How To Clean A Circumcision
This article was co-authored by Laura Marusinec, MD. Dr. Marusinec is a board certified Pediatrician at the Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin, where she is on the Clinical Practice Council. She received her M.D. from the Medical College of Wisconsin School of Medicine in 1995 and completed her residency at the Medical College of Wisconsin in Pediatrics in 1998. She is a member of the American Medical Writers Association and the Society for Pediatric Urgent Care.There are 9 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. In this case, 91% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 122,622 times.
Though it is a routine procedure, a circumcision requires proper care and cleaning to heal properly. When caring for a newly circumcised newborn, clean the area after every diaper change, keep the area dry, wash the wound gently, let it air dry, dress the wound with gauze and vaseline, and do frequent diaper changes. When caring for an adult circumcision, soak the wound 48 hours after the procedure to remove the initial bandage, change the dressing every day or two, shower carefully, and keep it dry. Watch for possible signs of infection like persistent redness, swelling, bleeding, and yellow discharge, as well as sores or difficulty urinating.
The Circumcision Healing Stages
Each individual will experience different results during the healing process. However, when the procedure is performed correctly and at a young age, the incision site often heals relatively seamlessly and without issue. Additionally, the type of circumcision scar that occurs will vary based on the circumcision method that your doctor or mohel uses.
Additionally, once complete, your mohel secures a bandage over the wound to protect it from infection and irritation. Parents should change the bandage on a daily basis until the wound heals completely, which typically takes seven to 10 days. After the first three days, in most cases, swelling and redness subside. The line around the incision site, in most cases, will fade as it heals without leaving a scar.
Loss Of Skin/wound Dehiscence
Wound dehiscence and degloving injuries of the shaft are possible following using any of the techniques described above for neonatal circumcision. De-gloving injuries result from excess skin being drawn up into the clamp and then amputated. While, less likely, improper determination of the amount of skin to remove during free-hand circumcision may occur. Often these injuries are treated with local wound care and allowed to heal by secondary intention. There are reports of autografting the excised skin with good cosmetic result .
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Things To Look Out For During Recovery
A fever may also be a sign of infection. Any fever in a newborn requires a trip to the doctor right away.
Infections in newborns should always be treated with caution, even if they turn out to be minor. Its best to call your babys doctor if you notice any of these signs in the days following a circumcision.
Also call your babys doctor right away if you notice that your baby isnt having wet diapers, is having fewer wet diapers, or seems to cry when he pees.
Weeks After Circumcision Pictures
In this article
Circumcision, although not done by every male, has some religious and health importance and benefits, and when done right, it heals within a few weeks. However, there are cases of complications as a result of infections. To be safe, perform circumcisions in a hospital or approved circumcision centers.
This article will expose the procedure of circumcision in babies and adults. It will also let you know the benefits of having your foreskin removed. You will also know how well you should have healed some weeks after circumcision.
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Newborn Baby Boy Circumcision: What It Is Aftercare And More
Why do some parents circumcise their baby boy? How is it done? How do you care for the circumcision site? Who are the best, mummy-recommended doctors in Singapore for circumcision in newborn boys? All these questions and more are answered in this article.
If you have made the decision to circumcise* your little boy, you might feel a little nervous thinking about both the procedure and looking after your baby, post-circumcision. This article provides you with information about newborn baby boy circumcision.
We will tell you everything- what happens during the procedure, why it is done, aftercare and more.
When To Call Your Doctor
Most of the time, babies recover from circumcision without problems. Only about 1% have complications. Contact your doctor if:
- Your baby doesnât pee within 12 hours of the circumcision.
- You see blood on their diaper larger than the size of a quarter.
- You see signs of infection, like pus.
- The plastic ring used during circumcision hasnât fallen off after 2 weeks.
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How Long Does It Take A Circumcision To Heal
It will take a little time to recover from a circumcision. The operation is simple and straightforward, but as with most surgical procedures, there is a period of recovery. Here are a few things to keep in mind about the procedure.
A health care provider or nurse will explain what can be done to reduce the babys discomfort or distress. Typically, infant formula medications are given to reduce pain and other symptoms. Despite these interventions, it will typically take 7 to 10 days for the baby to completely recover from their circumcision.
Being aware of the best practices for taking care of the site of the circumcision and promoting healing are among the best things to do at this stage.
What Problems Can Occur If Your Son Is Circumcised
Problems from circumcision are not common. If they occur, they are usually minor. The most common circumcision problems are:
- Blockage of the opening of the urethra .
