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Although it was circumcision promoter [[Abraham L. Wolbarst]] (1914} once claimed that the human [[foreskin]] was filthy and harbored disease and [[infection]], <ref name="wolbarst1914">{{REFjournal |last=Wolbarst |first=Abraham L. |init=AL |author-link=Abraham L. Wolbarst |title=Universal Circumcision as a Sanitary Measure |journal=JAMA |date=1914-1-10 |volume=62 |issue=2 |pages=92-97 |url=https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/453164 |accessdate=2022-08-11}}</ref> in reality the opposite is true. The [[foreskin]] is designed by nature to be self -cleaning and to provide significant natural '''immunological and protective function''' against all types of [[infection]], including [[HIV]].

The [[foreskin]], like the eyelid, also serves an important protective and hygienic function. The [[foreskin ]] protects the delicate [[glans]] of the [[penis]] and puts the [[urethra ]] at a distance form from its environment, protecting it from foreign contaminants and pathogens of all kinds while simultaneously shielding the [[penis ]] from injury. It is a double fold of [[skin ]] which offers two layers of protectionto prevent [[keratinization]] and maintain sensitivity.

At birth, the [[foreskin]] is usually attached to the [[glans ]] (head) of the [[penis ]] by a [[synechia]], akin to how a fingernail is attached to a finger.<ref>{{REFjournal

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}}</ref> The [[preputial cavity sac]] is sealed by the synechia so it cannot be infected.

In infancy, the foreskin's tubular neck (prepucial orifice) is often long and narrow while the [[Dartos]] sphincter muscle in the tip of the [[foreskin ]] keeps its opening closed. This acts as an extension of the [[urethra]].<ref>{{REFjournal

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Together, these properties prevent the entry of contaminants.<ref name="fleiss-hodges-vanhowe1998">{{REFjournal |last=Fleiss |first=P. |author-link=Paul M. Fleiss |last2=Hodges |first2=F. |author2-link=Frederick M. Hodges |last3=Van Howe |first3=R.S. |author3-link=Robert S. Van Howe |title=Immunological functions of the human prepuce |journal=Sex Trans Infect |date=FleissP HodgesF VanHoweRS 1998-10 |volume=74 |issue=5 |pages=364-67 |url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1758142/pdf/v074p00364.pdf |quote= |pubmedID=10195034 |pubmedCID= |DOI= |accessdate=2019-10-15}}</ref> The [[foreskin ]] protects the infant [[glans penis ]] from ammonia in diapers (nappies) and prevents meatal ulcer and [[meatal stenosis]].<ref>{{REFjournal |last=Gairdner |first=Douglas |author-link=Douglas Gairdner |etal=no |title=The fate of the foreskin: a study of circumcision |trans-title= |language= |journal=Br Med J |location= |date=GairdnerDM 1949-12-24 |volume=2 |issue= |pages=1433-7 |url=http://www.cirp.org/library/general/gairdner/ |quote= |pubmedID=15408299 |pubmedCID=2051968 |DOI=10.1136/bmj.2.4642.1433 |accessdate=2019-01-10}}</ref> <ref name="vanhowe2006">{{REFjournal

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Natural secretions of oil are achieved by sebaceous glands which are abound in the [[foreskin]]'s inner lining, these are not present in the [[glans penis]].<ref name="hyman-brownstein1969">{{REFjournal

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}}</ref> They are also present in the eye lid eyelid and perform the same function in both places. They secrete the oils necessary to keep the [[glans ]] surface soft, moist, smooth, warm, sensitive, and with a healthy glistening red or purple color. This moisturizer also maintains PH balance, and optimal cleanliness. This is required to keep the surface of the glans healthy and clean via the cleaning effects of mucous secretions. Again, this function is analogous to the eye lid. The [[glans penis ]] is meant to be an internal organ covered and protected from the outside world.

In the genitally [[intact ]] [[penis ]] the [[urine ]] stream flushes out the [[urethra ]] and [[foreskin ]] of foreign microbes. In healthy individuals, [[urine ]] is sterile and has a disinfectant quality. Researchers have demonstrated that the swirling action of [[urine ]] as it rushes through the [[foreskin ]] flushes it out effortlessly and naturally.<ref name="parkash-jeykumar1973">{{REFjournal

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Though [[urine ]] passes through the [[foreskin ]] every day, the inner foreskin is remarkably free of urea — a by-product of liver metabolism that is secreted in [[urine]]. Studies demonstrate that washings from the foreskin are rich in fructose, acid phosphatase, and mucin, but never urea. It appears that the secretions of [[seminal vesicles]], prostate, and urethral [[urethra]]l mucous glands, collectively or individually, keep the foreskin clear and clean as well.<ref>{{REFjournal

