My 14 month old son has phimosis and we're trying the betamethasone cream before his circumcision to see if we can avoid the surgery.
I have some questions about this stretching process I was hoping someone might have some insight on. First, I don't know how much cream to put on--I've just put a dab on the tip. Should I put more on? Second, why did the doc prescribe 0.1 Betamethasone instead of 0.05? I've been reading all over the place that 0.05 Betamethasone is what is prescribed most--just wondering. Last question--What is the best way to gently stretch the foreskin of a wiggly toddler?
Thanks for any help!!:wave:

You have been sadly misinformed. All boys are born with phimosis. The foreskin is attached to the head, to protect the head from uric acid in urine, and from infection from feces. At some time between birth and typically puberty, the foreskin loosens up enough so that the boy can retract on his own. Real phimosis cannot possibly be diagnosed at 14 months. There is no reason to expect that he would be able to retract at that age, and applying betamethasone cream to force a premature retraction is overreacting.
Use a search engine to find the Oster study, which showed the various age at which Danish boys could retract their foreskins.
Medical misinformation caused us to circumcise our son, when he was three, when doctors were telling us the same kinds of things. It was anatomically incorrect then, and it is incorrect now. No one should even attempt to pull back a foreskin before it has separated by itself. Doing this can cause adhesions. The bond is wounded, and the foreskin can heal to the head. Your doctor has likely tried this. My first action would be to inform the doctor that he or she has incorrect expectations, and show them the Oster study. My second would be to find a doctor who is more knowledgeable about human anatomy. My third would be to ask the boy when he is older, if he can retract, and if he has adhesions, so that they can be taken care of.
The time for betamethasone is much later, like pubery or adulthood, if a real problem exists at that time.