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Key points
- The foreskin is loose skin that covers the head of the penis.
- You should look after your child’s penis like the rest of their body. This means washing it regularly and rinsing off any soap.
- There is no need to clean inside your child’s foreskin until it easily pulls back (retracts).
- Make sure you change wet or dirty nappies promptly to avoid redness and infection.
- As your child gets older, teach them to clean their penis and foreskin as part of their hygiene routine.
- If your child’s foreskin gets stuck while retracted, seek urgent medical care.
Foreskin
What is the foreskin?
The foreskin is loose skin that covers the head or ‘glans’ of the penis. Most babies are born with foreskin that cannot be pulled back. The foreskin usually separates from the head of the penis over time; it can usually fully retract by the end of puberty.
If your child’s foreskin is still attached to the head of the penis, do not pull it back forcefully. This is painful and can lead to injuries and scarring. There is no need to clean inside the foreskin when your child is young.
What is circumcision?
Circumcision is a medical procedure where doctors permanently remove the foreskin.
How to care for your child's penis and foreskin
Before foreskin separation
- Clean your child’s penis like the rest of their body. This means washing it regularly in the bath or shower and rinsing off any soap.
- Mild soap is best to avoid skin irritation.
After foreskin separation
- When your child’s foreskin has started to separate, teach them to clean their penis and foreskin as part of their hygiene routine.
- They should gently pull back their foreskin, then rinse the head of their penis and inside the foreskin fold with warm water.
- If they use soap, it is important to wash it all off.
- When they have finished, they should slip the foreskin back over the head of their penis.
- Pulling back the foreskin to clean the penis should not be painful. If your child is in pain, the foreskin may not be separated enough to pull back yet.
- Speak with a health professional if your child’s foreskin has separated but causes them pain when retracted.
Uneven foreskin separation (preputial adhesions)
It is normal for the foreskin to separate from the head of the penis unevenly. For example, some parts of the foreskin may retract, while others may still be stuck. The stuck parts are called ‘preputial adhesions.’
Common foreskin problems
Redness and irritation
Your child’s penis and/or foreskin may look red and get irritated by old urine or rubbing on clothes and nappies. Inflammation around the head of the penis is called balanitis; it may
cause signs like pus or swelling.
To help with redness, irritation and inflammation:
- Wash the tip of your child’s penis gently with water; avoid soap and nappy wipes.
- Apply a barrier cream or petroleum jelly to the tip of your child’s penis.
- Change your child's nappies regularly to reduce contact with urine (pee) and poo.
- Bathe your child in warm water to soothe red or sore skin. Make sure to dry them thoroughly afterwards.
- Salt baths may also help.
- Try leaving your child without a nappy for short periods of time. Fresh air should help.
- Do not use antiseptic creams on the penis or foreskin unless a doctor prescribes them.
If the redness and irritation are not getting better, speak with their doctor or another health professional. They may prescribe a steroid cream.
Infection
Sometimes, the penis and foreskin can get infected. Common signs and symptoms of a penis and foreskin infection include:
- redness and inflammation
- pus (yellow, milky fluid) coming from under the foreskin
- swelling
- shiny skin
- pain while urinating (peeing).
If you think your child’s penis and foreskin are infected, it is best to speak with their doctor. They pay prescribe antibiotics.
Tight foreskin (phimosis)
Phimosis is when the foreskin is too tight to pull back over the head of the penis. It may look like the opening in the foreskin is too small. The condition is common in children and usually gets better over time.
Sometimes, phimosis can cause the foreskin to balloon when urinating (peeing). This is not usually a problem, as long as it does not cause any pain. Severe phimosis may make it hard to urinate.
You should speak with a doctor or another health professional if you are worried about phimosis. They may prescribe steroid cream or explore other treatment.
Paraphimosis
When your child's foreskin is not pulled back down over the head of their penis, it can cause a condition called paraphimosis. This is when the foreskin gets stuck and tightens around the penis, causing it to swell. The more the penis swells, the harder
it is to get the foreskin back over the head of the penis.
Paraphimosis is painful and requires urgent medical care. If your child has paraphimosis, you should go to your nearest hospital emergency department immediately.
When to get help
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Go to a hospital if:
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- your child’s foreskin retracts and gets stuck.
- your child has an erection that causes them pain or lasts longer than four hours.
- your child cannot urinate (pee).
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See a doctor or health professional if:
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- your child’s penis is red and swollen.
- your child’s penis or foreskin is causing them pain.
- your child is very upset or in pain when urinating (peeing).
- your child has pus coming from their penis.
- your child’s foreskin is very tight, and you or your child is concerned.
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Look after your child at home if:
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- barrier creams and warm baths help with any irritation.
- they are not in any pain.
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Common questions about penis and foreskin care
My child's penis looks strange. What should I do?
There is a lot of variation in the way a child's penis looks – especially the foreskin. However, if you think your child’s penis is bent, too small, too large, or growing quickly (before puberty), see a doctor or another health professional.
My child plays with their penis a lot. Is that normal?
It is normal for young children to touch and play with all parts of their bodies, including their genitals. They may pull their foreskin outward; this will not hurt them or cause an injury.
Is it normal for my child to get erections?
Erections are normal at any age, including in babies. If your child’s erection is painful or lasts longer than four hours, you should take your child to the nearest hospital emergency department.
Should I get my child circumcised?
Circumcisions are only recommended at The Royal Children’s Hospital for very specific health conditions. Being circumcised does not make the penis cleaner or more hygienic.
My child is having trouble urinating because of penis pain. What can I do?
It can be distressing for your child to have trouble urinating due to pain. However, it should not cause long-term problems. You can help by giving your child pain medicine, putting them in a warm bath or applying some soothing ointment to the tip of their penis. If these measures do not help or if they cannot urinate at all, you should speak with a doctor. They may need hospital care.
What is smegma?
Smegma is a mix of dead skin cells and natural oils. It looks like a cheesy, white substance. It is common for smegma to build up under the foreskin and form small, firm lumps. Smegma is not harmful or unhygienic. You do not need to retract your child’s foreskin to clean smegma.
For more information
Developed by The Royal Children’s Hospital Emergency department, with input from Urology and General Medicine. We acknowledge the input of RCH consumers and carers.
Reviewed October 2025
Please always seek the most recent advice from a registered and practising clinician.