What is a circumcision and
should I get one for my son?

What is a circumcision you ask? Well, many times a circumcision procedure is done for religious beliefs. Others choose get it done for social reasons and hygiene concerns.

Boys are born with excess skin that covers the head of the penis. This skin is called the foreskin.

This procedure is commonly performed within the first two days at the hospital or shortly after at home during a religious ritual. The foreskin is removed surgically by your pediatrician or obstetrician, exposing the head of the penis.

The plus side of having this done is that it lowers your son's risk of getting a urinary tract infection (UTI) during his first year of life. UTI's are more common in uncircumcised boys.

Also, studies have shown that their risk is lower for penile cancer when they become an adult.

Uncircumcised males have reported cases of irritation, inflammation and infection due to the difficulty in keeping the penis clean beneath the foreskin. Although it can be learned.

Keep clean by:

* gently washing during sponge baths

* do not rub too hard during diaper changes

* apply petroleum jelly (vaseline) liberally around the penis head during diaper changes

Call your doctor if:

* fever

* persistent bleeding (other than some spotting)

* smelly discharge

* excessive swelling

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