Care of the Uncircumcised Penis

What is an uncircumcised penis?

The penis, the outer reproductive organ of the male, consists of two parts —the shaft and the head (also called the ‘glans’). All boys are born with a foreskin, a layer of skin that covers the shaft and the glans. Some boys are circumcised, and the skin covering the glans is removed.

Other boys are not circumcised, leaving skin that covers the head of the penis.

What are the signs and symptoms of an uncircumcised penis?

When a child is not circumcised the foreskin remains firmly attached to the glans (head) of the penis. Gradually, as the child gets older, the foreskin will separate from the head of the penis. As this occurs you may notice a white, cheesy material, called smegma, released. This is the normal way for skin cells to shed from the head of the penis and is not an infection.

As the foreskin separates from the head of the penis, it can be pulled back or retracted to show the head of the penis. Foreskin retraction may happen immediately after birth, or it may take several years. Some boys can retract their foreskin as early as age 5, but most may not be able to do this until their teenage years.

How do I clean an uncircumcised penis?

Retraction of the foreskin should not be forced. This may cause pain and bleeding and can lead to scarring and penile adhesions (where skin becomes stuck to the head of the penis).

As your son begins to toilet train, teach him how to gently retract his foreskin with urination and bathing. Eventually, the foreskin should be able to be retracted far enough during urination to see the meatus (the hole where the urine comes from). This can help avoid urine dribbling.

This prevents urine from building up beneath the foreskin and possibly causing irritation or an infection.

As long as the foreskin doesn’t easily retract, only the outside needs to be cleaned. After cleaning, always gently pull the foreskin back over the glans (head) of the penis to cover it.

When should I call a doctor?

If the foreskin becomes red, inflamed or painful, you may need to see a doctor. Sometimes taking a photo of the area when the concern is occurring can assist us with proper diagnosis.