Stool: can it be a problem and when?

Parents of boys are often concerned about whether their child has a stool. On the Internet, “stool in an infant” or “stool in a 4-year-old” are common search terms. The topic also worries adolescent boys. Below, we describe in detail the problem of stucco in children and adolescents.

What is a stoicism? Definition and symptoms.

Stool, otherwise known as phimosis, is a condition in which the foreskin cannot be pulled back completely, exposing the glans of the penis. Symptoms of stapes include difficulty in retracting the foreskin, including pain and in some cases a complete inability to retract the foreskin. Some patients have partial stool, in which the foreskin can be partially retracted, but not completely.

Stole in infants and younger children

In newborns and younger boys, the stool is considered a natural phenomenon and is then called “physiological stool”. Physiological stool, or the natural adhesion of the foreskin to the glans, is very common in newborns and young boys. In most newborn boys, the foreskin is “glued” to the glans and cannot be easily pulled off. This is a natural condition that does not require treatment.

Remember that foreskin retraction should not be forced on little boys, as it can lead to injury and scarring. There is no need for any special interventions, because usually as the boy grows, the foreskin naturally becomes more flexible, begins to separate from the glans and becomes more and more movable. This process can take several years and varies from boy to boy. If you have any concerns about your child’s stool, it is worth consulting your doctor.

Up to what age is a stool not a problem?

Many studies suggest that in most boys, physiologic stool resolves by the age of 3, although in some it may take longer, up to the age of 5-7. Nevertheless, symptoms such as pain and urinary problems are worth monitoring, and frequent infections should also be of concern. If the stool persists after this period or if there are the problems mentioned above, it is advisable to consult a pediatric surgeon.

Hygiene and stool in young children

Proper hygiene is key to preventing problems associated with the foreskin, but this absolutely does not mean that you should pull back the foreskin by force. This should definitely not be forced on the child, as it can lead to trauma and scarring that can aggravate the problem.

Hygiene in the case of a stool requires caution, but is still very important. When bathing, the foreskin should be washed gently from the outside with a mild soap. The foreskin should also be dried after bathing to prevent moisture buildup that could lead to infection. It is also not recommended to try to insert a facecloth or any other object under the foreskin, which could lead to injury.

If you have concerns about your newborn’s proper penis hygiene, it’s a good idea to consult your pediatrician or midwife during follow-up visits.

Stool in teenagers: Should I be worried?

If a teenager’s stool persists, it may require medical intervention. This is especially true when symptoms such as pain, trouble urinating, or repeated infections appear.

It’s worth knowing that a frenulum can have different degrees, depending on the extent to which the foreskin can be pulled back. The basic degrees of stool are:

• Grade I: The foreskin cannot be pulled back behind the glans when at rest, but it can be pulled back when erect.
• Grade II: The foreskin cannot be pulled back behind the glans either at rest or erect, but the urethral outlet is visible.
• Grade III: The foreskin cannot be pulled back behind the glans, and the urethral outlet is partially visible.
• Grade IV: The foreskin cannot be pulled back behind the glans, and the urethral outlet is not visible.

Partial stool, a condition in which the foreskin can be partially retracted, can lead to the same problems as full-blown stool, including inflammation or infection. The degree of the stool can affect the decision on treatment, but this is decided by the doctor, who selects the appropriate treatment after an examination.

It’s worth noting that a frenulum can lead to a condition called paraphimosis, when the foreskin, when pulled back, does not return to its normal state. This is a condition that requires immediate medical attention.

Treatment of stapes: Medications and treatments

The right place to consult about a child’s stool is a specialized pediatric clinic, where a pediatric surgeon can suggest various forms of treatment, depending on the child’s age, symptoms and overall health. A pediatrician or family doctor can refer a patient to a surgical clinic on the National Health Service, if he or she determines the need. Pediatric surgeon outpatient clinics operating for a fee do not require a referral.

In Poland, stuttering is most often treated conservatively. The first step is usually drug treatment. Steroid ointments are used to increase the elasticity of the skin and are designed to bring about an increase in the size of the so-called “skin of the skin. foreskin ring. It is completely safe for the patient and does not involve excessive absorption of steroids into the body.

When drug treatment is unsuccessful, surgical procedures are considered. Circumcision, which involves the complete removal of the foreskin, used to be a more commonly performed procedure, and its performance is also culturally determined. Nowadays, less invasive methods, such as foreskin plasty, are increasingly being used to increase the stretch of the foreskin without removing it. On the Internet you can find articles about methods involving gradual stretching of the foreskin with special rings, but their effect is not clearly confirmed. Remember that any treatment decision must be made by a doctor. A visit to a surgeon or urologist is nothing to be ashamed of and acting on your own can have unpleasant consequences.

Stool – consequences in adulthood

Although the majority of cases of childhood stools resolve on their own, untreated stools can lead to problems in adulthood. An unsuccessful course and lack of treatment can lead to a number of health problems. Possible consequences are:

• Paraphimosis: a condition already mentioned that requires urgent intervention. It occurs when the retracted foreskin cannot return to its place, causing the skin to twist and tighten, leading to pain, swelling and urinary problems.
• Foreskin infections: a stool can make it difficult to hygienically clean the penis, increasing the risk of infection.
• Urination problems: severe stool can make it difficult to urinate or cause incomplete emptying of the bladder, which can lead to urinary tract infections and other problems.
• Urinary tract infections: In some instances, a stool can increase the risk of urinary tract infections.
• Discomfort and pain: Stole can cause pain, especially during erection in teenagers and men.
• Sexual dysfunction: In adult males, untreated frenulum can lead to sexual problems, such as pain during intercourse or difficulty maintaining an erection.

Treatment of stool – in the past and today

Over the years, attitudes toward stools have changed, especially in young children. In the past, if the foreskin was unable to move freely, doctors often decided to perform surgery. Many surgeons now perform less invasive procedures, such as foreskin plication, during which the foreskin is gently stretched to improve its elasticity, instead of performing circumcision, which involves the complete removal of the foreskin.

In addition, the treatment of stool in young boys does not always require surgical intervention. Often, physiologic stool, which is the norm in newborns and small boys, resolves spontaneously without the need for any intervention. When the problem does not go away on its own, drug treatments such as steroid ointments are increasingly used to help gradually stretch the foreskin. The change in approach is due to new scientific evidence and a greater understanding of developmental processes in children. Practice shows that non-invasive methods are often effective and have fewer complications, which is especially important for young children.

However, in some cases, when the stool leads to repeated infections, urinary problems, or inflammation, surgical intervention may be necessary. The decision on whether or not to operate is always made by the doctor based on an individual assessment of the patient’s condition.

Summary:

Stool is a condition where the foreskin cannot be pulled back, which is normal in newborns and young boys (physiological stool), but may require treatment if it persists longer (pathological stool). Hygiene is important, but do not forcefully pull back the foreskin. The treatment of stools depends on age and severity of symptoms, and may include steroid ointments, foreskin retraction exercises, and sometimes surgical intervention. Treatment principles have evolved to minimize surgical interventions. Treatment decisions should be made after consultation with a urologist or pediatric surgeon.

At Gustav – Children’s Clinic (Warsaw, Poland), the diagnosis of stool is made by pediatric surgeon Maria Jablonska.

For example, images showing what a staple looks like can be found in the following medical articles:

• Male Circumcision and Infection – illustrates the process of “detachment” of the foreskin in children

• Experiences in The Care and Treatment of Children and Adolescents with Phimosis – presents the degrees of stapes