How to clean properly my baby's circumcised penis?

Question

My baby is 10 months old. Today I noticed that his circumcised penis had some of the skin re-attaching to the bottom of the head. After a couple of the first well visits to the pediatrician, she told me to pull the skin down with every diaper change, which I have been doing. But after seeing like the skin was re-attaching again, I pulled it down a little more than usual (very carefully, of course). It separated further from the head than normal (confirming that the skin was indeed re-attached). Now it is red almost all around the base of the head and looks like it is hurting him. Although he did not cry, he did make a face like saying "ouch, that hurt!". I feel terrible and I am worry about this. Please tell me how to clean him and what should I do to avoid the skin from re-attaching without causing him ANY pain. Thank you!

I want to say thank you to everybody who had constructive advice. However, for those who don't have anything positive/helpful to add, please refrain from posting. I need answers, not criticism or judgemental comments.

Answer 1

my son's did the same thing. I washed it in the tub with soap & water, pulled it down everytime he was changed, & also held the skin back & put a ring of A&D ointment around it again(like I did when it was new)...after it healed up again,we just made sure to keep it clean dry & pulled back.

Answer 2

How To Clean Circumcision

Answer 3

I'd continue what you are doing with the pulling it down to clean. Usually I just wipe the base with a wipe. Sometimes it seems like he gets a ring of lint from his diaper lining that doesn't come out well unless I just use my fingers. If you think that the wipe is too harsh on the red area then use a baby washcloth and water to clean it. Since he is 10 months old if you think it is bad enough and daddy doesn't think it is a bad idea then maybe a tiny dab of neosporen on the hurt area. Otherwise covering it with some lubricant seems like a good idea. Most people would probably use vaseline. We have petroleum sensitivities in my family and the Dr gave us surgical lubricating jelly (aka KY jelly) to put on his circumcision. You might also try olive oil. Good luck!

Answer 4

Wash him normally like you normally would. To prevent that from happening again, put a glob of Vaseline on him so it doesn't stick. Try to at least do this once a day. He will eventually grow out of this so you don't have to worry about it forever. It is a common thing that happens to little boys. Good luck.

Answer 5

All I can think of is when you were cleaning him before this incident you might have not pushed the skin down far enough when cleaning it that the freshness of it healled some what or at least is trying to.. I would take him to the doctor to find out if the skin has infact healed itself because depending on how much of it has re-attached may need to be re-cut.. I feel for you cause that sounds terrible for your young one and for the worry you must be going through... I hope all goes well.

Answer 6

I would clean him like you've been doing, but apply a good, thick layer of vaseline to help protect the area from rubbing on the diaper.

Answer 7

First of all I would take himback to the ped. Secondly I would treat it as you would a normal circumcision. I would clean it throroughly with warm water and slather it with gobs of vaseline to prevent the reattachment - but get that babe to the Dr. ASAP to prevent infection.

Answer 8

oh feck off ya idiots! don't try and make her feel bad, she just wants to help her son, my son is uncircumcised- he is a young man now, I remember we had this problem, every diaper change push the foreskin back a little more, keep it clean with a damp wash cloth and if it is sore because the skin has torn a little, my pediatrician (old army doc) told me to soak a washcloth in a water and boric acid solution- I know it sounds scary but it isnt *LOL* just call your doctor and ask- and lay the washcloth over the penis and irritated foreskin- it takes the sting away and is a mild antiseptic, then you can use a light coat of vaseline or antibiotic ointment to help seal the injury and to keep the skin from reattaching. and if you are still not sure- honey call your doctor, that is what they went to school for :o) best of luck!

boric acid-
It can be used as an antiseptic for minor burns or cuts and is sometimes used in dressings or salves or is applied in a very dilute solution as an eye wash. As an anti-bacterial compound, boric acid can also be used as an acne treatment (see directions for solution at bottom.) It is poisonous if taken internally or inhaled, although it is generally not considered to be much more toxic than table salt (based on its mammal LD50 rating of 2660mg/kg body mass).[1]

Boric acid can be used to treat yeast and fungal infections such as candidiasis (vaginal yeast infections) by filling gelcaps with boric acid powder and inserting two into the vaginal canal at bedtime for three to four nights in a row. It is also used as prevention of athlete's foot, by inserting powder in the socks or stockings, and in solution can be used to treat some kinds of otitis externa (ear infection) in both humans and animals. The preservative in urine sample bottles (red cap) in the UK is Boric acid.

Answer 9

Nothing like waiting until Friday night to get medical advice!

Are you with Kaiser? If you are you can just call the advice line and talk to a nurse.

If not just call your MD on Monday and just take basic care until then.

Answer 10

I would check with the pediatrician clean it as you have been. Use A&D ointment like when they came home from the hospital. Good Luck