What to do if the foreskin is too long or shorten the foreskin

Excessive foreskin can be improved by keeping the area clean, manual dilation, drug treatment, circumcision, laser surgery, etc. Excessive foreskin may be related to genetic factors, local inflammatory stimulation, developmental abnormalities, penile trauma, balanitis and other factors.

1. Keep the area clean

Wash the foreskin and glans with warm water every day to remove smegma and avoid bacterial growth. Be gentle when cleaning to avoid tearing the foreskin by forcefully turning it over. Keeping the area dry after cleaning can reduce the probability of balanitis. Choose breathable cotton underwear to avoid local moisture and heat. If there is smegma accumulation, follow your doctor's advice and use saline to flush it out.

2. Technique expansion

Prepubescent children can try to gently push and pull the foreskin backward to gradually expand the foreskin opening. Clean your hands before operation and apply medical Vaseline to reduce friction. The expansion time is controlled at 1-2 minutes each time and repeated 1-2 times a day. If pain or bleeding occurs, stop immediately. This method needs to be adhered to for a long time under the guidance of a doctor and is suitable for people with mild foreskin.

3. Drug treatment

When combined with balanitis, topical drugs such as erythromycin ointment, clotrimazole cream, and compound ketoconazole ointment can be used as directed by the doctor. Mupirocin ointment can be used for bacterial infection, and miconazole nitrate cream can be used for fungal infection. Clean the affected area before use and apply a thin layer 2-3 times a day. Medication cannot change the length of the foreskin and can only relieve secondary inflammation.

4. Circumcision

Traditional surgery to remove excessive foreskin is suitable for patients with recurrent infections or phimosis. The operation takes 20-30 minutes and is sutured with absorbable sutures. The dressing needs to be changed regularly after surgery and the incision needs to be disinfected with iodophor. Complications include bleeding, infection, incision dehiscence, etc. Avoid strenuous exercise for 1 month after surgery, and resume sexual life after 6 weeks. Stapled circumcision has the characteristics of less bleeding and faster healing.

5. Laser surgery

Carbon dioxide laser vaporization removes excess foreskin with minimal intraoperative bleeding. The laser can precisely control the cutting range and preserve the integrity of the tie. The postoperative pain is mild and the wound healing time is 7-10 days. Antibiotic ointment needs to be used prophylactically to avoid urine contamination of the wound. Local edema may occur, which usually resolves spontaneously within 2 weeks. Laser surgery causes less scarring, but costs more than traditional surgery.

People with foreskin should avoid using harsh cleaning products such as soap and choose a pH-neutral shower gel. Reduce the intake of spicy food in your daily diet, and drink more water to promote urination and flushing. People who have not had surgery need to cleanse before and after sex and use condoms to reduce the risk of infection. Avoid activities that put pressure on the penis, such as riding a bicycle, for 3 months after surgery. Regularly review and evaluate recovery status, and seek medical attention promptly if there are signs of infection such as redness, swelling, and pus. Parents of pediatric patients should monitor their development and consider surgical intervention if the glans cannot be exposed after puberty.