How to treat excessive foreskin in men

Male foreskin can be treated through daily cleaning and care, medication, circumcision, foreskin expansion, and cerclage. Excessive foreskin may be related to factors such as genetic factors, local inflammatory stimulation, abnormal penile development, stenosis of the foreskin orifice, and repeated infections. It usually presents with symptoms such as inability to evert the foreskin, difficulty urinating, accumulation of smegma, repeated balanitis, and urinary tract infection.

1. Daily cleaning and care

Wash the foreskin and glans with warm water every day and keep the area dry and clean. When cleaning, gently lift the foreskin to remove smegma, and avoid using harsh lotions. For mild foreskin without infection or complications, consistent cleaning and care can reduce the probability of inflammation. Wipe dry immediately after cleaning and choose breathable cotton underwear to reduce friction.

2. Drug treatment

When combined with balanitis, topical anti-infective drugs such as erythromycin ointment, clotrimazole cream, and compound ketoconazole cream can be used as directed by the doctor. If accompanied by urinary tract infection, oral administration of antibiotics such as cefaclor dispersible tablets and levofloxacin tablets is required. Drugs can only relieve secondary infections but cannot change the anatomical structure of the foreskin, so they need to be combined with other treatment measures.

3. Circumcision

The excess foreskin is surgically removed to completely expose the glans, which is suitable for patients with recurrent infections or phimosis. Traditional surgery uses scissors or laser resection, and post-operative pressure bandaging and oral administration of cefprozil granules are required to prevent infection. This surgery can completely solve the problem of excessive foreskin, but there is a risk of short-term complications such as bleeding and edema.

4. Foreskin dilation

The device can gradually expand the foreskin opening to improve the difficulty of foreskin eversion, and is suitable for patients with mild foreskin orifice stenosis. During the treatment, dexamethasone ointment needs to be used to reduce edema, and after expansion, manual exposure training needs to be continued to maintain the effect. This method is less invasive but has a higher probability of recurrence and requires long-term follow-up observation.

5. Circumcision

A special cerclage device is used to ligate the excess foreskin so that it can fall off naturally. The operation time is short and there is less bleeding. Mupirocin ointment needs to be applied after surgery to prevent infection. The cerclage usually falls off on its own within 7-10 days. This method is suitable for children and those who are unwilling to undergo traditional surgery, but there is significant postoperative pain and the risk of early detachment of the cerclage.

Patients with foreskin should avoid wearing tight pants to reduce local friction, and should eat a light and less spicy diet. During the postoperative recovery period, strenuous exercise and sexual intercourse are prohibited. Abnormal redness, swelling, and exudation require prompt follow-up. It is recommended to conduct urinary system examinations every six months, and those with underlying diseases such as diabetes should give priority to blood sugar control. Parents of child patients should regularly assist in cleaning and observe urination. Early medical intervention is recommended for severe phimosis before puberty.