Buy a Syringe To Apply the Cream

When purchasing a topical steroid cream for phimosis, it is usually recommended that you get an accompanying plastic syringe. You will use it to apply the cream.

Firstly, remove the syringe from the box or packet and pull out the plunger from the rear end of the tube. Make sure to pull it out entirely and double-check to ensure there is nothing inside the syringe tube.

Put the Cream in the Syringe Tube

Depending on the container the topical steroid cream comes in, scoop about 1 milligram of cream and place it inside the syringe tube. Be careful not to put in excess cream as that might offset its effects as time goes on. Place the plunger you had initially removed back into its original position in the syringe and seal tightly.

Apply the Cream on the Site of the Phimosis

Now, place the syringe tip on the penis opening just above the foreskin and press down on the plunger to insert the cream on the phimosis site.

Make sure to push the plunger to the very end to release all the cream inside the syringe.

Retract the Foreskin To Allow the Cream Seep In

Proceed to remove the syringe after all the cream has been released, ensuring there isn’t any left. Pull the foreskin back as gently and lightly as possible, allowing the steroid cream to seep in underneath the foreskin and around the glans penis.

Stretch the Foreskin To Make It Loose

Hold the foreskin in a stretched position for about one to two minutes. This step allows the steroids in the cream to loosen the foreskin long enough for it to be extended. Holding it in this position is a kind of exercise meant to stretch the skin as continuous application goes on over time.

Repeat the Above Steps Three Times Daily

Repeat the first five steps repeatedly three times daily for the maximum effect, each time making sure the penis and foreskin are clean and dry. These steps should continue for about five to seven weeks while maintaining the instructions to the letter. After a few weeks, you should notice that the foreskin is beginning to stretch back to its original position.

Note: While these steps include using a syringe and plunger, steroid creams can equally be applied directly to the foreskin area and gently massaged into the affected areas. You can still maintain the time intervals of three times a day and keep the penis clean and dry before each application.

If you do not see any noticeable improvements to the foreskin, you should consult your doctor and discuss getting started on another type of cream or any other treatment plan altogether.

Topical Steroid Cream

Topical steroid creams are anti-inflammatory and antibiotic creams synthetically made with cortisone steroids which are naturally secreted by the body’s adrenal gland and have anesthetic effects.

These topical steroid creams usually contain betamethasone, a synthetic form of cortisone, as the active ingredient. If recommended, you should apply these creams in a specific manner as they might give different results if misapplied.

About Phimosis

It is still common to learn about some previously unknown medical conditions in today’s digital world.

Some of these conditions might be so rare that most people haven’t seen or even heard of them and hence might be misinformed about the realities surrounding them. One such condition is phimosis.

So if you’re uncircumcised or you plan on not circumcising your sons, or perhaps you want to learn about some rare genital conditions, you might want to pay attention to this.

Phimosis is a medical condition that occurs in uncircumcised boys where the foreskin surrounding the glans (commonly called the head of the penis) cannot be pulled back or retracted. In this case, the foreskin might become so tight or stuck to the head of the penis that it cannot be stretched.

Some parents might be so misinformed that they immediately think of surgical remedies to the situation, imagining the worst-case scenario. But the reality is that 80% of newborn boys have tight foreskin after birth.

In most cases, the opening at the top of the foreskin is very small or closed to the extent that stretching over the tip of the penis under it becomes discomforting or painful in some cases.

Due to the foreskin covering the tip of the penis so closely, a balloon-like swelling might occur underneath the foreskin, especially during urination. This swelling will most likely be a build-up of urine trapped underneath the foreskin. Eventually, this swelling tends to reduce as the urine leaks out of the opening of the foreskin.

Symptoms of Phimosis

In young boys and babies, phimosis is a congenital condition, meaning they’ve had it since birth, and it has not been acquired during their lives. Uncircumcised babies might have a foreskin that is tighter than usual, restricting the exposure of the glans penis.

