Zipper Injury: How to Care for Your Child

Sometimes the skin of the penis can get caught in a zipper, typically when a male is zipping their fly up or down. The health care provider was able to free your child's skin from the zipper. There may be small cuts, bruising, or swelling where the penis was caught in the zipper. Zipper injuries usually heal quickly and don't cause lasting harm to the penis.

Follow your health care provider's advice for: 

• using any ointments to prevent infection

• covering and cleaning the wound

• going to see a urologist (a doctor who specializes in the urinary system)

If your child has pain:

• You can give acetaminophen (Tylenol^® or a store brand) or ibuprofen (Advil^®, Motrin^®, or a store brand). Don't give ibuprofen to babies under 6 months old. Follow the package directions for how much to give and how often.

• They can take a warm bath with plain water a few times a day. 

• If the tip of the penis was injured, it may hurt to pee for a few days. It can be more comfortable for your child to pee while taking a bath.

Your child:

• has pain that gets worse

• can't pee

• has a lot of bleeding from the wound

• has blood in the pee

• has a wound on the penis that isn't healing within a week or that gets red, swollen, or drains pus

What can help prevent zipper injuries? Remind your child to pay attention and take their time when zippering so that the zipper is away from the skin.