The uncircumcised penis requires no special care. It can be kept clean with a gentle soap and warm water wash daily. No attempt should be made to retract the foreskin until it can be pulled back with ease. Then, your son should be taught to pull his foreskin back gently to clean its inner surface and the glans with soap and water.

It should be thoroughly rinsed with water before being dried with a towel. The foreskin must always be brought back to its usual position covering the glans after washing.

It is important not to retract the foreskin forcefully for any reason. Some parents feel the need to pull the foreskin back to “clean under it”. Since the young boy’s inner foreskin and the glans are initially fused, there is no space to clean.

Forceful retraction also may lead to cracking and bleeding of the foreskin tip. Over time, this may cause scarring of the tip making retraction impossible. Circumcision may then be necessary.

Occasionally, a problem with the foreskin may require medical attention.

• All over the body, skin cells are shed continuously as they die off and are replaced by new ones. This turnover usually occurs without notice. Cell replacement also takes place on the inner foreskin and glans. When the foreskin is not yet retractable, the dead skin cells may build up into soft, yellow or white lumps apparent under the skin. This is called smegma. This buildup is a natural and harmless process that may help separate the foreskin from the glans. The smegma will eventually work its way out as the foreskin becomes retractable.
• In some boys, the foreskin may be retractable even if the tip is a bit narrow. If the foreskin is replaced over the glans shortly after your child voids or bathes, this narrowing should not cause any trouble. In time the tight area should stretch and disappear. However, if your child leaves the foreskin retracted, this narrow ring may become trapped behind the glans causing pain and swelling of the penis. This is called a paraphimosis. Medical attention should be sought promptly so that the foreskin can be brought down.
• In the diapered baby, irritating substances in the urine may cause inflammation with redness and swelling of the foreskin. Inflammation can be managed simply with more frequent diaper changes, the application of antibiotic ointment (e.g. Polysporin™) to the foreskin tip and regular bathing. In some cases the entire penis may become red, swollen and tender (balanitis). In this case, the child should be seen by a doctor who may prescribe a course of oral antibiotics.
• As the inner foreskin separates from the glans, some areas may remain attached. These attachments are called adhesions. Most boys will have adhesions at some time. As the inner foreskin continues to separate, these adhesions usually break down on their own. By the age of 17, they should have all disappeared. The adhesions should not be forcefully broken down – time and normal exploratory behaviour will take care of them as your child ages.
• In some boys with incompletely retractable foreskins, voiding may causeballooning of the foreskin with urine. The ballooning disappears as the urine dribbles out through the foreskin opening. This is not harmful. Rarely, the entire penis may become swollen with voiding and urine must be squeezed out of the foreskin. This condition is called megaprepuce and requires referral to a us and we will often recommend a circumcision.
• Persistent narrowing of the foreskin preventing retraction after the age at which it should normally come back easily is called phimosis. This may be the result of delayed maturation or scarring of the foreskin tip. In some cases, the foreskin will soften up and become retractable with the use of a steroid ointment. In others, circumcision may be necessary.

The foreskin is a normal part of your child’s anatomy. With proper care and understanding of its natural development, foreskin problems can be avoided. If you have concerns regarding your child’s foreskin, please do not hesitate to discuss them with your doctor.