DELICATE SUBJECT
Dear Dr.Bear,
I have some concern for my son. Today after picking my son up from day-care, I pulled back the foreskin around his penis to clean him and noticed around the rim, circumcised area, it was very red and irritated. He is only 6 months old and has not discovered it so its not from him pulling at it. He squirmed and whimpered when the baby wipe hit it. Does he need to be seen or what can I do about it?
Sincerely,
TLC
Dear TLC,
I suggest a visit to the doctor. It may be as simple as requiring better cleaning, and more air during the day, or be the first sign of an infection. Be sure to see your pediatrician before anything progresses- this is a sensitive area. In the meantime, I suggest cleaning the area with mild soap, lots of water, followed by 10-15 minutes of airing, then loose diapering, and then frequent diaper changes-- maybe twice as often as you have been doing. If you want to put medicine on it, apply liberal amounts of Vaseline or A and D ointment.
Sincerely,
Dr. Bear
