Phimosis or fImosis is an abnormality of the uncircumcised penis The foreskin or foreskin of the penis is attached tightly to the head of the penis. This is normal in baby and children.
Phimosis is a normal condition in infants and children caused by the scalp or foreskin of the penis not being completely detached from the head of the penis. The foreskin will fall off on its own as the child gets older. Do not try to remove it because it will risk causing a disorder called paraphimosis.
Paraphimosis occurs when the retracted foreskin becomes stuck and cannot return to its original position. Paraphimosis is an emergency medical condition that must be treated immediately because it can block blood flow to the head of the penis.
Phimosis Symptoms
Phimosis in uncircumcised children is a normal condition caused by the attachment of the foreskin to the head of the penis. The foreskin of the child's penis will stretch by itself with age. The foreskin will be completely detached generally by the age of 17 years.
Although generally phimosis in children is a normal condition, there are conditions that need to be watched out for in a child's penis, namely when the foreskin has been detached but is reattached or the head of the penis becomes inflamed (balanitis).
Phimosis that occurs in adults is also an abnormal condition. Adults with phimosis may experience pain, burning, and decreased sexual desire.
When to go to the doctor
Phimosis is a normal condition for uncircumcised boys. However, phimosis has the risk of causing balanitis which can be characterized by the following symptoms:
- The head of the penis feels sore, and looks swollen and red.
- Thick discharge from the foreskin.
- A white line is formed around the head of the penis that resembles a
- There is blood in the urine.
- Burning or pain when urinating.
- Lower pelvic pain.
If these conditions arise, immediately consult with your child's doctor to get the right treatment.
Children need to undergo routine immunizations according to the schedule recommended by the pediatrician. At the time of immunization, the pediatrician will also monitor the health condition of the child, including the condition of the child's penis.
With age, a boy's foreskin will stretch so that it can be pulled from the head of the penis. However, if the foreskin has stretched and then sticks tightly again, immediately consult a doctor. This is an abnormal condition.
Causes of Phimosis
Phimosis is a normal condition in uncircumcised children, especially children under 3 years of age. After that, the foreskin will loosen by itself so that it can be moved or pulled behind the head of the penis.
In addition to children, phimosis can also occur in adults who have not been circumcised. Unlike children, phimosis in adults is an abnormal condition and can be caused by:
- Inflammation of the head of the penis
- Penile head infection
- Lichen sclerosus
- Eczema
- psoriasis
- Diabetes
Phimosis in adults is more common in someone who has repeatedly used a urinary catheter.
Phimosis Diagnosis
Phimosis will appear from the symptoms that appear, namely the foreskin of the penis attached to the head of the penis. This condition is normal in children, especially in children under 3 years of age. However, if there are symptoms that need to be watched out for, immediately consult a doctor.
When consulting with a doctor, the doctor will ask the patient's symptoms, then the doctor will perform a physical examination, especially on the penis. After that, the doctor will determine the steps of treatment to be undertaken, without the need for additional examinations.
Phimosis Treatment
Most cases of phimosis are not serious and do not require special treatment. For parents whose children have phimosis, never forcibly pull the foreskin of the penis. This action can trigger irritation or infection, even dangerous paraphimosis can occur.
Doctors will provide treatment steps if phimosis causes symptoms that interfere with daily activities. The type of treatment given will be adjusted to the age and severity of the patient's phimosis.
The following are the types of treatment that doctors may suggest:
Drugs
Doctors can give drugs to relieve phimosis. One of the drugs that can be used is a topical corticosteroid in the form of a cream, gel, or ointment. Corticosteroid medications can help loosen the foreskin, making it easier to retract.
Doctors can also give other drugs according to the cause of phimosis. If the patient has a yeast infection, the patient will be given an antifungal cream. If the patient has a bacterial infection, the patient will be given an antibiotic cream.
Phimosis in adults can interfere with sexual activity because it causes discomfort or pain. To overcome this, the doctor may suggest the use of condoms and lubricants when having intercourse.
Circumcision
The doctor will advise the patient to undergo circumcision if the patient has balanitis or recurrent inflammation of the glans, or recurrent urinary tract infections. Circumcision can also be performed if the foreskin is attached very tightly.
Complications of Phimosis
Although phimosis in children is a normal condition, phimosis can cause complications such as penile infection. If it occurs in adults, phimosis can cause complications such as the following:
- Phimosis that occurs spontaneously
- Posthitis or inflammation of the foreskin.
- Necrosis or decay of the head tissue of the penis.
- Autoamputation of the head of the penis due to tissue decay.
Phimosis Prevention
Phimosis is a normal condition in children. Preventive measures are needed to prevent penile infections in children. For this reason, parents need to teach their children to always clean and dry the penis regularly.
Whereas in adults, cleaning the penis is done to prevent the occurrence or recurrence of phimosis. The steps that can be taken to clean the penis are:
- Wash the penis every day with water while bathing. This also needs to be done on men who have been circumcised.
- Use soap that does not contain perfume and avoid using deodorant on the penis to reduce the risk of irritation.
Gently pull on the foreskin to clean the skin under the foreskin, but don't pull the foreskin hard as this can cause pain and sores.