Paraphimosis

This is the inability to retract the foreskin of uncircumcised male above the glans penis (head of penis), leading to compromised blood supply to the penis.
It is good to distinguish it from Phimosis, which is the inability of the foreskin to retract from the head of the penis partially or completely.
Predisposing Factors
Infections - this is one of the commonest cause in young males, any infection around the foreskin can lead to inflammation (swelling) leading to unretract able foreskin above the head of the penis.
Trauma - In young males, the zipper of the trouser can pinch the foreskin forcefully pulling it back from the head.
Masturbation -Commonly seen with teenage males who are on sexual discovery, forcefully pulling the skin back.
Iatrogenic cause - this happens during examination of the penis by the doctor and somehow the skin fails to retract back to its normal position, prior to the examination.
Clinical Features
Paraphimosis is a clinical diagnosis.
The patient’s parents may report history of retracting the skin prior to onset of the symptoms.
The patient looks anxious because of the pain due to compromised blood supply.
It is important as well to ensure the patient is uncircumcised because hair tourniquet syndrome can mimic the condition.
The foreskin looks swollen at the unretractable point and red.
Treatment
Paraphimosis is a urological Emergency.Therefore, treatment should be instituted fast to relief the vascular compromise that is going on.
Pain can be controlled by oral pain medications or intravenous (veins).
The doctor may try to gently pull the skin back to its original place.
The doctor may also use a needle to burst the inflamed skin to release the swelling.
The above measures may fail and circumcision settled as the best alternative.
As a parent, it is important to look out for the above and save your baby’s life. Ensure the baby is dressed in underwear before putting on a trouser or a short with a zipper. At home before accessing a health facility, you can place ice cubes on the unretractable skin to relief the swelling and pain.