The condition is called phimosis. You can read in the article about the signs of phimosis, who develops it, and how it is treated.
The term phimosis, which denotes tight foreskin problems, is derived from the Greek word ‘phimos’, meaning ‘muzzle’. Phimosis usually develops in male infants and younger boys, and there is often no need for treatment because it disappears by itself by puberty.
There are three stages of phimosis. The first is primary or congenital phimosis: the foreskin is tight because it is attached to the head of the penis, but it is not too tight and doesn't cause any problems. The second is secondary or acquired phimosis where the foreskin is so tight that it cannot be pulled back even when it has already been separated from the head of the penis. The third is acquired phimosis which mostly develops in older men and can be a result of a long-lasting, recurrent infection. A contracted foreskin cannot be pulled back from the head of the penis, which may cause difficulties in passing urine and sexual intercourse.
Signs of phimosis are weak flow of urine from the penis, pain when passing urine, the swelling of foreskin when passing urine, and the fact that one cannot pull back the foreskin.
At birth, every baby boy has the foreskin attached to the mucous membrane of the glans (head of the penis). The foreskin prevents the development of inflammation of the mucous membrane – ammoniacal dermatitis. The foreskin should be peeled off at the age of two or even later. It's best if a paediatrician or urologist retracts the foreskin from the penis.
If an urologist or general physician determines there is a case of phimosis, he can suggest circumcision. The operation lasts for about 45 minutes and is performed under general anaesthesia. The child can go home after the surgery.
There are about 20 different ways of treating phimosis. Along with the surgical procedure, there are of course other ways of treating the problem. A physician prescribes treatment with regard to the stage of phimosis that a boy finds himself in. Less aggressive methods for treating milder forms of phimosis are manual stretching of the foreskin and treatment with corticosteroids.
Undeveloped foreskin in a child should not be pulled back by force because of “hygiene” or any other reason, as this can damage the developing tissue. Excessive washing with soap can also damage it, so you have to be very careful.