HealthSquare.com

Your Prescription Drug Destination
See all our sites for your special health needs at www.HealthCentral.com
HealthSquare >  Conditions and Treatments >  Alpha Index >  P >  Phimosis

Search:

Choose a suggestion...
...or just finish typing
Drugs A-Z:

Phimosis

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

If the foreskin of the penis is so tight that it can't be pulled back, the condition is known as phimosis (fim-O-sis). It is seen most frequently in children.

Causes

The problem may be present from birth. It also can be caused by an infection or scar tissue from an injury.

Care

If the boy is unable to urinate, seek medical attention at once. The doctor may need to thread a tube (catheter) into the tip of the penis, through the urinary canal (urethra), and into the bladder to drain the urine. If the boy can urinate, he may not need treatment right away. The usual remedy is circumcision to remove the foreskin.

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO

  • Do NOT use force to pull the foreskin back. This can cause scarring and make the condition worse. Clean under the foreskin regularly if possible.
  • In uncircumcised babies, the foreskin is normally tight. It usually doesn't start to loosen enough to be pulled back until the baby is at least 18 months old. Until then, leave the foreskin alone. Later, you may gently pull back the foreskin during bathing.

Call Your Doctor If...

  • There is redness, swelling, or drainage from the foreskin. These are signs of infection.
  • The boy has pain when urinating.
  • The boy gets a high temperature.

Seek Care Immediately If...

  • The boy has not urinated in 24 hours.


Return to top

text continues below
 Email this page |   Printer friendly |   Bookmark this page
HONcode logo
We comply with the HONcode standard for health trust worthy information: verify here.
More info from:

HealthCentral.com's
Erectile Dysfunction Site

Most Viewed
Top Erectile Dysfunction Drugs
More 

Latest News

  • Couples' counseling in Africa could cut HIV spread
  • Testosterone gel benefits some men with diabetes
  • REFILE: Alcoholics Anonymous helpful for teens too: study
  • Alcoholics Anonymous helpful for teens too: study
  • German court rules on civil servants using Viagra
    • More 

    Learn More

    Erectile Dysfunction Related Drugs

    View All
    Poll
    Which of these drugs are you taking?

    view results
    More info from

    HealthCentral.com's
    Erectile Dysfunction Site

    View all conditions
    PR Newswire
    advertisement

    Featured Advertiser Links
    Note: All clinical content on this site is physician-reviewed, except material generated by our community members.
    Featuring Content From:
    • Harvard Health Publications
    • A.D.A.M.
    • HealthDay: News for Healthier Living
    • Thomson PDR
    • Ivanhoe Broadcast News

    By using this service, you accept our Terms of Use. Please read them. The consumer health information on HealthSquare.com is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for any medical conditions. You should promptly seek professional mediscal care if you have any concern about your health, and you should always consult your physician before starting a fitness regimen. Copyright © 2004-2008. The HealthCentral Network, Inc. All rights reserved.

    • HonCode: Health on the Net Foundation
    • TRUSTe Certified Privacy