Foreskin Problems In Boys

Foreskin is the piece of skin that covers the top of the penis. Foreskin problems such as tightness, ballooning, redness are very common. It can affect boys of all ages.Inadequate or incorrect information can cause confusion and anxiety to both patients and parents. This article will help parents to getsome understanding oncommon foreskin problems in boys.

TIGHT FORESKIN /NON-RETRACTILE FORESKIN/ PHIMOSIS

In boys, tight foreskin, also called as phimosis is very common. Because of the tightness, Sometimes the foreskin balloons at the time of passing urine. At birth, the foreskin is normally tight. However, as the boys get older, fluid is produced from the undersurface of the foreskin and makes it freely mobile. By the time the boys are around 10 years of age, the foreskin is completely free and mobile.Beyond the age of 10 years,if foreskins are not freely mobile, treatment is usually recommended.

Although tight foreskin is very common in young boys,it can also be seen after infection or inflammation of the foreskin. In a normal tight foreskin (physiological phimosis), pulling the foreskin back will show a flower like pink inner foreskin at the tip, However, if infection is present (pathological phimosis) the foreskin tip is flat and flower appearance is not seen.

Inflammation of the tip of the penis and foreskin (balanitis) are usually caused by chemical irritation, bacterial or fungal infection. The tip of foreskin becomes red, swollen and painful. After some time the inflamed foreskin becomes tight – as shown in. Antibiotic and antifungal creams can be applied, along with regular warm sitz (antiseptic) bath and it usually works well.

Infected or inflamed foreskin should always be watched carefully, as they can result in a tight scar formation (BXO -Balanitis xerotica obliterans). Steroid creams applied over the foreskin may improve the tightness, but not in all patients. In many patients, the tightness comes back immediately after stopping the cream applications. Most patients need circumcision (Removing the foreskin) which will cure the patient.

Very rarely, the infection from the tip and head of the penis can spread into the whole penis. The whole penis appears swollen and red and this condition is called balanoposthitis. Oral antibiotics(tablets and syrup)are usually not enough. Antibioticsgiven via the veins (intravenous)will reduce the redness and swelling quickly.

Sometimes boys forget to pull the foreskin forward (back to normal) after cleaning or passing urine. The foreskin becomes red,swollen and appears like a balloon around the head of the penis. This is called paraphimosis and it is an emergencyrequiring surgery. If noticed early, the foreskin can be gently pulled forward to normal position under anaesthesia, otherwise the foreskin may need to be removed – circumcision.