What is Penile Zipper Entrapment

Penis skin trapped in a zipper is a common injury for young boys. It happens more often among boys who are not circumcised or are not wearing underwear.

Sometimes the penis pulls away from the zipper, causing a skin tear or bruise. Other times, the penis skin gets stuck inside the zipper (entrapment).

If your child’s penis skin gets trapped in a zipper, do not try to release it yourself. It should be released by a health care provider. Before freeing your child’s penis skin, your child’s health care provider may give your child:

• An injection of medicine to numb the area (local anesthetic).
• Medicine to make him sleep through the procedure (general anesthesia).

Then, your child’s health care provider may:

• Lubricate the zipper and then try to unzip it and get the penis skin out.
• Cut the zipper with a wire cutter.
• Treat any cuts in your child’s skin.

Follow these instructions at home:

Follow instructions from your child’s health care provider for care at home after the zipper entrapment has been treated.

• Give your child over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your child’s health care provider.
  • If your child was prescribed antibiotic medicine to be taken by mouth (orally), have your child take the antibiotic as directed. Do not let your child stop taking the antibiotic even if your child starts to feel better.
  • If your child was given an antibiotic cream or ointment, have your child use it as directed. Do not let your child stop using the antibiotic cream or ointment even if your child’s condition improves.
• Do not let your child bathe, swim, or use a hot tub until your child’s health care provider approves.
• Let your child return to his normal activities as told by his health care provider. Ask what activities are safe for your child.
• Make sure that your child wears underwear.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your child’s health care provider. This is important.

Contact a health care provider if:

• Your child develops a fever.
• Your child has pain that gets worse.
• Your child’s penis becomes red, swollen, warm, or painful to touch.
• Your child has any bleeding or oozing from his penis.