In adult men, the foreskin can become excessively stretched when the penis is erect and may even become painful over time. Some redness can usually be seen in and around the foreskin as it stretches and may become painfully sensitive to touch.

This pain might also make cleaning the penis and the foreskin difficult, which will most definitely lead to bacterial and fungal build-up.

A collection of sebaceous matter and epithelial cells underneath the foreskin is also a symptom that might present at the onset of phimosis. This collection of cells is known as smegma and is usually visible as small lumps of white or yellow substances between the foreskin and the glans.

Smegma usually acts as a glue that may stick the tip of the penis to the foreskin, making them very hard to separate. This discharge should not be mistaken for pus as bacterial or fungal infections do not cause it.

Causes of Phimosis

Phimosis is only found in uncircumcised males and babies as it usually begins at birth or a very young age. It can be of no severe medical consequence when found in babies, as the foreskin will gradually stretch and open up as the child gets older.

Most cases of phimosis in babies usually resolve by the age of three as the foreskin becomes so loose it can be stretched over the tip of the penis with ease. But some cases vary as it may take longer for the foreskin to stretch appropriately.

In some cases, boys with phimosis have been found to exhibit symptoms well into adolescence and adulthood. At this stage, it would be a cause for concern as it can seriously impair not just erectile function but also pave the way for other genital conditions like inflammation and irritation that lead to tears and scarring.

While phimosis may occur naturally in young uncircumcised boys, it may also be caused by several other factors that would contribute to the condition. These factors could include any of the following:

Diabetes

Studies have shown that at least 30% of men with phimosis have underlying diabetic issues. People with diabetes have impaired insulin production, which results in reduced ability to process sugar (glucose) which then finds its way into the blood and urine.

Frequent urination is common with diabetes, increasing the chances of urine droplets being deposited under the foreskin. These excessive amounts of glucose present in urine have the perfect spot (underneath the foreskin) to breed bacteria which induces inflammation, thereby restricting the foreskin (Phimosis).

Poor Hygiene

It’s no surprise that uncircumcised men are at higher risk of genital-related infections due to possible build-up of sweat, urine, or dirt underneath the foreskin. This warm, wet, dark environment serves as a breeding ground for infection-causing bacteria, hence the need for proper cleaning habits.

Poor cleaning habits can cause bacterial build-up, which might lead to inflammation resulting in phimosis.

Diaper Rash

Diaper/nappy rash is a generic term used to describe rashes and skin irritation on babies’ skin, usually on the buttocks and genital areas. These skin irritations are caused by diaper use resulting from the feces and urine stored in contact with sensitive skin for hours at a time.

This rash may also be caused by tight diapers, diarrhea, allergic reaction, frequent stooling, and prolonged exposure to soiled diapers. Diaper rash in uncircumcised boys can lead to irritation and inflammation of the foreskin, causing it to close tightly around the head of the penis, resulting in phimosis.

Complications of Phimosis

While phimosis may occur naturally, it can also result from scarring or injury to the penis; this is known as pathological phimosis. This phimosis may result from injuries caused by stretching the foreskin forcefully, resulting in tears and eventually inflammation.

While phimosis, in general, may require attention if it persists beyond a young age, acquired phimosis may require serious medical attention as it could lead to bacterial infections, which increase the risk of critical genital problems.

Painful Erection and Difficult Urination

If the phimosis persists beyond childhood and into adolescence, it may have more serious implications as it will affect urination and cause painful erections. When a penis with phimosis is erect, it stretches not just the penis itself but also the already tightened foreskin, which can be painful as it extends beyond its limits.

It may also cause difficulty in urinating with accompanied burning sensation and may include mucus discharge or bleeding from the penis.

Balanitis

Phimosis can result in other complications besides swelling and painful erections. One such complication is a condition known as Balanitis.

