Foreskin Care

Caring for your son’s foreskin is so simple, we say..."Easy Does It!"

Bathing and Hygiene
Use warm, clear water to bathe him. Soaps and
bubble baths can cause skin irritation. When
he’s ready, he can be taught to keep himself
clean. As his foreskin begins to naturally retract
he should be encouraged to gently pull his
foreskin back, rinse himself with clean water,
and return it to its forward position. Boys about
four years old might touch their anus and then
transfer germs to their penis; talk with him
about germs and proper hygiene.

(Growth Diagram) Caption:
Foreskin and glans begin joined by a shared skin layer...
...that later slowly dissolves, leaving a functional foreskin.

Normal Growth
Before birth, the foreskin
and penis grow as a single
structure. After birth, the
foreskin slowly begins to
loosen over a period of
years. As the inner layer
dissolves in half, excess
skin cells slough off and appear as small, white
lumps. Few foreskins retract by the sixth month,
and some never retract—this is normal.

Foreskin Retraction Danger
Forced foreskin retraction by an uninformed
adult is the greatest penile risk boys face. It
causes severe pain, bleeding, scarring, and
may lead to infection and adhesions. The
foreskin should only be retracted by the boy,
himself when he is ready to do so.

Caution: Stay with your boy during all
medical examinations. Some healthcare
professionals might forcibly retract his
foreskin. Before every examination say,
“Please, do not retract his foreskin.”

(Graph of Retraction Rates) Caption:
Boys whose foreskin is non-retractable.
This is normal, healthy, and desirable.


Diaper Changing
Wipe him front to back.
Change his diapers
frequently to keep urine
and feces away from his
penis to reduce infection
and inflammation.

Health Hints

Soreness and Infection
Stop bathing with soaps if the foreskin becomes red
and itching, a common cause is fungus, easily treated
with an anti-fungal cream, or liquid acidophilus culture
(available in healthfood stores) applied 6 times daily
for 3 days. If diagnosed with a urinary tract infection,
use antibiotics. Seek medical help if there is pain,
oozing, fever, change in coloration, or bleeding.

Ballooning while Peeing
This is normal, though it can be alarming to parents
seeing it for the first time. If the boy is not in pain and
his urine is free flowing, there is nothing to worry about.

Foreskin Won’t Return Forward
Lubricate it and the glans. Squeeze the glans with your
fingers to make it small enough for the foreskin to slide
forward—similar to removing a ring from a swollen finger.
If unsuccessful, seek medical assistance immediately.

Circumcision Referral
Obtain a second opinion if your physician
recommends foreskin amputation without first
considering less invasive treatments. Stretching,
antibiotics, or topical steroid crèmes may avoid surgery.