A condition where it is impossible to perform an exposure of the head of the penis, doctors call phimosis. This situation can be both innate and be acquired in nature. It is important to start tracking its development immediately after the birth of the baby.
The foreskin in infants is often quite inactive (it is tight and tightly attached to the surface of the penis). According to various authors, from 40 to 90% of all newborn boys have congenital physiological phimosis. Normally, this condition should disappear during the first 12 months of life, although sometimes it remains until adolescence.
As the body develops, the skin between the head of the penis and the foreskin coarsens (doctors call this process “keratinization of the epithelium”), which allows the natural exposure of the head. A fundamentally different situation occurs with acquired phimosis. Due to non-observance of personal hygiene (including in children and even newborns) or sexual infection, inflammation of the foreskin (the so-called balanoposthitis) develops, leading to its sticking and narrowing. Phimosis can also cause injuries or systemic diseases of the connective tissue.
Symptoms
If phimosis occurs, its symptoms will be completely unambiguous: it is impossible to expose the head, there is straining when urinating, urine is excreted in a thin weak stream or drops. With the development of inflammation, pain and itching will appear in the foreskin and head of the penis, the body temperature may well increase and the inguinal lymph nodes may increase . And in advanced situations there will also be a release of pus.
Dangerous situations
It is important for parents to understand that congenital phimosis in combination with personal hygiene disorders can quickly lead to inflammation, and then turn into an acquired, permanent form. Such a situation is the path to disorders in the genital area (up to infertility) and a source of constant infection of the bladder and kidneys. Since ancient times, circumcision has been performed to prevent this condition in boys. A complication of phimosis is paraphimosis, or infringement of the head. In children, this is rare, since this unpleasant situation mainly develops during intercourse. Narrowed flesh, like a stranglehold, pulls the penis, causing circulatory disorders. Like any ischemia, paraphimosis can have very dire consequences. To eliminate it, you must immediately consult a doctor.
What to do and how to treat
Firstly, to observe hygiene, to accustom the boy to cleanliness from a very young age. Secondly - to monitor the situation, while taking a bath carefully, without violence, to expose the head, not necessarily completely. To prevent inflammation, and if it appears, you can make special baths, and it is better to consult a pediatrician. In a hospital, phimosis is eliminated either using a special procedure (under anesthesia, the head is removed from the foreskin and a special antiseptic treatment is performed), or by surgery.
If urination disorders, purulent discharge, or paraphimosis occur, consult a doctor immediately. Remember that any doubts about the health of your child is also a reason for medical advice, do not be afraid to play it safe.