Circumcision healing takes 5-7 days in infants and up to 3 weeks in older boys and men. Petroleum jelly should be applied to protect the wound. While complications are rare, signs of infection should be monitored and medical help sought if necessary.
The healing process of circumcision typically takes five to seven days in infants, although older boys and men may find that the process takes much longer, up to three weeks. Parents and guardians of newborns should apply petroleum jelly to the side of the circumcision to protect the wound from irritation from urinating and being in a diaper. Older boys and men undergoing circumcision should change their dressings daily and keep the site clean using a mild, unscented soap. Although the risks of complications during healing from circumcision are relatively low, it is important for patients or their caregivers to keep a close eye on the wound to make sure it is healing properly and that infection has not set in.
Circumcision is a procedure in which the foreskin of the penis is surgically removed. While modern medicine generally considers circumcision unnecessary for the protection of a man’s general health, many religions require it of male adherents. In some rare cases, the procedure may be necessary to address a physical issue or defect. In some countries, particularly the United States, circumcision is often performed on newborns for non-religious reasons, but at the request of the parents. It is more rarely performed on older boys or grown men; when it is, it’s typically due to a medical problem.
When parents bring their newly circumcised baby home, they are usually told by health care professionals to cover the circumcision area and the head of their son’s penis with petroleum jelly every time they change his diaper. Eventually, a yellowish crust will develop that will fall off after a few days. Older boys and men can be encouraged to refrain from strenuous physical activity and to change dressings on a daily basis. Immediately following the procedure, many men and older boys may find that applying ice packs to the affected area for a day or two can relieve pain during the healing process.
While infection or complications from the procedure are rare, it is important for parents, guardians, and older circumcised patients to be aware of signs of infection or complication and look for them as they heal. These signs could include the discharge of pus, excessive pain, or inflammation of the entire penis. In such cases, parents or circumcised patients should get medical help and counseling immediately.
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