



Pathologic phimosis that does not improve after a daily manual retraction or steroid-based ointment may require further treatment. It may cause: painful urination (dysuria) and frequent urinary tract infections, or paraphimosis (foreskin stuck in a retracted state behind the penis's head).



Prevention



Phimosis usually goes away on its own with good hygiene. If it does not go away, it is best to consult a physician.



In some cases it is possible to treat phimosis non-surgically and with home remedies. However, if a person's phimosis is severe and causes problems with their daily life it may require surgery to treat it.



Fortunately, phimosis can be prevented with some care for the foreskin. Gently cleaning the penis by soaking it in warm water each day is a great method to prevent phimosis from forming in the first place.



The foreskin is retracted when you are urinating. This is a different preventive measure. This will stop the foreskin from swelling and becoming irritated. This can then result in scarring and infections.