Care of the Uncircumcised Penis in Teens
The penis has 2 parts—the shaft and
the glans. The shaft is the main part of the penis. The glans is the tip of the penis.
All
boys are born with a covering (foreskin) over the tip of the penis. Some boys are
circumcised. This means that the foreskin is removed. Other boys are not circumcised
and
may have skin that covers the tip of the penis. The decision to circumcise a baby
boy may
depend on many factors. This includes the parents' preference, religion, and where
the
child is born.
In an uncircumcised boy, the foreskin
will begin to separate from the glans. This is called foreskin retraction. This happens
naturally while the boy is a baby. Foreskin retraction may happen right after birth.
Or it
may take several years. Most foreskins can be fully retracted by the time a young
man is 18
years old. Retracting or pulling back the foreskin from the tip of the penis should
not
be forced. If the foreskin is forced to retract, it may cause bleeding and mild pain.
How to care for the uncircumcised penis
An uncircumcised teen should
retract or pull back the foreskin and clean underneath it daily. It should be a part
of
their daily hygiene routine. The American Academy of Pediatrics states that the foreskin
should be cleaned by following the steps below:
-
Gently, not forcefully, pull
the foreskin away from the tip of the penis.
-
Rinse the tip of the penis
and the inside part of the foreskin with soap and water.
-
Return the foreskin back over
the tip of the penis.
- Before urinating, always pull the foreskin away from the tip of
the penis and return it afterward.
Always talk with your
teen's healthcare provider for more information.