YOUR CHILD’S HEALTH CARE/ GENITAL, GROIN AND URINARY TRACT PROBLEMS: FORESKIN
FORESKIN, HYGIENIC CARE OF THE
In young boys the foreskin covering the glans of the penis is usually not fully retractable until around the age of 4-5 years. Hygiene of the foreskin is very important and should be taught to your son from an early age. A white secretion (smegma) collects between the foreskin and the glans, and should be cleaned away carefully. In babies, gently pull the skin on the shaft of the penis away from the tip — do not do this more than once or twice a week initially, and never use force. Cleanse the area with water only, so that soap does not collect under the foreskin. If you cannot retract the foreskin at all, do not force it; it will gradually loosen up. Teach the older toddler to retract his own foreskin and wash here carefully once a week.
FORESKIN, PROBLEMS WITH THE
The normal penis Four per cent of boys have a retractable foreskin at birth; 50% at 1 year; 80% at 2 years; 90% at 4 years. The cleaning of the penis should be facilitated by gently retracting the foreskin as far as it goes, but never try to pull it back beyond the point where resistance is met.
Phimosis This is when the foreskin opening is very small, often as a result of inflammation, so that retraction of the foreskin is impossible. Sometimes the phimosis is so severe that there is no stream of urine, and it comes out in a dribble. Usually circumcision is necessary.
Paraphimosis This is when the foreskin is retracted and is unable to be returned to its normal position. This condition is often treated by circumcision too. Balanitis This is an inflammation of the foreskin. If it recurs, circumcision is often necessary.
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