MemorialCare - Your Guide to Postpartum and Newborn Care

PENIS CARE

DIAPER RASH Diaper rash is most often caused by urine and stool irritating the skin in your baby’s diaper area. The rash can appear pink or red and is usually not a serious problem. Prevention • Change your baby’s diaper frequently and as soon as possible once it is dirty • Clean diaper area with alcohol-free, fragrance-free wipes or warm water and mild soap • Pat diaper area dry with a soft cloth after cleaning • Apply unscented petroleum jelly or zinc-based diaper cream during each change • Make sure your baby’s diaper isn’t too tight; it’s best to allow some breathing room Treatment Even if you’ve done everything possible to prevent skin irritation, some babies may still develop diaper rash. What can help • Give your baby a daily bath to remove debris, irritants, and possible bacteria • Apply a very thick layer (like frosting on a cupcake) of diaper cream • Let your baby spend time out of a diaper to increase air flow and help the rash heal

Circumcised Penis • Apply gentle pressure if you see any bleeding • Gently clean area with only warm water until it heals (7 to 10 days) • If instructed by your health care provider, place petroleum jelly over penis head (glans); this helps prevent the diaper from sticking to wound as it heals • For circumcision procedures utilizing a plastic device, leave the device intact until it falls off on its own • Report any signs of infection (redness, fever, swelling, discharge, odor) to health care provider right away Intact penis • With each diaper change, gently clean only what you can see of the penis with diaper wipes or warm water • Never pull, manipulate, or retract the foreskin in any way • Foreskin will naturally separate from penis tip in time; from a few weeks to a few years • After separation, foreskin can safely be pulled back (retracted) from the penis tip • Most children can retract foreskin by age 5 but others not until they are teenagers

WARNING !

Signs & Symptoms

Call your baby’s health care provider immediately if your baby has: • A diaper rash that doesn’t go away or worsens after 2 to 3 days • Blisters, peeling skin, or pus-filled sores that ooze or are crusty • A lot of pain in the rash area • A fever in addition to the rash • Taken antibiotics and rash is shiny, bright red, or pink

Never forcibly pull the foreskin back from the tip of the penis. It could cause pain, bleeding, or a painful tear in the skin.

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Your Guide to Postpartum and Newborn Care