Intact Care
The foreskin is tightly attached to the glans (head) much like the finger nail to the finger to prevent bacteria from getting in and causing infections. Pulling off your finger nail would be very painful so you can imagine how painful it would be to retract the foreskin.
Forceful retraction can be the cause of adhesions, scar tissue and infections. A Dutch study showed that the foreskin is not retractable until the average age of 10.6 years. Although some do retract on their own before and after this age, some as early as 3 and as late as 17. Foreskin retraction is spontaneous and has no exact time as to when it should be retractable.
Caring for your son’s Intact Penis is simple. When intact do NOT retract. Only clean what is seen, wipe like a finger.
It is that simple!
Below are additional resources for parents of intact boys. Know the myths and be informed enough to protect your son and his genital integrity.
Should My Baby’s Foreskin Be Retracted?
http://www.drmomma.org/2012/08/should-babys-foreskin-be-retracted.html
Hands Off My Foreskin! Dr. Martin Winckler on the Care of Baby Boys
http://www.drmomma.org/2013/02/hands-off-my-foreskin-dr-martin.html
Forced Retraction: Don’t Let it happen to Your Son
http://www.drmomma.org/2010/11/forced-retraction-dont-let-it-happen-to.html
Forced Retraction: Now What?
http://www.drmomma.org/2009/12/forced-retraction-what-now.html
Using a Catheter Without Retraction: My Nurse Did It and So Can Yours!
http://www.savingsons.org/2013/01/using-catheter-without-retraction-my.html
Only Clean What is Seen: Reversing the Epidemic of Forced Retraction:
http://www.drmomma.org/2009/09/only-clean-what-is-seen-reversing.html
Medical Testing: Do Not Retract:
http://www.drmomma.org/2009/09/uti-testing-on-boys-do-not-retract.html
Doctors Opposing Circumcision Statement for Physicians and Nurses on Forced Retraction:
http://www.doctorsopposingcircumcision.org/info/info-forcedretraction.html
Forced Retraction: Ask the Experts
http://www.drmomma.org/2009/09/ask-experts-forced-foreskin-retraction.html
The Forced Retraction of My Son [One Parent’s Story]
http://www.drmomma.org/2001/07/forced-retraction-of-my-son.html
Did you know?
