Some parents wonder whether circumcision is a necessary
procedure for their child. While scientific studies show some
medical benefits of circumcision, these benefits are not
sufficient for the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) to
recommend that all infant boys be circumcised. However,
parents may want their sons circumcised for religious, social
and cultural reasons. Parents considering circumcision for
their sons often have similar questions about this procedure.
Here are a few of the more common concerns parents may have.
Is Circumcision Painful?
When done without pain medicine, circumcision is painful.
There are pain medicines available that are safe and
effective. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that
they be used to reduce pain from circumcision. Local
anesthetics can be injected into the penis to lower pain and
stress in infants. There are also topical creams that can
help. Talk to your pediatrician about which pain medicine is
best for your son. Problems with using pain medicine are rare
and usually not serious.
What Should I Expect for my Son After Circumcision?
After the circumcision, the tip of the penis may seem raw
or yellowish. If there is a bandage, it should be changed with
each diapering to reduce the risk of the penis becoming
infected. Petroleum jelly should be used to keep the bandage
from sticking. Sometimes a plastic ring is used instead of a
bandage. The plastic ring that is left on the tip of the penis
usually drops off within five to eight days. It takes about
seven to 10 days for the penis to fully heal after
circumcision.
Are There Any Problems That Can Happen After
Circumcision?
Problems after a circumcision are very rare. However, call
your pediatrician right away if
- Your baby does not urinate normally within six to eight
hours after the circumcision.
- There is persistent bleeding.
- There is redness around the tip of the penis that gets
worse after three to five days.
It is normal to have a little yellow discharge or coating
around the head of the penis, but this should not last longer
than a week. See your pediatrician if you notice any signs of
infection such as redness, swelling or foul-smelling drainage.
What if I Choose Not to Have my Son Circumcised?
If you choose not to have your son circumcised, talk to
your pediatrician about how to keep your son's penis clean.
When your son is old enough, he can learn how to keep his
penis clean just as he will learn to keep other parts of his
body clean.
The foreskin usually does not fully retract for several
years and should never be forced. The uncircumcised penis is
easy to keep clean by gently washing the genital area while
bathing. You do not need to do any special cleansing, such as
with cotton swabs or antiseptics.
Later, when the foreskin fully retracts, boys should be
taught how to wash underneath the foreskin every day. Teach
your son to clean his foreskin by:
- Gently pulling it back away from the head of the penis
- Rinsing the head of the penis and inside fold of the
foreskin with soap and warm water
- Pulling the foreskin back over the head of the penis
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