[ ARC forum 2 ]
Written by Jim at 14 Aug 2001 19:51:17: Re: 4 year old with ballooning penis
As an answer to: 4 year old with ballooning penis written by Raewyn at 14 Aug 2001 12:21:17:
>Hi,
>My son has just turned 4. 18 months ago we saw a specialist who told us he would need to be circumcised because his foreskin was not retracting and the hole was small so that when he urinates his penis balloons. He has no other problems eg infections. No pain when urinating. We don't want to circumcise unless absolutely neccessary. After doing a bit of surfing it seems to me he may not have phimosis. What should we be looking for when he trys to retract his foreskin? Thanks in advance for your help.
He's only four. There are still many years for retraction to be accomplished. Meanwhile it is necessary to be gentle in any efforts to speed up the process. The balooning is nature's way of loosening the natural adhesions of the foreskin to the glans. This is good, Some young boys are taught by their fathers to hold the end of the foreskin closed and then let go, filling up the little pouch and letting it baloon. The effect is that the skin will stretch naturally. By the way, this is best done outdoors!Bathtime is the best time to attempt any retraction as the skin is much more supple when warmed up by the bath water. Just have the boy gently pull back each night and eventually the skin will cooperate. Each time he pees he should also pull back as far as comfortable.
Just don't let this knife happy doctor talk you into anything. If the boy is peeing freely, there is nothing to be concerned about.