Your son's penis has a hood of skin, called the foreskin, around the tip (also called the "head" or "glans"). This foreskin is not able to be retracted (pulled all the way back). This is called phimosis (fy-MOH-sis).

Phimosis usually does not cause any pain. Most boys are able to urinate (pee) normally. Proper care of the foreskin is important to prevent infection. As boys get older, the foreskin gradually loosens and usually can be pulled back by the time boys reach puberty.

In some boys, phimosis is more likely to cause problems, such as an infection or trouble peeing. In these cases, a cream or ointment may be prescribed to help loosen the foreskin. In rare cases, surgery is recommended.

Proper care of the foreskin is important to prevent infection and other problems. Follow these guidelines:

• In babies, wash the penis during bath time with a gentle soap and lukewarm water.
• Do not force the foreskin back. This may cause pain, tearing, bleeding, or scarring.
• If the foreskin pulls back, clean and dry the head and foreskin during bathing. Afterward, pull the foreskin back up to cover the head.
• You may notice white clumps under the foreskin. These are made up of dead skin cells that fall off. They are a good sign that the foreskin is loosening.
• As your son gets older, teach him to properly wash his penis and return the foreskin to its normal position, covering the head of the penis.

Your son:

• has redness, swelling, or bleeding of the foreskin or head of the penis
• was able to pull back the foreskin, but now cannot
• has trouble peeing (for example, the urine stream is crooked, shoots off in different directions, or dribbles)
• has a foreskin that "balloons" during peeing
• has pain with peeing
• has painful erections

• Your son cannot pee.
• Your son's foreskin is pulled back and cannot return to its normal position covering the head.
• The head of the penis is swollen, very painful, or has any change in skin color.

Is phimosis always present at birth? No. An injury to the foreskin can cause phimosis in older boys and adults who did not have it before. Often, this is due to the foreskin being forcibly pulled back before it's ready, or from an infection of the foreskin or glans.