Uncircumcised Penis (Pediatrics)

An uncircumcised penis has skin that covers the end of the penis. This skin protects the glans or tip of the penis. This handout will tell you how to care for an uncircumcised penis.

Home Care

For infants and young children wash the skin on the end of the penis with soap and water during his bath. The skin at the tip of the penis will not pull back or retract until your child is older. Do not force the skin back. This can cause bleeding and scarring. The skin at the tip of the penis starts to separate from the glans of the penis on its own. This can happen by age 5, or not until puberty.

In older children and teens if the skin can be pulled back or retracted, clean underneath often.

How To Clean Under the Skin of the Penis

1. Gently pull the skin back.

2. Clean with soap and water.

3. Rinse soap off and dry area.

4. Pull the skin back over the tip of the penis.

When to Call

• Your child is having pain with urination.

• The end of the penis is red, itchy or swollen.

Who to Call

If you have any problems, please call your clinic or doctor. 

Pediatric Urology Clinic

8:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday-Friday

608-263-6420

After hours, nights and weekends, the clinic number will be answered by the paging operator. Ask for the Urology resident on call. Give your name and number with the area code. The doctor will call you back. 

The toll-free number is 1-800-323-8942.