Care of the Uncircumcised
Penis
The penis, the outer reproductive organ of the male,
consists of two parts - the shaft and the glans. The glans is the tip of
the penis, while the shaft is the main part of the penis. All boys are
born with a foreskin, or a covering over the tip of the penis. Some boys
are circumcised, which means that this covering of skin is removed.
Other boys are not circumcised and may have skin that covers the tip of
the penis. The decision to circumcise a baby boy may depend on many
factors, including the parent's preference, religion, and where the
child is born.
In an uncircumcised boy, the foreskin will begin to
separate from the glans, or the tip of the penis. This happens naturally
while the male is an infant. This is called foreskin retraction.
Foreskin retraction may happen immediately after birth, or it may take
several years. Most foreskins can be fully retracted by the time the
male is 18 years old. Retraction of the foreskin, or pulling the
foreskin back from the tip of the penis, should not be forced. If the
foreskin is forced to retract, it may result in bleeding and discomfort.
How to care for the uncircumcised penis:
As an adolescent, the uncircumcised male should retract, or pull back,
the foreskin and clean underneath it daily. It should be a part of his
daily hygiene routine. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) states
that the foreskin should be cleansed by following the steps below:
- Gently, not forcefully, pull the foreskin away from
the tip of the penis.
- Rinse the tip of the penis and the inside part of
the foreskin with soap and water.
- Return the foreskin back over the tip of the penis.
Always consult your adolescent's physician for more
information.
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