Foreskin retraction

[ethelburga]

When should a little boys foreskin be retracted. My grandson is 5 plus, and he always says it stings. Any help or advice very much appreciated. Hope no one minds the delicate topic!

[Sqad]

It should NEVER be forcibly retracted.

Why do you want it retracted?

[ummmm]

Later than that. You shouldn't try and pull a boys foreskin back.

[starone]

When I was young, with children, I was told to gently push it back when bathing them - when they were babies of course - but if it is now stinging would think that was not done and it is now tighter and more difficult. Might need to be circumsized but at least get doc's advice. Sqad will probably be able to help.

[starone]

Crossposted, I see sqad is already here.

[benny3008]

I think its at about 15-16 it generally happens but in some case may be never. Don't think it's anything to worry about though....is it? :-/

[ummmm]

I asked my son....he said about 12 for him.

[Sqad]

ethel

<<<<and he always says it stings.>>>>>

Elucidate please........do you mean it "stings" when he passes water or do you mean it "stings" when he tries to pull his foreskin back?

[joggerjayne]

"maybe never" ??

Crikey.

[jackthehat]

My boy had to have a 'warm-spoon' run around under his to 'free-off' some adhesions which both stung and caused him to piddle all over the loo-seat (like a proper grown up bloke !).

[tiggerblue10]

I was wondering about this as well. I was told never to retract it.

[tiggerblue10]

For Little Tiggs that is.

[Robinia]

That happened to one of my sons at a similar age. The doc said it was a tightened foreskin was due to the way children grow in quick bursts & that it would loosen naturally, which it did.

[fairycakes69]

My sons didn't retract, didn't want to force it, so took him to the doctors when he was 4, he ended up getting it stretched, never had any problems after that, he is now 18, though don't think he'd tell me now. If your concerned take him to your doctor and see what they say.

[dinkleboo]

My sons foreskin was very tight, thought it would never go back, I encouraged him to try whilst he washing in the bath...eventually it did go back...he is 12

[boxtops]

I'm with starbuck, I remember when my brother was a baby - mum was told that she should push it back when she changed him, to keep the foreskin flexible.

[Philtaz]

Never retract it at his particular age or you run the risk of a paraphimosis.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paraphimosis

If the young lad is complaining of stinging though it might be a good idea to seek the advice of his GP at the earliest opportunity.

[4getmenot]

if you want your son circumcised as a baby do they do it at hospital when born?

[Philtaz]

4getmenot,

Not where I work we don't, they are only done for medical reasons. We've had the odd doctor(mainly Nigerians) who wanted their newborn son circumcised in theatre but the 'traditional' way i.e without anaesthetic. The staff to a man flatly refused and rightly so.

[boxtops]

It depends on your religion too, 4get - Jews and Muslims are circumcised at 6 days old, in a special ceremony.

[mike11111]

Is this why in the Jewish faith it is done shortly after birth?