Penis consists of two main parts, the shaft and the head. Head of the penis is also called as glans of the penis or the glans penis. Urine and semen are excreted from the body through a small opening at the tip of the glans. In the newborn the shaft and the glans of the penis are covered by a single continuous layer of skin.

 

In circumcision by a small operation under local anesthesia the part of this skin covering the glans penis is cut off. Immediately after the circumcision the glans penis may appear swollen, tender, and vivid red after the procedure as the foreskin is firmly attached to the glans and then it is forcibly separated and then cut off.

 

In uncircumcised boys, the foreskin usually remains firmly attached to the glans which over time very slowly detaches from the various attachments as they will gradually broke due to the stretching resulting from repeated normal erections. In more than 85% of the boys the foreskin over the glans penis is loose and is mobile by 2 years of age but sometimes it can take five or more years. As soon as the foreskin separates from the glans penis it can easily be retracted, or pulled back, to leave the glans exposed. Throughout the life of and male individual a cheesy white material called smegma which primarily consists of dead skin cells and secretions from sebaceous glands, will accumulate under the foreskin.

 

In boys who are uncircumcised the forced pulling of the foreskin over the glans penis can lead to pain so the side effects should be judged while trying to maintain the hygiene which can lead to scarring and adhesions. One should not try forcibly retraction of the foreskin and it should not be cleaned under an adherent foreskin using swabs, antiseptics, or even water.

 

Only the outside of the foreskin needs to be cleaned during the first year of the year. It should be cleaned and bathed with soap and water just like the rest of the diaper area. After the first year of life parents should try to very gently pull back on the skin of the shaft to see if the foreskin retracts. If it doesn't at all one should not worry and one should not force it for the retraction. There is certainly no rush. If urine can flow freely, the hole in the foreskin is big enough. As long as the foreskin doesn't easily retract even after initial years of age, only the outside of the skin above the glans penis should be washed. If it is possible to retract the foreskin a little, it is good to gently clean the exposed part of the glans with water only while soap should be avoided as it can irritate this sophisticated area. After cleaning one should always pull the foreskin forward to its usual position otherwise it can stuck and can lead to serious complications.

 

Once the foreskin has completely separated and retracts freely one should retract his own foreskin and clean underneath it when he bathes or at least once a week. Once it becomes the habit then it is good as it will lead to the maintenance of the good hygiene. This habit can lead to the prevention of the cancer of the penis and the cancer of the cervix of the partner.