If you've decided to leave your child uncircumsized, pay attention to the foreskin. Prior to puberty, the foreskin may fit tightly around the head of the penis. In most circumstances, the foreskin will loosen up after puberty. This loosening will allow the foreskin to be pulled down away from the head of the penis. While your child is young, the skin may be too tight to do that. This can make hygiene more difficult. In rare circumstances, a condition known as phimosis can occur. Phimosis is a condition where the foreskin is so tight that it can't be moved at all. If that happens, it's important to know there are steps you can take to correct the condition. Here are three of those steps. 

Give It Time

As stated earlier, phimosis often resolves itself over time. Because of that, it's often best to just give it time. During your child's early years, focus on hygiene. Keep the area around the foreskin clean. Cleanliness helps prevent infections. It also helps reduce the foul odors that can develop under the foreskin. You don't need to force the skin during bath time. Simply wipe the area with a clean cloth. As your child gets older, you'll find that it's easier to move the skin away from the head of the penis. 

Loosen the Foreskin

If your child has significant phimosis, you may be able to loosen the foreskin. Loosening the foreskin helps relieve some of the pressure associated with phimosis. It also makes hygiene much easier. One way to loosen the foreskin is to use a steroid cream. Apply a small amount of steroid cream to the foreskin a couple of times each day for several weeks. After about a month, the foreskin will be soft enough to stretch. Once a day, stretch the foreskin gently back from the head of the penis. Be careful not to stretch too far, as this could cause pain and tearing. If your child is older, you can instruct them how to do this for themselves. 

Seek Medical Attention

If the steps above have not worked, you may need to seek medical attention. Problems with hygiene or pain may require additional intervention from your family physician. Circumcision will remove the foreskin and alleviate the problems. If you'd prefer, you can choose a partial circumcision. That's when only a small amount of the foreskin is removed from the penis. 

If phimosis is causing your child distress, use the methods provided above. These methods will help alleviate the problems your child is experiencing. Contact a doctor to learn more about possible phimosis cures.