Phimosis / parahimosis

Phimosis:

Phimosis occurs when the foreskin is too tight to be retracted over the glans (head) of the penis. In young boys, this is often physiological and typically resolves by age 17, with 99% able to fully retract their foreskin by this age. However, in older males, phimosis can result from infections, inflammation, or scarring.

Paraphimosis:

Paraphimosis is a medical emergency where the retracted foreskin becomes trapped behind the glans and cannot be returned to its normal position. This can lead to swelling, pain, and restricted blood flow to the penis, potentially causing serious complications if not treated promptly.


Symptoms:

Phimosis:

Bulging of the foreskin during urination.
Inability to retract the foreskin by age 3 (though in some children, this may take longer).

Paraphimosis:

Swelling and pain at the tip of the penis.
Inability to pull the foreskin back over the glans.
Discoloration of the glans, appearing dark red or bluish.

Treatment:

Phimosis:

Application of a steroid cream to the foreskin up to three times daily for about a month to loosen the adhesive ring.
If the child has ballooning of the foreskin during urination after the age of 10, a circumcision (surgical removal of all or part of the foreskin) may be recommended.

Paraphimosis:

Lubricating the foreskin and tip of the penis, then gently squeezing the tip while pulling the foreskin forward.
If this is ineffective, a small incision to relieve the tension may be performed.
An emergency circumcision may be recommended in severe cases.

If you or someone else is experiencing symptoms of phimosis or paraphimosis, it's important to consult a healthcare provider for appropriate evaluation and management.