Patient's question:
There is a flaky substance inside the foreskin. If it's not washed for a day or two, it starts to smell. It never smelled before, it wasn't smelly but it was sticky, and no matter how I washed it, it wouldn't come off. Later, I found out it was smegma, but I don't know how to clean it. Can anyone tell me how to do it?Doctor's answer:
When taking a shower, retract the foreskin, lather some shower soap, gently rub the glans, and then rinse thoroughly with warm water. If you are doing it for the first time, you may feel pain and itching. This is because the glans is usually covered by the foreskin and becomes very sensitive once exposed to air, causing discomfort. It helps to remove accumulated dirt and sebum. Since the inner lining of the foreskin is thinner and more moist than the outer layer, it is more sensitive to chemical cleansers. Therefore, when cleaning the foreskin and glans, simply rinse with clean water once a day is sufficient. If you use soap or body wash and fail to rinse off the foam completely, many people may experience an allergic reaction to the foreskin and glans. In such cases, you can visit a local hospital for examination.