- Infection of the circumcision site.
More serious problems are rare. They include damage to the opening of the urethra, heavy bleeding that requires stitches, severe infection, and scarring.
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Who Performs Circumcisions
Circumcisions usually are done by a pediatrician, obstetrician, family medicine doctor, surgeon, or urologist. Circumcisions that are performed for religious reasons are sometimes done by others trained in the procedure. For your baby’s safety, it is best that the person doing the surgery is well trained, uses sterile techniques, and knows how to manage your baby’s pain during and after the surgery.
Tips For Scar Reduction
If a scar does form, you may be able to minimize its appearance.
Although many of these products are available over the counter , you should check with your doctor or your childs pediatrician before use.
You should also do a skin patch test before performing a full application. To do this:
You may be able to use one or more of the following for scar reduction:
- Vitamin E. OTC skin creams containing vitamin E may help reduce scarring. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for a specific recommendation.
- Scar oils. Some OTC products, like Bio-Oil and Mederma, hydrate the skin and help ease scarring. Each product is different, and their results can vary. Talk with your doctor about what you should use.
- Lightening creams. A skin-lightening product can help reduce color differences around a scar. These products arent recommended for everyone, so talk with your doctor before use.
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How To Recognise An Infection After Circumcision
The following may occur during healing and are not signs of an infected circumcision:
- a small amount of blood droplets seen on the nappy or underwear in the first days after circumcision
- yellowish scabs forming on the glans where adhesions were removed or around the cut edge
- a small amount of clear discharge around the wound site which is a normal sign of dying skin seen in the Plastibell technique. The discharge is sometimes foul-smelling however when this happens, it is often difficult for parents to decide if there is an infection or not. Therefore seeking advice is a good idea.
- pain in the first few days after circumcision and for children, around the time the Plastibell ring is close to falling off. Painkillers are advised during these times. If there are delays in the ring falling off, contact us as we can offer advice or bring the child in to accelerate removal.
These however, may be signs of an infection and medical advice should be sought as soon as possible:
- discharge that includes pus
- hot skin and/or spreading redness around the wound site
Other than infection, these are also signs for which medical advice should be sought
- bleeding that does not stop within a few minutes, or a spot of blood in the diaper larger than a pound coin
- a large amount of swelling
- not making urine
- child unable to be comforted
What Is Circumcision
During a circumcision, a doctor cuts away a portion of the foreskin and reattaches the section that remains to create a shorter section of skin.
Circumcision in infancy is performed for several reasons, including religious, social, medical, and cultural purposes. For example, in Jewish and Islamic communities, this procedure is common as part of religious standards.
Newborn circumcision is more common than circumcision as an adolescent or adult. In the United States, more than 71 percent .
People who choose to have it done may do so for many of the same reasons parents choose it for their newborns medical, religious, or social.
Note that circumcision is an ongoing source of discussion and debate in many societies. We will present some of the current findings and research, but many claims are being challenged.
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Why It May Be Done
Some parents may make the decision about circumcision based on religious and family traditions, personal preferences, or the social norms of their communities. Often these cultural reasons affect the decision more than the medical risks and benefits of circumcision.
The American Academy of Pediatrics says the health benefits of circumcision outweigh the risks of the surgery. But it’s up to you whether you have your baby circumcised.footnote 3
Health benefits of circumcision include being less likely to get urinary tract infections or sexually transmitted infections . For example, in a baby’s first year of life, UTIs happen less often in circumcised boys than in boys who are not circumcised. But UTIs are not common.
There may be reasons later in life when your son may need a circumcision. A boy or man may have problems retracting the foreskin or may have swelling of the foreskin that requires circumcision.
Common Beliefs Regarding The Benefits Of Adult Circumcision
In the United States, the American Academy of Pediatrics currently supports the infant procedure for its health benefits. However, the group stresses that the final choice belongs to the childs parents, and neither choice is incorrect.
On the other hand, in adults, the benefits of circumcision depend largely on the reason for the procedure in the first place. Its your own choice.
If its done as an established treatment for a medical condition, the health benefits are better known. Conditions that can be treated with circumcision include:
Other claimed health benefits should be approached with caution. Commonly cited benefits include the following:
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Bathing Baby After Circumcision
Its totally fine to bathe your baby following circumcision.
There will likely be some redness, swelling, and slight bleeding or oozing for a few days following circumcision. This can be hard for you as a parent to see, but its perfectly normal.
