You are most likely no different from other new parents when it comes to thinking about circumcision- you’d rather not. However, if you do decide to circumcise your newborn, you will need to know how to help facilitate the healing process and be prepared for any special requirements that are involved in caring for a circumcised child, especially when it comes to hygiene. The majority of this care will be when your child is very young- most likely the first few days of his life.

After the procedure is performed, the physician or nurse will wrap the area in a petroleum jelly gauze dressing, which will need to be replaced every time you change your child’s diaper- at least for the first 24 hours. It is most important to keep the circumcised area as clean as possible, even while it is going through the healing process. This can be done by gently cleaning the area warm, soapy water and wiping with a cotton ball- at least twice a day. (It is important to point out that diaper wipes should not be used to clean this area, as they can be too harsh for the fresh wound.) For the next three to five days, petroleum jelly should be used directly on the penis to help minimize any discomfort that might be felt from friction between the penis and the diaper, in addition to making sure the wound does not stick to the diaper surface- fresh coats can be applied at every diaper change. Depending on the preference of your physician, he or she may recommend using a layer of antibiotic ointment (such as Neosporin) on the wound, especially if they are concerned about safeguarding the area from infection. You should watch the wounded area closely during the healing process to make sure that skin bridges do not form- this can happen when the remaining foreskin on the penis begins to grow over the head of the penis. It is always best to contact your physician if this occurs instead of attempting to tear apart this fusion yourself.

During the first few days, a soft scab will form over the wounded area, which will stay anywhere between 7 to 10 days. At this time, the scab will simply fall off, which indicates the infant’s penis has completed the healing stage. From this point on, there is no need for specialized care of the area other than normal cleansing, although the area may appear unhealthy initially. It is not uncommon for the head of the penis to look swollen, inflamed, or red, or to find traces of blood or yellow discharge present during diaper changes. However, at your infant’s first checkup after his birth, your doctor will inspect the penis and will give any necessary information about specialized care at that time, if applicable.

Although complications from circumcision are rare, there are a few that you should be aware of. You should contact your physician immediately if you notice any of the following: a significant amount of blood coming from the wound, increasing redness or swelling, the head of the penis becomes discolored (blue or black), fever, mucus-filled blisters develop, or if your child is still not urinating normally 12 hours after the procedure is completed.

When your son becomes old enough to clean himself on his own, he should be educated on the importance of keeping good genital hygiene. Most parents feel most comfortable with the father (or another male family member) being responsible to teach the child this information.

Posted in Circumcision

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