Balanitis is an inflammation of the glans penis accompanied by redness, rashes, and sometimes foul discharge from within the penis itself. This condition is usually a common side effect of phimosis and can further progress to more severe complications. Swelling resulting from phimosis and poor or even excessive cleaning of the foreskin may result in Balanitis.

Cancer of the Penis

Another resulting complication of phimosis, however rare, is penile cancer. Although it only affects a small fraction of boys with phimosis, penile cancer should not be dismissed as a possible risk factor. It presents itself with redness of the foreskin and tip of the penis and ulcerative outgrowths on the penis.

How To Make a Diagnosis of Phimosis

While this might all be informative, the only way to be sure you have phimosis is to get a diagnosis. There are some signs and symptoms to look for at home, though.

You might have noticed that your foreskin has been too tight for some time but are unsure what to do about it.

Well, you can start by trying to pull back the foreskin over the head of the penis. Gently try to roll it back to reveal the glans penis. If it appears too tight or becomes even remotely painful, you should stop immediately to avoid causing a tear to the foreskin.

The next step would be to see a doctor, a urologist, to be specific, as this happens to be their field of specialization. A urologist is a medical practitioner trained in the surgical management and treatment of genital-related illnesses in males and females. Urologists treat related medical issues in the kidney, bladder, adrenal gland, urethra, and reproductive organs.

Before a urologist can give a complete diagnosis, they might need an entire medical history to rule out previous medical conditions or penal injuries that could contribute to or might have caused the condition.

In adults, they would need information on previous sexual activities before physical examination of the foreskin and penis.

Your doctor might request a urine sample to test for infections and take a swab of the foreskin to check for fungi and bacteria. A blood test might also need to be carried out to decipher blood sugar levels to determine if you have diabetes contributing to phimosis.

Treatment for Phimosis

After the diagnosis has been successfully carried out and confirmed that it is indeed a case of phimosis, the next step would be to formulate a treatment plan.

Each case of phimosis is unique, and all cases differ in severity and cause so that treatment plans will be individually based. In some cases, like with babies, no treatment might be required, just time and proper hygiene.

Exercise by Stretching the Foreskin

Some physical exercise may be recommended for less severe cases to help prevent or possibly treat the phimosis. Gently and slowly pulling back the foreskin to reveal the glans penis is a great way to stretch out the foreskin gradually.

This step should be repeated for several weeks as recommended by a physician to ensure the phimosis loosens up.

It is important to note that the foreskin should not be pulled forcefully even when it tightly adheres to the glans penis, as this can cause severe tears, which will worsen the situation.

Take Antibiotics To Treat Infection

Phimosis caused by bacterial or fungal infection can usually be treated using some antibiotics. These drugs target the growing number of microscopic bacteria and fungi underneath the foreskin.

Treating with antibiotics would help reduce inflammation and irritation, effectively decreasing the level of discomfort and pain that might be present.

Surgical Treatment

While topical steroid creams are the most widespread mode of dealing with phimosis, other extreme methods are employed as a last resort when all fails.

A surgical option may be recommended if steroid creams prove ineffective against the phimosis, some of which include:

• Circumcision: This is a last resort if and when steroid creams prove ineffective, and surgery is the only other option. Circumcision involves cutting off the excessive foreskin surrounding the glans penis. This procedure is usually carried out on infants but can also be done with adults in cases of extreme phimosis.
• Preputioplasty: This medical procedure also involves cutting the foreskin and is another method of treating phimosis. But in the case of preputioplasty, it is less invasive and is an option for men who still wish to have an uncircumcised-looking penis.

All surgical treatment methods risk infection or bleeding and should only be done by a licensed doctor or medical practitioner. They should only be done as means of last resort against all other treatment methods.

Conclusion

Phimosis is a naturally occurring condition that cannot be predicted but can be prevented from spiraling out of control. The application of steroids commonly gets the job done quickly, but other methods exist that can make the painful experience of phimosis a memory.