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The idea that the foreskin is "dirty" or "unclean" is a scientifically unfounded superstition. The [[intact ]] [[penis ]] is naturally clean and maintains a level of hygiene that is optimal when compared to a [[penis ]] that has been altered by [[circumcision]].<ref name="fleiss-hodges-vanhowe1998" />

In comparison, due to the open wounds and raw [[bleeding ]] flesh, the [[circumcised ]] [[penis ]] needs much more care after [[circumcision]]. The surgically externalized glans is dirty rather then clean because of constant exposure to dirt, abrasion and contaminants.<ref name="vanhowe1997">{{REFjournal

|firstinit=R.S.RS

|url=https://bjui-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1046/j.1464-410X.1997.00467.x

}}</ref> [[Circumcised ]] boys are also found to be more likely to develop [[balanitis]], [[meatitis]], coronal adhesions , and [[meatal stenosis]].<ref name="vanhowe1997"/> Excessive washing and the use of soap inside the [[foreskin]] should be avoided.<ref name="birley1993">{{REFjournal |last=Birley |init=HDL |author-link= |last2=Walker |init2=MM |author2-link= |last3=Luzzi |init3=GA |author3-link= |last4=Bell |init4=R |author4-link= |etal=yes |title=Clinical Features and management of recurrent balanitis; association with atopy and genital washing] |trans-title= |language= |journal=Genitourin Med |location= |date=1993-10 |volume=69 |issue=5 |pages=400-3 |url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1195128/pdf/genitmed00029-0074.pdf |quote= |pubmedID=8244363 |pubmedCID=1195128 |DOI=10.1136/sti.69.5.400 |accessdate=2021-03-20}}</ref>

The foreskin's inner fold and the [[glans ]] of the [[penis ]] are comprised of [[Preputial mucosa| mucous membrane]] tissue. These are also present in your eyes, mouth, and all other bodily orifices including the female genitals. These are the first line of immunological defense for the body's orifices. These mucous membranes perform many immunological and hygienic functions.

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There is also some research to suggest that lysozyme may protect against [[HIV ]] infection.<ref>{{REFweb

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It is also very important to note that [[Langerhans cells ]] that are present in the [[foreskin ]] produce ''Langerin'', a substance that has been proven to kill human immunodefiency viris immunodeficiency virus ([[HIV]]) on contact.<ref>{{REFjournal |last=de Witte |first=L. |last2=Nabatov |first2=A. |last3=Pion |first3=M. |DeWitte etal=yes |url=http://www.cirp.org/news/healthday2007-03-05/ |title=Langerin is a natural barrier to HIV-1 transmission by Langerhans cells |journal=Nat Med |date=2007-03 |volume=13 |issue=3 |pages=367-371 |accessdate=2019-10-20}}</ref>

<!--In infancy, simple sugars in breast milk, like antibacterial oligosaccharides, are acquired from the mother's milk and excreted in urine. University studies have shown that these substances cling to the mucosal lining of the inner foreskin and protect against urinary tract infections,<ref>Hanson LA, Karlsson B, Jalil F, ''et al''. Antiviral and antibacterial factors in human milk. In{{LINKS}}* {{REFweb |url=http: Hanson LA, ed//www. ''Biology of Human Milk''intactaus. New York Raven Press; 1988. pp. 141-57<org/information/ref> as well as infections in other parts of the body.<ref>Coppa GV, Gabrielli O, Giorgi P, Catassi C, Montanari MP, Veraldo PE, Nichols BL. Preliminary study of breast feeding and bacterial adhesion to uroepithelial cells. ''Lancet'' 1990 Mar 10;335(8689):569-71.<functionsoftheforeskin/ref> Babies excrete in their urine about 300-500 milligrams of oligosaccharides each day. These compounds prevent virulent strains of ''Escherichia coli'' from adhering to the mucosal lining |title=Functions of the entire urinary tract, including the foreskin and glans. For these reasons breastForeskin |last=Helard |first=Lou |author-milk is highly efficacious at preventing UTI.<ref>Gothefors L, Olling S, Winberg J. Breastfeeding and biological properties of faecal ''E. coli'' strains. ''Acta Paediatr Scand'' 1975 Nov;54(6)link=Lou Helard |publisher=Intact Australia |website=http:807-12.</ref> Rigorous studies have repeatedly demonstrated that breast feeding protects against urinary tract infections.<ref>Mårild S. Breastfeeding and Urinary Tract Infections. ''Lancet'' 1990;336:942.</ref> <ref>Pisacane A, ''et al''www. Breastfeeding and urinary tract infectionintactaus. ''The Lancet'', July 7, 1990, p50 </ref> <ref>Pisacane A, Graziano L, Mazzarella G, ''et al''. Breastorg |date=2014-08-01 |accessdate=2020-feeding and urinary tract infection. ''J Pediatr'' 1992;120:8706-89.</ref>05}}