[ ARC forum 2 ]
Written by Mark at 02 Jul 2002 00:07:53: Re: MAJOR upset!
As an answer to: MAJOR upset! written by Paul B. at 01 Jul 2002 23:56:17:
wow, thanks a lot Paul. Ill continue to try and reduce the swelling and be more careful in my stretching. Thanks again.
>> alrite...however i did not put soap or anything else besides water under my foreskin. Im assuming the foreskin must have been irritated through my stretching techniques.
>OK, so we now know that you did not use soap. Your current problem is still more likely related to over-zealous attempts to remove the smegma, likely traumatising the skin in the process, than to the actual stretching. The same thing in fact, that often happens trying to soften and remove hard earwax. While the smegma may become contaminated by bacteria, it is as I said before, not as if it hasn't been there for a while.
>Don't get panicked by all the "balanitis" talk (slightly incorrect anyway, you are describing "posthitis", not balanitis). It sounds as if you have some pretty impressive swelling there now - which can certainly happen because the foreskin is very loose skin and has therefore much space for swelling. I have to agree with AJ at this point, insofar as to visit a trustworthy doctor would be most helpful. The correct treatment is again, almost the same as for an ear (canal) infection.
>If it is not practical to see a doctor, then two things would be helpful. If the swelling increases as it seems to have in the one-and-three-quarter hours between your post here and your next, try soaking it in some iced water to reduce the swelling.
>If you can get at the inside at all, the simplest thing with which to treat it is Zinc and Castor Oil ("nappy" or "diaper" cream) from the chemist(/ pharmacist/ drugstore). This is a little more soothing than the "thrush cream" which AG suggests and probably more appropriate to your current situation. It is also a useful thing to soften and loosen the smegma so that it can be removed without (further) injury.
>Might I mention, in case the point comes up and this is not immediately self-evident, that in the presence of any infection, surgery is absolutely not a consideration, and this current problem is only transitional - once you get it sorted out, it will not happen again, so there is no need to consider surgery in the longer term either (else women, who suffer such things not infrequently, would be in a bad way!).