Question
A child who is 2 years and 3 months old often complains of itching on the penis. In August 2018, when we visited a hospital, the doctor said the foreskin was too long. When is the best time to undergo circumcision? In August 2018, the doctor saw white objects inside the foreskin after it was pulled back, and after cleaning them, there were no symptoms for a year. However, the child began complaining of itching on the penis again yesterday. Over the past year, we have been using warm water to clean it. Should we pull back the foreskin to clean it? We are afraid to do so.
Answer
This symptom may be caused by a bacterial infection. It is recommended to use warm water to clean it and maintain hygiene in the genital area. For concerns about excessive foreskin, you can wait until your child is between 8 and 12 years old for circumcision, as they will be able to tolerate local anesthesia for the procedure. Before the operation, you should daily pull back the foreskin to clean it and remove smegma to alleviate symptoms.