info on tight band at tip of foreskin ?

[hummingbear]

2 yr old DS has pain sometimes when erect.

A man told me that sometimes the band at the end of the foreskin can be too tight. He wasn't suggesting it just stated it can be so.

Anyone know more about this?

Ann

[Frankly Speaking]

What he was refering to is called phimosis. There are two types of phimosis. One is developmental phimosis and almost every boy has this. It is a normally tight preputial sphincter that protects the glans and allows continued development. At some time in the child's life, this will become elastic and the foreskin will stretch to allow easy retraction over the glans.

The other type of phimosis is pathological phimosis and is not normal. It is caused by infection, disease or repeated trauma such as repeated forcible retraction.

Here is an article that discusses the two types and illustrates the difference:

http://www.mja.com.au/public/issues/...w10610_fm.html


What your son has is normal and natural and nothing need to be done. Most likely he will become elastic somewhere between the ages of 3 and 7 years old. The pain he experiences with erections is normal adhesions breaking down but some areas are still attached. This is short lived and the pain is not severe, just a discomfort regardless of how he complains. As the normal adhesions break down the pain will end. Probably what he is feeling is closer to a severe itch than pain. Unfortunately, it is an itch he can't get to to scratch.





Frank

[Sarah]

My idea about what that pain from erections is... (I am just guessing on this) is that most of the adhesions have broken down, but maybe a few little patches of it may remain- which means that all the pull is getting focused on one tiny part of the surface of his glans. If he were to pull his foreskin outward- it would shift the whole arrangement forward and take the tension off that spot. So my solution would be to tell him if it is ouchie to gently pull out to make more room. If that fixes the pain, that was probably the problem.


Love Sarah

[Gitti]

I agree with both post above, I just want to add let him run naked in the house for an hour here and there so that he can work the foreskin all by himself.
That will loosen it up.
My grandson went through that stage several times and we were perplexed, but it always solved itself.
He needs time to play with his penis to help the separation process. He knows what to do, and he'll do it naturally but he does have to be able to get at it.

[Frankly Speaking]

Gitti:

Every time I see a recommendation for "Bare Butt" time, it makes me think about little native boys I have seen on National Geographic specials. They run naked all of the time and have plenty of opportunities to "work it." I can see that our advanced notions of diapers and clothing works against nature and prevent them from doing what Mother Nature is instructing them to do.



Frank

[hummingbear]

no one's modest here

DS has been out of diapers since his 2nd birthday and does spend a significant amount of time without pants on. He still does not have the tendency to play with himself much. No message from us to keep hands off, so I am baffled. Lately it has helped to put him in his carseat without pants on; he will hold himself to relieve the discomfort. He does seem to have quite sensitive skin so perhaps he is more discomforted by the process of seperation. Warmer weather should help the situation with lighter clothing I think. (edited to add:..... since heavier weight pants seem to be one of the things that bothers him.)

Ann