Care of the Uncircumcised Penis

Circumcision of infant males in America is no longer the routine procedure that it once was. The American Academy of Pediatrics does not recommend that infants be circumcised in order to prevent infection and disease. While the majority of parents still choose to have their infant son circumcised more and more parents are choosing to leave their sons uncircumcised, or intact. Many of those parents are unsure of how to care for the intact penis. Here are a few guidelines for the tending of the uncircumcised penis.

First, the intact penis of a baby requires little care. Never retract, or force, the foreskin back over the glans (or head) of the penis. In most boys under the age of three, the foreskin is attached to the glans of the penis and retracting it could cause damage. The tissue that connects the foreskin and glans of the uncircumcised penis will disappear gradually over time. A good rule to follow is that the first person to retract a child’s foreskin should be the child himself!

Once the foreskin is retractable a boy can be taught how to properly care for his uncircumcised penis. Simply retracting the foreskin and rinsing the glans with warm water is enough to keep it clean. He may pat it dry if he’d like. When he is old enough to understand he may remind him that certain activities come with the responsibility of keeping his penis clean.

There are a few things that may cause a baby’s foreskin to become red or irritated. Diapers that aren’t changed enough can cause irritation. Soap or baby wash might also cause inflammation. The use of antibiotics may cause some baby’s urine to change and in turn cause redness. If your child does not get enough water, the urine may become too concentrated and burn or sting the foreskin. Giving a child more water or time without a diaper will help just as it aids in healing diaper rash.

A parent biggest job in caring for their son’s uncircumcised penis is to leave it alone and later show their son how to care for it himself. If concerns arise about issues with or the care of the uncircumcised penis, parents should talk with their son’s pediatrician.