The foreskin has several roles in penis health:
- Protects the head of the penis
- Maintains sensation and response to stimulation
- Reduces friction with sexual penetration
- Contributes to immune system function due to the presence of immune cells
What is the foreskin?
The foreskin is a sheath of skin that covers the head of the penis and is fully attached to the penis at birth. In newborns, the foreskin cannot be retracted or pulled back. During this stage, parents should not retract their child’s foreskin to clean the penis.
Over time, the foreskin separates from the penis head and can be pulled back. At this stage, parents can teach their boys to pull back the foreskin to clean the penis regularly.
What are the risks of having a foreskin?
Due to the damp nature of the foreskin, it is easier for germs to thrive and cause infection, which can lead to an increased risk of the following:
- Urinary tract infection
- Sexually transmitted infections
- Inflammation
- Penile disorders such as balanoposthitis,paraphimosis, andphimosis
- Penilecancer
Should a male child undergo circumcision?
Circumcisioninvolves the removal of the foreskin, and there is some debate over whether or not this practice is necessary or advisable. Factors that may affect a parent’s decision on the issue include culture, religion, and personal preferences.
The American Academy of Family Physicians suggests that parents discuss with their pediatrician about the potential benefits and risks of circumcision before making a decision.
According to the American Academy of儿科(AAP), the benefits of circumcision outweigh the risks. However, the benefits are not great enough to make circumcision a requirement for all newborns.
When is circumcision recommended?
The following conditions can affect the foreskin:
- Phimosis:Condition in which the foreskin remains attached to the penis and doesn’t separate when it should
- Balanoposthitis:Inflammation of the foreskin and head of the penis
- Paraphimosis:Condition in which the foreskin gets stuck behind the head of the penis
- Posthitis:Infection of the foreskin
These conditions may necessitate circumcision.
When should circumcision be avoided?
Some conditions where surgical removal of the foreskin should be avoided include the following:
- Premature birth
- Chordee (abnormalcurvature of the penis)
- Hypospadias (urethral opening on the base of the penis instead of at the tip)
- Epispadias (urethral opening on the upper surface of the penis)
- Concealed or buried penis
- Micropenis (abnormally small penis)
- Webbed penis (the scrotum is attached to the penis by a web of skin)
- Ambiguous genitals
- Bleeding disorders
QUESTION
Newborn babies don't sleep very much.See AnswerHow can you help your child clean their foreskin?
Regular cleaning and hygiene of the foreskin are extremely crucial for penile health.
Before age 1
- Clean the foreskin only.
- Do not retract the foreskin.
- Avoid putting cotton swabs into the opening.
After age 1
Once the foreskin starts to retract, clean beneath it to prevent infections:
- Wash the exposed part of the penis with warm water and dry it.
- Avoid washing the area with soap.
- Wipe away any whitish material (smegma).
- Clean the area at least once a week.
If any attempt to retract the foreskin has led to a small cut or tear, thewoundcan be cared for with
- antibiotic ointment such as Polysporin or
- petroleum jelly.
"Circumcision." Sept. 8, 2020. FamilyDoctor.org.
"Circumcision." Jan. 23, 2021. Cleveland Clinic.
Top What Is the Foreskin Good For Related Articles
Baby Skin Care: Tips to Keep Newborn’s Skin Healthy
Baby skin care products can help with peeling, rashes, baby acne, and dryness that can develop on a newborn baby's skin. Develop a baby skin care routine to pamper your baby’s skin.
Newborn Skin Care
See what normal newborn skin looks like and learn how to care for it. WebMD shows you diapering and bathing tips.
Breastfeeding (and Formula Feeding)
It's important to know whether you will breastfeed or bottle-feed your baby prior to delivery, as the breasts' ability to produce milk diminishes soon after childbirth without the stimulation of breastfeeding. Breast milk is easily digested by babies and contains infection-fighting antibodies and cholesterol, which promotes brain growth. Formula-fed babies actually need to eat somewhat less often since formula is less readily digested by the baby than human milk. This article explores the advantages and disadvantages of both forms of feeding.
Circumcised vs. Uncircumcised: What's the Difference?
Males are born with a hood of skin that covers the head of their penis. This hood is called the foreskin. The surgical removal of this foreskin is called circumcision. The circumcision is mostly done in childhood and may be done for either religious or medical purposes.
Circumcision Pros and Cons
The list of medical pros and cons regarding circumcision is long. Though the American Academy of Pediatrics has repeatedly stated that "there is no absolute medical indication for routine circumcision of the newborn," it has been shown that uncircumcised men have a higher incidence of urinary tract infections, sexually transmitted diseases, and penile cancer than circumcised men.
Circumcision
包皮环切术是一种外科手术,移除the foreskin of the penis. Circumcision is generally a safe surgical procedure.
What Are the Do's and Don'ts For a Newborn Baby?
First-time parents caring for a newborn baby? Learn what to do and what not to do for your brand new child.
How Is Circumcision Done?
Circumcision, the surgical removal of the foreskin of the penis, is usually performed with local anesthesia in newborns, but older children, adolescents and adults may require sedation.Is Circumcision Good or Bad?
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) states that there is insufficient scientific evidence to justify circumcision in young boys. Ultimately parents should make a decision on whether circumcision is in the best interest of their son. The decision should be totally personal and they should weigh medical information in the context of their religious, ethical and cultural beliefs.
Is Your Penis Normal
Can a man break his penis? Take this quiz to learn myths about size, common conditions, general facts, and other things you should know!
Penis Picture
The penis is the male sex organ, reaching its full size during puberty. See a picture of the Penis and learn more about the health topic.
What Are the Benefits and Risks of Circumcision?
Overall, circumcision is relatively healthy and comes with several sexual and reproductive health benefits.
什么导致了裂缝在我的包皮?
In most instances, cracked skin may just be triggered by pre-existing skin conditions of the foreskin. Dry skin and cracks on the foreskin are generally not a cause for concern and can be treated with over-the-counter (OTC) and home treatments. Clothing, dry skincare products, excess sex without adequate lubrication, allergies, yeast infection, eczema, psoriasis, balanitis, and fungal and bacterial skin infections may lead to the cracked foreskin.Before you make a decision about routine circumcision for your baby, learn about the potential pros and cons of the procedure.