What care is appropriate after a circumcision?

• A. Keep area clean and dry; apply petroleum jelly to diaper area as advised; monitor for bleeding and signs of infection
• B. Don't wash the area until it heals
• C. Apply hydrogen peroxide to the area daily
• D. Remove diaper for several days

Answer: (A)

Protecting the healing wound is the priority after a circumcision. Keeping the area clean and dry helps prevent irritation and infection, and applying a thin layer of petroleum jelly to the diaper area as advised creates a barrier so the diaper won’t stick to the healing skin and cause reopening. It’s important to monitor for any signs that healing isn’t progressing normally—such as ongoing or heavy bleeding, increasing redness or warmth, swelling, drainage, a foul odor, or fever—and to contact a healthcare provider if these occur. Hydrogen peroxide should be avoided because it can irritate the healing tissue and slow recovery. Follow caregiver instructions about diaper care, typically keeping the diaper on with a gentle, loose fit to protect the wound, rather than removing the diaper for several days. If anything seems off, or if instructions differ, rely on the clinician’s specific guidance.