About this topic
Circumcision is a procedure that removes your sons foreskin. The foreskin covers the tip of his penis. A circumcision is often done in the first few days after your baby's birth. Circumcision may be done for cultural or religious reasons and can happen outside the hospital. ‚
Circumcision may be done to lower the risk of: ‚
- Urinary tract infection
- Blocking the opening of the penis
- Cancer of the penis
- Sexually-transmitted diseases
Not all babies are circumcised. The choice to circumcise your son is up to you. ‚
What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what you need to do to care for your child.
- If a plastibell ring is placed on the tip of the penis to stop bleeding, do not pull the ring off. The ring will fall off 4 to 10 days after circumcision.
- There may be gauze or a bandage on your sons penis. Change the bandage or gauze often to keep urine and stool away from the cut site.
- Use petroleum jelly or antibiotic ointment over the tip of your son's penis. The jelly or ointment will help keep the diaper, gauze, or bandage from sticking to the penis.
- Take the gauze off 48 hours after the circumcision.
- You can wash your baby with a washcloth. Avoid tub baths until after his umbilical cord falls off.
- If bleeding happens, use a clean cloth and put gentle pressure on the wound for 10 minutes.
What follow-up care is needed?
Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your babys progress. Be sure to keep your baby's visits. ‚
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Help with pain
- Prevent infection
Will physical activity be limited?
Most often, your sons penis will heal in 5 to 10 days. Try to find a position that is comfortable for your baby when you carry him. ‚
What problems could happen?
- Bleeding
- Fever
- Infection
- Swelling or redness around the penis
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of infection such as a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher; change in the sound of your babys cry; crying too much; muscles become stiff or he is stiff when held; bulging or fullness of the soft spot on your baby's head; if you feel your baby has no energy, is fussy, or confused; if your baby has a faster or slower heart rate.
- Baby looks or acts sick
- Change in the color of your baby's penis
- Swelling of the penis
- Yellowish drainage from the penis
- Bleeding that does not stop even with pressure
- Wound that will not heal
- No wet diapers in 8 hours
- If plastibell does not fall off in 10 to 12 days or if it has moved down from the tip of your baby's penis
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you about your child. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my babys circumcision.
- I can tell you how to care for my baby's cut site.
- I can tell you what I will do if my baby has a fever, chills, swelling, redness, or drainage from the wound.
Where can I learn more?
American Academy of Pediatrics ‚
http://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/prenatal/decisions-to-make/Pages/Circumcision.aspx ‚
Caring For Kids ‚
http://www.caringforkids.cps.ca/handouts/circumcision ‚
FamilyDoctor.org ‚
http://familydoctor.org/familydoctor/en/pregnancy-newborns/caring-for-newborns/infant-care/circumcision.printerview.html ‚
KidsHealth ‚
http://kidshealth.org/parent/system/surgical/circumcision.html# ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