Other boys are not circumcised, leaving skin that covers the tip of the penis. In an uncircumcised boy, the foreskin will gradually begin to separate from the glans of the penis. As this occurs you may notice a white, cheesy material called smegma consisting of skin cells that are shed throughout life release between the layers of skin.
These are not signs of an infection or a cyst. When the foreskin separates from the glans of the penis it can be pulled back retracted to expose the glans. 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 some may not be able to do this until their teenage years.
The glans is the head of the penis. This can cause severe pain and swelling and is a medical emergency. If retraction is forceful, it can cause a small cut. This cut may cause a small amount of bleeding and pain. Sometimes, the cut causes the space under the foreskin to become infected. The main symptom is a red and tender foreskin. However, seek medical advice if your child's penis continues to bleed after they return home.
Page last reviewed: 20 November Next review due: 20 November Circumcision in boys. Male circumcision is the surgical removal of the foreskin. The foreskin is the roll of skin that covers the end of the penis. Why circumcision is carried out in boys Circumcision in boys may be carried out for: medical reasons — for example, as a treatment of last resort for conditions such as a tight foreskin phimosis or recurrent infection of the foreskin and head of the penis balanitis religious or cultural reasons — it's a common practice in Jewish and Islamic communities, and it's also practised by many African communities; most cultural circumcisions are carried out in young boys The information on this page focuses on circumcision in boys for medical reasons.
How the foreskin develops It's normal for a baby boy's foreskin not to pull back retract for the first few years of life. Never try to force your son's foreskin back, as it may be painful and damage the foreskin.
Medical reasons for a boy to have a circumcision It's rare for circumcision to be recommended for medical reasons in boys. The following conditions affect the penis and, in rare cases, may require a circumcision: tight foreskin phimosis — where the foreskin is too tight to be pulled back over the head of the penis; this can sometimes cause pain when the penis is erect and, in rare cases, passing urine may be difficult recurrent infection balanitis — where the foreskin and head of the penis become inflamed and infected paraphimosis — where the foreskin cannot be returned to its original position after being pulled back, causing the head of the penis to become swollen and painful; immediate treatment is needed to avoid serious complications, such as restricted blood flow to the penis balanitis xerotica obliterans — a condition that causes a tight foreskin and, in some cases, also affects the head of the penis, which can become scarred and inflamed The procedure Circumcision is usually carried out on a day patient basis.
Recovering after male circumcision After the operation, a dressing will be put over the penis to protect the wound. He will be allowed home after he's passed urine, which may be uncomfortable at first. In most cases, a follow-up appointment will not be necessary. Other problems include the tip of the foreskin getting red and irritated , which is common. This might be caused by wet nappies, forcing the foreskin back, or from a build-up of soap residue.
Balanitis is an inflammation of the foreskin and penis, with swelling and redness. There might be a discharge, and it might be painful for your son to do a wee. Try salt baths for a day or two.
In some boys, the end of the foreskin might be tight — this is called phimosis. Sometimes phimosis can cause the foreskin to balloon when weeing. Phimosis is very common in younger boys and usually settles without any treatment as they get older.
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