Circumcision Problems

When To Call

Call 911 Now

• Large blood loss and baby is pale or cold
• Not moving or very weak
• You think your child has a life-threatening emergency

Call Doctor or Seek Care Now

• Age less than 1 month old and looks or acts abnormal in any way
• Bleeding is more than a few drops
• Head of penis is dark blue or black
• Severe swelling of penis
• Can't pass urine or can only pass a few drops
• No urine for more than 8 hours
• Crying and your child can't be comforted after trying this advice for more than 2 hours
• Fever in baby less than 12 weeks old. Caution: do NOT give your baby any fever medicine before being seen.
• Looks infected (redness is spreading, pus or pimples occur)
• Tiny water blisters occur on skin
• Plastic ring has moved on to shaft of penis
• Your child looks or acts very sick
• You think your child needs to be seen, and the problem is urgent

Contact Doctor Within 24 Hours

• Bleeding is a few drops, but happens 3 or more times
• Swelling (without redness) gets larger after day 3
• You think your child needs to be seen, but the problem is not urgent

Contact Doctor During Office Hours

• Plastic ring stays on more than 14 days
• Penis looks well-healed but not normal to you. (It looks strange or has an extra tag of skin.)
• You have other questions or concerns

Self Care at Home

• Normal circumcision

Care Advice

What You Should Know About Circumcisions:

• The tip (head) of the penis is bright red after the foreskin is removed. This is normal. The skin will heal and look normal over the next 2 weeks.
• The rest of the penis should not be red.
• Pieces of skin near the incision line are often yellow in color. The color is from bilirubin. It is harmless and not an infection.
• The penis will be swollen for a few days. There may be some bruises or dried blood on it.
• Most circumcisions heal quickly.
• Infections are rare.
• Here is some care advice that should help.

Plastic Ring Type Circ:

• Gently wash the area with warm water twice a day.
• Also, do this if it becomes dirty with poop.

Incision (No Plastic Ring is Present) Type Circ:

• The dressing is gauze with petroleum jelly. Take this off 24 hours later. Sometimes, it will fall off on its own. If you need to remove it, use a warm wet washcloth.
• Gently wash the area with warm water twice a day. Also, do this if it becomes dirty with poop.

Ointment for Pain:

• Put a layer of ointment on the incision line. This should lessen any pain and crying.
• To prevent pain, use petroleum jelly (such as Vaseline). Put it on the incision line and head of the penis. Do this after each cleansing for the first 4 days. Other option: You can also use an antibiotic ointment (such as Polysporin). No prescription is needed.
• Reason: helps keep it soft and stops the diaper from sticking during healing.

Crying - Don't Give Pain Meds:

• Circumcisions are usually not that painful.
• Covering the wound with an ointment often is all that is needed.
• Do not give pain medicine (such as Tylenol).
• If your baby is crying a lot, he may need to be seen. Call your doctor if you think your baby is in pain.
• Your baby's doctor will decide if pain meds are needed.

Bleeding - How to Stop:

• The circumcision wound can normally bleed a few drops. Most often, this is caused by the diaper rubbing on the wound.
• Will stop on its own or with a few minutes of direct pressure.
• Can stop bleeding by keeping the area soft with an ointment.

What to Expect for A Plastic Ring:

• The plastic ring will normally fall off between 7 and 14 days (average 10).
• It often hangs by a small piece of tissue for a few days.
• It will come off on its own.
• Pulling it off can cause bleeding.
• It can't fall off too early.

Prevent Infections:

• Fasten the diaper loosely to prevent friction against the penis.
• Avoid tub baths for 7 days after the circ. Just clean the penis with a wet cloth.
• If the cord is still on, wait longer. Avoid tub baths until 2 days after cord falls off.

Call Your Doctor If:

• Looks infected
• Bleeding occurs
• Plastic ring moves onto shaft of the penis
• Plastic ring does not fall off by day 14
• You think your child needs to be seen
• Your child becomes worse

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