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There are cracks on my foreskin and I cannot pull it back. What should I do?

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There are cracks on my foreskin and I cannot pull it back. What should I do?

The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

Answered by

Dr. Mashfika N Alam

Medically reviewed by

iCliniq medical review team

Published At July 25, 2018
Reviewed AtJanuary 19, 2024

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

I have a problem with the foreskin. I cannot pull back the skin as it has developed cracks in the tip area. Please advice.

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

A cracked, irritated, or fissured foreskin could be due to a number of reasons.

If you have diabetes mellitus, both diagnosed or undiagnosed, it could cause a fungal infection of the foreskin leading to cracking.

If you are not a known case of diabetes, you must get your blood glucose level checked and keep it under strict control. You may use topical antifungal like Miconazole to treat it. Consult your specialist doctor, discuss with him or her, and with their consent take the medicines.

Also, you need to keep the area clean and dry.

Use lukewarm water to clean and avoid friction until it heals. This should work.

It could also be inflammation of the foreskin and the glans which can lead to fissuring and it is common in uncircumcised men.

Given your age, diabetes mellitus is a likely cause. Please check your blood glucose level.

If all else fails, you may need a prescription steroid cream or lastly a circumcision.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Mashfika N Alam

Dr. Mashfika N Alam

General Practitioner

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