[Medical Q&A] How does smegma form in little boys and what health problems may it cause?

[Medical Q&A] How does smegma form in little boys and what health problems may it cause?

Planner: Chinese Medical Association

Reviewer: Deng Chunhua, Chief Physician, First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University

Just as the skin on other parts of the body secretes sebum, the sebaceous glands of the foreskin also secrete sebum. When phimosis or prepuce is too long, the foreskin cannot be turned over for cleaning, and sebum will accumulate in the gap between the inner surface of the foreskin and the glans penis. In addition, urine will also seep into this gap and react chemically with the sebum to form smegma and produce odor. Smegma that accumulates for a long time will become a hard, lumpy substance similar to bean dregs. Smegma is more common in childhood, and its main causes are phimosis and prepuce that are too long, which make it impossible to thoroughly clean the inner surface of the foreskin and the glans penis, thus forming smegma. Adults generally do not have phimosis, and even if they have a long foreskin, smegma will usually not form as long as they maintain good cleaning habits.

Smegma can irritate the foreskin and glans penis, causing chronic inflammation. If acute infection occurs, it can cause redness, swelling, and pus discharge from the foreskin and glans penis. The long-term presence of smegma may also increase the risk of penile cancer. Therefore, it is recommended to remove smegma regularly to keep the reproductive organs clean and hygienic.

<<:  【Medical Q&A】What is the glycemic index? How does it affect your blood sugar levels?

>>:  [Medical Q&A] What should pregnant mothers do if they can’t sleep?

Recommend

Will an excessively long foreskin cause harm to sexual partners?

Author: Yuan Yifeng, deputy chief physician of th...

What to do if your menstrual flow decreases

Reduced menstrual volume is a common phenomenon n...

What is the meaning of women's double broken palm

For a man with broken palms on both hands, his fa...

Can I have an abortion if I have anemia?

In modern society, as people's sexual concept...

What are the symptoms of uterine tumors?

We all know that if we are sick, it will cause mo...

I haven't had my period for more than 2 months after the abortion.

The uterus is damaged after an abortion, and the ...

Precautions before and after hysterography

Contrast agents can be used to enhance ultrasound...

Why does it still itch when the cleanliness level is 2?

If women want to know whether they have vaginitis...

Is freshly squeezed juice really healthy?

The weather is getting hotter in summer, and all ...

How to determine ovulation period?

Ovulation is a physiological process that every h...

Breast nodules category 4a generally benign

What does it mean that breast mass category 4a is...

What are the dangers of having sex during pregnancy?

The confinement period generally refers to one mo...

Rope skipping can promote follicle development

Skipping rope is a common sport. It is relatively...