What are the treatments for phimosis?
If the foreskin cannot be pulled back into place treatment should be sought. If the blood flow to the penis is restricted then emergency treatment is required and if the foreskin cannot be pulled back a surgical cut to the trapped foreskin may be required. Failure to seek treatment can result in permanent damage to the penis. Once phimosis is diagnosed, the available treatments include topical corticosteroids, manual stretching, foreskin surgical repair or plastic surgery, and circumcision. Conservative treatments should be tried in the first instance and surgery used as the treatment of last resort. A number of studies show that phimosis can be safely and effectively treated by the application of topical steroids in 80-90% of cases. Betamethasone cream 0.05% should be applied to the exterior and interior of the tip of the foreskin two or three times a day. The treatment should be discontinued as ineffective after three months if the foreskin has not become retractile during this time.