Most newborns recover fully from circumcision within 710 days.
If the circumcision was performed using the Plastibell method, the ring should fall off within 57 days on its own. Call your babys doctor if the ring hasnt fallen off within two weeks.
How To Get Rid Of Circumcision Scar Irregularities
Despite the best efforts of medical practitioners, some people will inevitably end up with scarring as a result of circumcision healing. In the majority of cases, these scars wont impact the individuals quality of life and, at most may become a cause for insecurity. However, severe scarring can occur and may be problematic. Thankfully, severe scarring often only occurs in the case of what many refer to as a botched circumcision, which is exceptionally rare.
If you or your child experiences scarring, however, there are several ways to treat it. Most scarring is minor and typically wont require any kind of medical intervention to treat. Regular over-the-counter treatments for these types of scars often help minimize appearance over time.
Some of the most commonly recommended treatments for minor scarring include the following:
- Vitamin E oil, which provides nutrients and has shown to help reduce scarring on sensitive skin tissue in several studies.
- Over the counter scar products, such as scar oils and other similar treatments, may help reduce or eliminate the appearance of scars. However, its important to ask your doctor prior to using these treatments to ensure theyre safe for genital use.
- Lightening creams often dont totally eliminate the scar but can help even out the skin tone around the scars to reduce their visibility.
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What Will Your Results Be
The results you experience from adult circumcision will largely depend on the reason you had the procedure in the first place.
If you chose to have it to stop or prevent infections or physical issues like phimosis, the procedure is typically very successful. You may not experience these again in the future.
If your circumcision was for religious reasons, you may feel more deeply personal about your beliefs after completing the procedure.
Each persons results are different, and you may discover you were affected in other ways. For most individuals, the surgery will have no lasting impact on sexual function, urinating, or sensitivity.
What Does A Circumcision Scar Look Like
Another common question the mohel at our Jewish circumcision Florida location receives involves the appearance of the scar itself. Many infants wont have any sort of visible mark around the surgery site within a month of the procedure. However, some individuals may experience scarring based on the method of circumcision used and the way the incision heals.
These scars appear in several different ways. The most prominent and frequently seen is a small, thin line where the doctor stitches the foreskin back to the shaft. For most individuals, these lines are so small theyre nearly invisible. However, some individuals may experience thick and prominent scarring, especially if excessive bleeding or torn skin occurred around the incision site.
Lastly, some children and even adults circumcised later in life may experience scarring as a result of scratching at the wound during the healing process. These scars often result in lumpy, uneven skin. Therefore, its exceptionally important that parents monitor their children during the circumcision healing process to prevent accidental irritation, which in turn leads to this type of scarring.
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Gomco Or Sheldon Clamp Circumcision
Three or four times a day, you will need to clean the area with warm water. Soap is not necessary. If you were given a peri-bottle at the hospital this is an excellent way to apply the water. Try to avoid getting the umbilical stump wet while cleaning.
At each diaper change, you will want to apply a small amount of petroleum jelly. Make sure that the petroleum jelly is pure, without perfumes or other additives. If your doctor sent you home with an antibiotic ointment you will want to use this as directed.
It takes about 10 days for the scab over an incision to fall off. After the scab or plastibell falls off, no further care is needed outside of normal good hygiene.
Care For The Plastibell Circumcision Healing
To ensure a full recovery from the circumcision, you can take some measures and cares for your baby.
1. Wound Care
Normal washing and bathing should still be carried out with your child. Some lubricants, such as antibiotic ointment, can be applied to help avoid the wound contacting directly with materials, such as their diaper.
2. Pain Relievers
This will often not be needed, and is perhaps best avoided with newborn children. Older children who have undergone the procedure may be given pain killers, such as Paracetamol. Just ensure to read the label first and do not give them too much.
3. Complications
It will take about 7 days to complete the Plastibell circumcision healing. However, some complications may arise during the process, which include:
- Bleeding, which is rare due to the method of circumcision
- Infection, which can be avoided if the procedure is practiced hygienically.
Some complications require you take your baby back to the hospital for check quickly, including:
- The child is painful or distressed
- Unusual swelling
- The plastic ring slides out of position and is down the shaft
- The plastic ring has not fallen off on its own after numerous days
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What Happens Before A Circumcision
Your provider may recommend giving the baby some acetaminophen to help with pain relief. In most cases before the procedure, the person doing the circumcision will:
