Patient's question:
Medical Description: Sometimes there is occasional pain inside the penis. During physical examinations, there has been a trace of blood (bld) 2+ in the urine. Treatment history and effectiveness: This trace of blood appeared after the circumcision surgery in 2008. Before the surgery in 2008, there was none. The physical examination reports from 2009 and 2010 also showed this. Desired help: I have recently noticed the issue of cleaning the penis. I have always believed that washing the penis with soap has a disinfectant and cleaning effect, so I have been washing it with soap every day. Is there any potential harm in doing this (I have been doing it for 20 years)?Doctor's answer:
Due to long-term stimulation by smegma, if proper hygiene is not maintained, the local skin tissue's defense function may weaken, making it more susceptible to infections from infectious pathogens. It is clear that developing the habit of cleaning the external genitalia is extremely important for men.When showering, retract the foreskin back from the glans and remove the accumulated dirt and sebum. Since the inner surface of the foreskin is thinner and more delicate than the outer surface, it is more sensitive to chemical cleaning agents. Therefore, when cleaning the foreskin and glans, simply rinsing with clean water once a day is sufficient. If soaps or body washes are used and the foam is not thoroughly rinsed away, many people may experience allergic reactions to the foreskin and glans, leading to discomfort. If inflammation occurs in the foreskin and glans due to the accumulation of dirt, specialized external genital disinfectant solutions can be used for soaking and scrubbing. In severe cases, consulting a specialist doctor is recommended.