Aftercare for Young Boys and Male Infants

After your son has been circumcised, it will be necessary for you to understand that he should feel no pain. If you think that he is in any discomfort, it will be fine to give a normal dose of paracetamol (Calpol). If, however, he does not settle or if there is a problem, please do not hesitate to contact us. It is necessary that you carry out the following:

When you get home after your son has had his circumcision, if he should experience any of the following, please contact us immediately:

  1. If he doesn’t pass urine within 6 hours
  2. Any sign of bleeding
  3. If he is extremely irritable, not his usual self
  4. Any sign of swelling

Taking care of your son

  1. Be sure to continue to wash your son at least once per day. You can add a few tablespoons of salt to the bath water to help with the healing process. Use the Fucidin cream that was prescribed 3 times a day and in between nappy changes, apply some Vaseline or Olive oil.
  2. Please do not interfere with the wound, other than to make sure it is kept clean. As the days go by, the site can get a bit ‘mucky’. You can keep it clean by using gauze, which you can buy from any Pharmacy. Don’t be frightened to touch it with a clean gauze. It is important to keep the area clean.
  3. Older boys will want to inspect the area, which should be allowed, initially. However, it is best not to touch the area too much, in order to keep it clean and reduce the possibility of infection. Younger boys should wear a nappy or alternative cover, which he cannot remove, in order to keep him from handling his penis too much.
  4. The plastic ring usually comes off three to ten days after circumcision. No special dressing is required and your son can be bathed and diapered just as if he had not been circumcised.
    NOTE: A dark brown or black ring encircling the plastic ring is perfectly natural. This will disappear when the ring drops off. The result is a clean, well-healed line of excision. In addition, there might be some collections of a white, pasty substance. This substance is normal and is produced between the skin of the head of the penis and the foreskin, which has been removed. The substance will be washed away over the next few days and is NOT an infection.
  5. Be sure to notify us if the healing does not proceed as described or if the ring has not fallen off within 10 days. A swelling that occurs between 12-24 hours after the operation is probably due to a small bruise from the insertion of the needle for the anesthetic. Notify us immediately if a swelling occurs after about 2 to 3 days. This could be due to infection. Also, please call if the ring has slipped down onto the shaft of the penis or if your son seems unsettled.
  6. Do not worry if the ring does not drop off within the first week. It might be necessary for you to bring him back to the surgery after the 10th day for a doctors’ inspection.

Remember to wash YOUR hands before and after touching the area!