Foreskin Problems In Children

A tight foreskin that won’t retract can cause problems such as ballooning when weeing. Whilst normal in younger children, this may lead to circumcision in older children.

  • Overview
  • Treatments
  • Arrange a Consultation

    • Overview of Foreskin Problems In Children

    My son’s foreskin won’t retract and balloons when he wees.

    • The majority of the time this is normal until the child is 16
    • Reasons to circumcise are if there is scarring of the foreskin called balanitis xerotica obliterans (BXO)
    • Ballooning is normal and is the body’s way of separating the child’s foreskin from the head of the penis

    My son has a lump under his foreskin.

    • This is called a smegma pearl
    • This is a normal finding in young children where adhesions remain between the foreskin and the head of the penis
    • As these adhesions break down, they can form a lump
    • This will go away on its own

    Treatments for Foreskin Problems In Children

    Is there anything I can do to help the foreskin roll back?

    • Encourage your son to gently retract the foreskin when he’s in the bath or shower
    • Never forcefully retract the foreskin
    • Clean the foreskin only with water, not with soap, as this can irritate the skin and cause it to become red
    • You can apply a short course of steroid ointment to the foreskin to try to separate it from the head of the penis

    Next Steps

    Get fast access to leading specialists for the swift diagnosis and treatment of urological conditions in a private clinic environment.

    If you would like more information or wish to arrange a consultation with one of our specialist consultant urological surgeons then please either Call 0118 920 7040 or complete the form below.

    Insured patients

    Contact your GP and ask for a referral to the Urology Partnership.

    All consultations, investigations and treatments are covered by major insurance companies (depending on policy).

    Funding your own treatment

    Self-funding initial consultation fee is £205. Follow up fees are £165.

    Consultation charges are exclusive of any tests and other investigations that the consultant may wish to carry out.

    If you are making an appointment on behalf of someone else, please complete the form with their details but add your own name and contact details into the "further information" box.

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