Pediatric phimosis

What is pediatric phimosis?

Phimosis is the inability to retract the foreskin of the head of the penis. Phimosis may appear as a tight ring or “rubber band” of skin around the tip of the penis, which prevents full retraction.

• Physiologic phimosis is when tight foreskin is present at birth and usually resolves without treatment between the ages of 5 and 7.

• Pathologic phimosis occurs later in life and is due to scarring, infection or inflammation.

What are the signs and symptoms of pediatric phimosis?

The main symptom of phimosis is the physical appearance of the foreskin that cannot be fully retracted from the head of the penis.

Other symptoms may include:

• Bleeding or infection around the foreskin

• Pain when urinating

• Swelling around the foreskin

How is pediatric phimosis treated?

Treatment may include (but depend on the age of the child):

• Applying a steroid cream on the foreskin

• Circumcision