Phimosis is a disease that can cause problems in your penis. It can affect how you feel when you urinate, and could cause serious issues like infection.



A doctor can identify phimosis by examining the body and review of symptoms. They may also take an in-person sample of the foreskin, which will be tested in a lab.



Signs and symptoms



Phimosis affects a lot of young men and boys who aren't circumcised. It causes the foreskin be too tight to be pulled back over the head or glans of the penis.



The cause of phimosis isn't identified however it is believed to be caused by scar tissue from infection or inflammation. It could also be caused by a skin condition known as balanitis, xerotica, obliterans (BXO) which is similar to the condition known as lichen sclerosis.



When the foreskin isn't retracted it can get stuck behind the penis's head and block blood from flowing to the penis. This can cause paraphimosis. It is a dangerous medical condition which requires immediate attention from a healthcare professional.



Phimosis is defined by difficulty in retracting the foreskin and swelling during urination. At age three, the child will not be capable of retracting the foreskin completely. It can improve by itself in certain children, but it may take longer in some.



Diagnosis



During a physical examination the doctor will examine the foreskin and the penis. They also ask about any symptoms you or your child have noticed.



The doctor will examine for signs of damage on the foreskin. This could be due to balanitis or phimosis (BXO). This condition stops the foreskin from retracting properly.



Certain adults may develop phimosis due to repeated tears and infections in their foreskin or because of scarring on their foreskin. The condition can be a result of physiologic or pathological causes and is often associated with skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, and lichen planus.



Physiologic phimosis generally improves on its own with age or by using topical corticosteroid cream or ointment. Treatment of pathologic phimosis, however, may involve an operation known as circumcision. Although circumcision isn't medically required in young boys, parents might prefer it due to the fact that it alleviates symptoms of phimosis and lowers the risk for a sexually transmitted disease.



Treatment



During pregnancy, or the beginning of a child's existence, it's normal for babies to have an encased or stuck foreskin that covers the penis's head (glans). This is known as phimosis.



Eventually, the foreskin should naturally loosen in order to allow the person to pull it back. This may take a while especially for infants.



In some instances, phimosis can be treated by applying steroid Ointment. If the ointment doesn't work or if the skin remains stuck, the only option is circumcision.



It can be done under the general anaesthetic or with a locally anaesthetic. It takes off the foreskin, and stops phimosis from happening in the future.



The following is a list of preventatives.



There are some simple steps you can take to stop phimosis. Particularly, a good penile hygiene and a regular pulling back the foreskin are important.



Men and boys who are not circumcised should always take their cracked foreskin treatment off when they urinate to lessen the chance of contracting infection. They should also clean the area under the foreskin regularly with mild soap and warm water in order to avoid the development of smegma, a white, cheese-like substance.



Some boys develop phimosis even before puberty. This can be a problem. In these cases, pediatric urologists generally prescribe steroid creams as well as gentle stretching of the foreskin to help it retract more easily. If these methods do not work, a circumcision might be required.