How to maintain “Penile Hygiene”
In india, we still grow up in conservative societies where parents find it difficult to discuss penile hygiene with their kid. It won’t be a lie to say that most parents themselves don’t know about it. So, most kids grow up to be adults without knowing how to maintain penile hygiene. This situation predisposes them to frequent penile skin infections as well as Urinary tract infections. So, today we would like to bring out few points that should be taken care by parents/adults to prevent recurrent penile skin infections.
First and foremost is to develop a habit of cleaning the top of the penis head by retracting the foreskin adequately during bathing time. Simple lukewarm water is enough. There is absolutely no need to use any kind of soap and Dettol/ Savlon use is a strict NO.
Young kids may have tight foreskin i/v/o physiological phimosis upto 4 years of age. In that case, gentle back and forth retraction of foreskin should be practised every day during bathing to loosen up the adhesions and help in maintaining a good hygiene.
Adults should make sure to clean and wash penile area after any sexual contact.
Diabetic patients especially have to maintain a strict sugar control along with regular cleaning of penile skin area to prevent recurrent episodes of infection of penile skin.
These points if well taken care of will help you to mainatain a good hygiene and prevent recurrent infections!