Changes

In Ask Dr. Sears an accurate discussion of care of the infant foreskin. Parents and doctors need to keep in mind that the [[foreskin ]] of an intact child should NEVER be forcibly retracted.

During the first few years of a male's life, the inside fold of his foreskin is attached to his [[glans]] by the [[synechia]] , very much the way the eyelids of a newborn kitten are sealed closed. The tissue that connects these two surfaces dissolves naturally over time - a process that should never be hurried.

The Greek word [[phimosis ]] means muzzled and is used -- often incorrectly -- to refer to a foreskin that cannot be retracted (for whatever reason). A comprehensive discussion of phimosis is beyond the scope of this pamphlet. What parents should know is that almost all babies have non-retractable foreskins, that this is normal, and that the foreskins of most males become retractable by the time they are 18. It is also important to know that many adult males with non-retractable foreskins are perfectly happy with them that way. Adult males with non-retractable foreskins who would rather their foreskins were retractable can easily and safely stretch their foreskin opening until it is large enough to slip comfortably over their glans. A non-retractable foreskin is not, in itself, an indication for circumcision.

Small tears in the opening of the foreskin can heal to form non-elastic scar tissue, passibly possibly causing acquired phimosis.

The foreskin can get "stuck" behind the glans ([[paraphimosis]]). By squeezing the glans, the foreskin can be brought forward again, without circumcision.