Dr. Gajanan Shirpad Bhat
Urology
The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.
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Patient's Query
Hello doctor,
I am an adult male and not circumcised, do I have to pull back my penis foreskin and wipe or dry (toilet paper) every time I urinate to prevent foreskin problems infections or balanitis? Or just shaking it after urination is good enough? I honestly do not wipe, and I never had a problem.
Hello,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
There will be secretions under the foreskin, which is called smegma. These get infected in men with an immune-compromised condition such as diabetes. In others, keeping the undersurface of foreskin clean once a day while having a bath is enough. It is not necessary to pull back foreskin every time you urinate. Even shaking the penis after urination does not affect smegma. In normal persons, cleaning the undersurface of foreskin once a day suffices.
Patient's Query
Thank you doctor,
But then the moisture that remains after urination inside the foreskin will not be a problem. I do not have diabetes. Also, the glands sometimes get a little red, but then it arrives back to normal is that normal? So wiping after urination is not necessary.
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
Let me assure you that the moisture post urination does not have any effect as there is hardly any. Cleaning undersurface of foreskin once a day is more than sufficient. As long as the redness of glans is concerned, there is no need to worry as long is temporary.
Patient's Query
Thank you doctor,
I saw a dermatologist and told the same. He also said urine is sterile and I did not need to worry about the moisture after urination, and my confusion started when I saw my primary doctor and told me since I was not circumcised I need to wipe after urination to prevent infections and fungus. I have never done that before, and since I started wiping, I think the glands sometimes gets irritated. I do clean properly my foreskin every day when I take a shower. I have even been thinking about getting circumcised. Kindly advice.
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
I reiterate the once a day cleaning of the undersurface of foreskin suffices. Circumcision in an adult procedure which does not provide any benefit clinically or pathologically. However, the circumcised penis appears and remains hygienic always as you do not have smegma, which collects under the uncircumcised foreskin. I would not advise you circumcision as it does not provide you any clinical benefit.
Patient's Query
Thank you doctor,
Can I go back to my routine and stop wiping? So will that help in preventing the random irritation? I will follow your advice about circumcision.
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
You can go back to your routine. Do not forget to clean undersurface of foreskin once a day. I forgot to mention that you need to clean following the sexual act if you are sexually active. Please get back to me if you have any more queries.
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Urology
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