Phimosis
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on May 4, 2025.
AMBULATORY CARE:
Phimosis
is tight foreskin around the glans (tip) of the penis. The foreskin is so tight that it cannot be pulled back from the tip. Phimosis is most common in boys 4 years or younger.
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Common symptoms include the following:
The tip may be red, swollen, tender, or painful. Your child may have trouble urinating.
Seek care immediately if:
- Your child cannot urinate.
Drugs used to treat this and similar conditions
Urecholine
Urecholine is used for abdominal distension, urinary retention
Bloxiverz
Bloxiverz is used for reversal of neuromuscular blockade, urinary retention
Ozempic
Learn about Ozempic (semaglutide) for type 2 diabetes treatment, weight management, cardiovascular ...
Neostigmine
Neostigmine systemic is used for myasthenia gravis, reversal of neuromuscular blockade, reversal of ...
Bethanechol
Bethanechol systemic is used for abdominal distension, GERD, urinary retention
Call your child's doctor if:
- You are not able to move the foreskin back to the correct position.
- Your child has a fever.
- You see redness, swelling, or blisters on your child's penis.
- You see drainage from your child's foreskin.
- Your child has pain when he urinates.
- You have questions or concerns about your child's condition or care.
Treatment:
- Medicines may be needed to decrease swelling and pain or to treat a bacterial infection.
- A circumcision may be done to remove your child's foreskin.
Treatment options
The following list of medications are related to or used in the treatment of this condition.
Manage your child's phimosis:
- Do not force the foreskin to pull back. Your child may have pain, cracking, and bleeding. A scar may form and cause the foreskin to stick to the tip of the penis.
- Keep your child's penis clean. Use gentle soap to remove smegma from around the tip. After the foreskin has separated from the tip, gently pull it back and wash this area with soap and water. Rinse the soap off. Then gently push your child's foreskin back to cover the tip of his penis. When your child is old enough, teach him how to clean the area.
- Gently move the foreskin back to the normal position. Every time the foreskin is pulled back, make sure it returns to its original position. The foreskin must always cover the tip. Do not force the foreskin away from or back over the tip. Force may cause more pain, or cause scars to form on the penis.
Follow up with your child's doctor as directed:
Write down your questions so you remember to ask them during your child's visits.
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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.
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