Paraphimosis: what is it, symptoms and treatment

Paraphimosis occurs when the foreskin becomes trapped and cannot retract to its normal position, possibly leading to the emergence of an infection or progressive tissue necrosis in this area.

Due to the fact that it can cause death of tissues, paraphimosis is an emergency situation, which must be treated as soon as possible.

The basic treatment of paraphimosis consists of covering the head of the penis with the foreskin, and it may be necessary to use a lubricant, anesthetic and even an injectable local anesthetic.

main symptoms

The most classic signs and symptoms of paraphimosis include:

• Inflammation of the penta del pene;
• intense pain;
• Changing the color of the penta del pene, which can be very red or bluish;
• Inflammation and swelling of the foreskin.

Paraphimosis usually occurs in children or adolescents up to 16 years of age, being more rare in adults.

Difference between paraphimosis and phimosis

Other than similar terms, paraphimosis and phimosis are different situations. La phimosis consists of an incapacity or greater difficulty in exposing the glans because the foreskin, which is the skin that it recovers, does not have sufficient opening. Know more about what is the phimosis, how it is diagnosed and the treatment.

Paraphimosis is a complication that can be caused by phimosis, and happens when the foreskin does not return to its normal position after being retracted, for example, by compressing the head of the penis.

Possible causes of paraphimosis

Paraphimosis occurs more frequently in children with phimosis or adolescents and adults with a history of infection in the genital organ, direct trauma, piercing in the area or in persons of the third age with a urinary catheter.

Eventually, paraphimosis can arise after a sexual relationship, when there is no adequate hygiene of the organ and the prepuce does not return to its place after the flaccidity.

How is the treatment performed?

As it can cause necrosis/death of tissue on the glans, paraphimosis is an emergency situation, which must be treated as quickly as possible. On the way to urological care, you can apply frozen compresses in the area to reduce pain and inflammation.

The treatment for phimosis varies according to the age and severity of the problem, but usually the first step consists of reducing the inflammation of the pene with the application of hielo and managing to cover the glans with the foreskin.

After the reduction of inflammation, the skin is manually reset to its normal position, generally under the effect of anesthesia, which can be a very painful process.

In the most serious cases, the urologist can indicate an emergency circumcision, in which the skin of the foreskin is completely removed through surgery to free the penis and prevent it from appearing again.