You've heard of penile adhesions following circumcision, but how should they be properly taken care of?
Adhesions (or skin bridges) are the result of two raw tissues healing together. With circumcision, the cut skin will try to heal back and can possibly attach itself to the penis, creating a skin bridge. This is why some doctors recommend putting Vaseline on the glans for a week to ten days after circumcision (which will prevent the two structures from reattaching.) But what happens if this doesn't work and adhesions form?
It is likely that your doctor will advise you to rip the tissues apart, which can cause pain, bleeding, and scarring. It may be best to see what his reaction is before attempting to do this. If it's painful and traumatic for him, it would be best to leave it alone for now. We're learning that adhesions can sometimes resolve themselves as the boy approaches puberty and begins to 'fiddle' with his penis. In boys that are not circumcised, the foreskin will start to separate as the boy pulls on his foreskin (boys pull the foreskin out and away from their bodies, not toward their bodies.) Note: only the boy himself should be the one pulling. Everyone else (doctors, parents, etc.) need to leave it alone.
If the adhesions do not resolve on their own by the time the boy approaches puberty, topical creams can be prescribed which will weaken the tissue and help break down the adhesions. If the topical creams do not work, the adhesions can be lysed after the boy goes through puberty (18-25 years) when his penis is done developing. At that time, he will also be able to understand what is happening to his body and can have proper pain medication. Of course, if problems develop prior to puberty, they would have to be dealt with when they present themselves.
The important thing to remember is: adhesions do not need to be immediately dealt with in young children or forcefully ripped apart. As said before, it is possible that the adhesions can resolve themselves. Do not feel pressured by anyone, even your doctor, to take immediate action. If needed, get a second opinion from an intact-friendly doctor first.
Adhesions (or skin bridges) are the result of two raw tissues healing together. With circumcision, the cut skin will try to heal back and can possibly attach itself to the penis, creating a skin bridge. This is why some doctors recommend putting Vaseline on the glans for a week to ten days after circumcision (which will prevent the two structures from reattaching.) But what happens if this doesn't work and adhesions form?
It is likely that your doctor will advise you to rip the tissues apart, which can cause pain, bleeding, and scarring. It may be best to see what his reaction is before attempting to do this. If it's painful and traumatic for him, it would be best to leave it alone for now. We're learning that adhesions can sometimes resolve themselves as the boy approaches puberty and begins to 'fiddle' with his penis. In boys that are not circumcised, the foreskin will start to separate as the boy pulls on his foreskin (boys pull the foreskin out and away from their bodies, not toward their bodies.) Note: only the boy himself should be the one pulling. Everyone else (doctors, parents, etc.) need to leave it alone.
If the adhesions do not resolve on their own by the time the boy approaches puberty, topical creams can be prescribed which will weaken the tissue and help break down the adhesions. If the topical creams do not work, the adhesions can be lysed after the boy goes through puberty (18-25 years) when his penis is done developing. At that time, he will also be able to understand what is happening to his body and can have proper pain medication. Of course, if problems develop prior to puberty, they would have to be dealt with when they present themselves.
The important thing to remember is: adhesions do not need to be immediately dealt with in young children or forcefully ripped apart. As said before, it is possible that the adhesions can resolve themselves. Do not feel pressured by anyone, even your doctor, to take immediate action. If needed, get a second opinion from an intact-friendly doctor first.
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