Is cicumcision a cure?

[o2bzen]

My 21 month old son is intact and his forskin was not retractable at birth (of course). However he has had redness just inside the folds of his forskin off and on his whole life. At every well baby check-up I mentioned my concern and his primary care Dr told me it was fine and to just leave it alone. I did. I never tried to retract it and only washed over it as I washed his groin. Occasionaly a small amount of shmegma would come out and I would wipe it away. Last week, after his bath, I was drying him and he got a large erection and the head of his penis popped out. I was very suprised as I did not expect this to happen for some time. Then I was disgusted. The head of his penis was covered in a dried on whiteness. At first I feared thrush, but after examining him I found it to be old shmegma. So I put him back in the tub, let him soak, gently retracted the forskin and first tried cleaning it with a mild soap, he freaked out, I immediatly rinsed it and found that it didn't do anything to remove the coating, so I then used an organic body oil and let him soak. In about ten minutes I was able to clean the area. The head at this time was very red and a little puffy. After cleaning, it still had quite a foul odor, like dirty gym socks, Yeast. I treat with one swab of gentian violet and take him to a RIFE healer and have him RIFE'd for yeast's and urithritis. He has a reaction to all, but the next day the appearance of the head was almost normal. At this time I notice the inflamation (inflammation) of the urethra opening. Back to be RIFE'd. He has a reaction to a Strep strain that grows in the urethra. I schedule an appointment with the uroligist the next day, thinking we need antibiotics. I take him in the doctor looks for one minute and says he must be circumcised. Not a single swab has been done, no urine test, nothing. Is this right? Would this be your recomendation with no testing? We are both suffering from  eczma (eczema) right now and I've read that can contribute to penile skin problems. What should I do? I do not want to schedule my baby for  unneccesary surgery. Thank you for your insight in this case.

[Kevin Pho, MD]

I cannot make any personal recommendations without examination.  

That being said, a circumcision is not an unreasonable option if the tip of the penis has evidence of repeated infections.  The foreskin can make that area difficult to clean in certain babies, which obviously would increase the risk of infection.  

If there is concern about the circumcision recommendation, you can obtain a second urological opinion - perhaps at a major academic medical center.

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin, M.D.
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