Tight foreskin (phimosis)
Paraphimosis
Paraphimosis is where the foreskin can't be returned to its original position after being retracted.
It causes the glans to become painful and swollen and requires emergency medical treatment to avoid serious complications, such as increased pain, swelling and restricted blood flow to the penis.
It may be possible to reduce the pain and inflammation by applying a local anaesthetic gel to the penis and pressing on the glans while pushing the foreskin forward. In difficult cases, it may be necessary to make a small slit in the foreskin to help relieve the pressure.
In severe cases of paraphimosis, circumcision may be recommended. In very severe cases, a lack of blood flow to the penis can cause tissue death ( gangrene ) and surgical removal of the penis may be necessary.
Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 21 Dec 2018
Introduction
Read about phimosis (tight foreskin), which is normal in babies and toddlers. It's usually only a problem if it causes redness, soreness or swelling.
Normal development
Most uncircumcised baby boys have a foreskin that won't pull back (retract) because it's still attached to the glans. This is perfectly normal for about the first two to six years. By around the age
When phimosis is a problem
Phimosis isn't usually a problem unless it causes symptoms such as redness, soreness or swelling. If your child's glans is sore and inflamed they may have Balanitis (inflammation of the head of the
Paraphimosis
Paraphimosis is where the foreskin can't be returned to its original position after being retracted. It causes the glans to become painful and swollen and requires emergency medical treatment to avoi
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