Infant circumcision involves the surgical removal of the foreskin covering the tip of the penis. Observing the healing process can be unsettling for parents, as the post-procedure appearance differs significantly from a fully healed penis. This guide describes what a healing circumcised penis looks like, focusing on the changes parents should expect immediately after the procedure and in the days that follow. Understanding this normal progression helps parents manage the recovery period.
What to Expect Immediately After the Procedure
Within the first 24 hours, the penis will show signs of a recent surgical procedure. Mild to moderate redness and swelling of the penile tip (glans) are expected. The glans will be fully exposed and may appear bright red, glossy, or sometimes a darker purple color due to the skin’s new exposure.
A small amount of blood staining on the first diaper is common, but active, persistent dripping is not. The penis is often covered with a sterile dressing or a thick layer of petroleum jelly to prevent the raw tissue from sticking to the diaper. If the Mogen or Gomco clamp methods were used, the incision line may be visible just behind the head of the penis.
If the Plastibell ring method was used, a thin plastic ring will be secured around the head of the penis, which may be covered or left exposed. The ring should fit snugly without compressing the shaft of the penis. The entire area may appear bruised, and the infant may be fussy during the first few hours as the local anesthetic wears off.
The Progression of Normal Healing
The healing process generally takes seven to ten days, though a full return to a completely normal appearance can take a few weeks. Within the first 24 to 48 hours, a yellowish or off-white film will begin to form over the glans and the incision line. This film is granulation tissue, which acts as a protective scab. It is important to note that this is not pus or a sign of infection, but a normal part of the biological healing process.
This yellowish coating can persist for up to two weeks and should not be wiped or scraped away, as it protects the sensitive underlying tissue. Swelling and redness typically peak within the first three days and should begin to subside afterward. If the swelling does not decrease after three days, or if it worsens, seek medical attention.
If the Plastibell method was used, the plastic ring usually separates and falls off on its own between five and twelve days after the procedure. The remaining tissue may look raw, red, or have some white or yellow discharge for a few days after the ring detaches. Routine care, such as applying a generous amount of petroleum jelly to the incision site with every diaper change, is necessary to prevent the healing skin from adhering to the diaper. This routine care is essential for proper recovery.
When to Call the Doctor
Parents should monitor for persistent, active bleeding that continues beyond a few drops or soaks an area on the diaper larger than a quarter. While minor spotting is expected, continuous dripping or a large blood stain suggests a problem with clotting or the incision site. Immediate medical evaluation is required. This type of bleeding is the most urgent concern following the procedure.
Signs of infection include spreading redness from the penis shaft toward the abdomen, a fever, or a thick, foul-smelling discharge. True infection often presents with green or thick pus, which must be distinguished from the normal, thin, yellowish healing film. Parents should also monitor for significant swelling that obstructs the urinary opening or if the baby has not produced a wet diaper within eight to twelve hours after the procedure. Lack of urination is a serious sign of obstruction.
If the Plastibell ring has not detached after the fourteenth day, contact the doctor. Immediate medical attention is necessary if the ring slides down the shaft of the penis (proximal migration), or if the head of the penis appears dark blue or black. These visual changes require urgent assessment to prevent tissue damage.