ok, so i am 17 years old and am contemplating a circumcism. I have had a tight foreskin for a very long time, and notice a white ring of dry skin close to the tip, especially when attempting at an unsuccessful retraction. I have tried the stretching for a week and am not sure if i am doing it right or not. I know it takes time, but my foreskin is so tight that i cannot get a finger in there to try and seperate with some pressure. I need to know if, from what ive read, that topical steroid cream will fix this or, if surgery is a necessity or if i need to stretch some more.

If the tip is dry, you may have a problem with yeast. This would also cause a problem with tightness and the ability to stretch. There are some relatively inexpensive over the counter preparations marketed for female vaginal yeast infections which might be advisable to try. Surgery is so rarely needed that you needn't be concerned about that. Stretching works, but we need to determine if that dryness is a problem first. In your attempts to stretch, is their any pain or any cracking of the skin? How long has this situation existed? Are there any health problems?

I must confess to being a little curious - just why would you imagine wanting a circumcision?

Perhaps I should first ask whether you actually understand what a circumcision is? Can you describe what you think it does, and what benefit it might perhaps give you?

Incidentally, in continuation of what Jim has questioned, when you say "a tight foreskin for a very long time", what exactly do you mean?

You first need to thoroughly read Jims advice but just so you know, here is an image of one of the stretching techniques to help you a little:

<img></img> (jim - do you just use normal html for your image to show or what?)

This stretches that white ring that you describe. Also you should be puling the foreskin away from your body and holding too. Ideally 3 times a day for 10 minute+ periods I found to be affective.

what do you mean is the tip dry? like is the tip of the penis dry, or the end of the foreskin dry? I assume that you mean the end of the foreskin, which is not dry. Also how culd i have managed to get a yeast infection out of curiosity.

In your first message, you mentioned that the tip was dry. In what way? Is it crusty or cracking?

Yeast infections can be acquired in a number of ways. One common way is to get it from your partner. Another is to use the wrong products to clean your penis, such as soap which washes away the beneficial bacteria. Another is to be the victim of broad sprectrum antibiotics which kill the bacteria. Yet another is to be diabetic, secreting sugars which feed the yeast and allow it to get out of control.

Could you please be more specific in your description of the ring. Sometimes, the normal tightness of the frenar band simply pushes out the blood, making the little ring white. That's normal.

Have you actually done what Jake has illustrated? If so, how did it feel? Was there any difficulty in doing it?

not really any difficulty in doing it. Around 8 days ago i unfortunatly gave myself a couple of cuts while attempting to fix this problem myself. I tried to forcefully retract it which ended up hurting. When i do these excercises it does hurt after a while, i feel a sting, i assume it might be the small cuts. The white ring feels crusty, but not flaky. Though like i have mentioned, it is very tight and i could not fit my pinky finger in there.

I suspect yeast may be the problem. Try using one of the various products designed for yeast control. There is no harm in trying. If it works, first problem is solved. If not, we try something else without having caused a problem. Go easy with the stretching. The byword is gentle. Keep that in mind at all times. The body responds to ever so gentle pursuation when putting on inches, and the foreskin will respond in that manner likewise.

ok, well what kind of products would i purchase, and how much would it set me back.

Look for something with miconazole nitrate as the active ingredient. This is actually available in products that treat athletes foot, so you don't have to be embarassed to buy it. Expect to pay around $10+/- if you live in the US.

Thanks alot Jim, one more question for you, actually two. Will the miconazole nitrate, that i am looking for, will I be taking a pill of will it be a type of powder or lotion. Also when i buy this, and if it doesnt do anything, will i forsure not have a yeast infection. Thanks alot, you have been a great help. Woops one more thing, when you say it is in products that fix cure athletes foot, do you mean ill be buying a type of athletes foot treatment off the shelf.

You'll probably find several brands with identical active ingredients. They are creams in tubes. What you have described is a dry ring that has cracked. This is an indication of a yeast problem, so if you use the preparation and the situation doesn't clear up, you haven't spent a lot, nor have you caused a problem. Then you should see a doctor to get it analyzed.

Sorry for asking so many questions. Now once i buy this cream, i apply it to the tip or my penis, or the foreskin itself? how long will it take for the cream to start to work. Lastly, i have read of many symptoms of yeast infections, including itchyness, and even bad breath, what im getting at is a yeast infection something that affects your whole body, or in other cases, just affect your penis?

To the best of my knowledge, yeast lives in everyone. The particular on that I am familiar with is called Candida Albicans. Normally, the friendly bacteria in the body keep the yeast under control. However, the use of antibiotics can kill the bacteria and allow the yeast to flourish. There are many ways that too much yeast can affect the body. Bad breath is definitely one possible indication. Do you have any digestion problems, such as excessive gas? If that is the case, a trip to the doctor is highly advisable, because he can prescribe drugs to be taken internally.

If I were you, I would examine the area to determine how much is affected. If the problem is just at the end, then apply the ointment there.

well really, i dont know what im looking for when i look. The top of the foreskin looks reddish, and looks like there is like deadskin on it. i dont think i have bad breath, and i dont have excessive gas. Yea so what i see when i looks at the top of the foreskin is, its reddish from a certain point up, and what looks like deadskin. I had problems stretching, but wasn't sure if it was the accidental cuts, or that I have yeast.

or you can take some action. You are the one who described the situation, and now you don't know what to look for? Yeast problems can be localized in places such as the foreskin, and you could acquire it through sexual contact with another person who is intected. You could be diabetic. You might be using the wrong product to clean with. There are a number of causes. From what you have said, you have indications for a yeast problem. Unless you have been extremely rough with handling your penis, cuts just don't happen. The tissue is actually quite resilient and tough, so if it got cuts, something else is going on. You have nothing to lose by trying the suggested products except a few bucks. If it works, that problem is solved and you can get on with stretching. If not, see the doctor to determine the cause of the redness and itching. Without taking action, you are getting nowhere very slowly.

also i have experienced itchyness, that is why i asked.